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  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    There has been months of speculation and hype about new iPhone X models rumored to be coming. “Today, we’re going to take iPhone X to the next level,” CEO Tim Cook said during the presentation and unveiling of new iPhone models.

    The iPhone X released last year was a total rethinking of the iPhone with features like Face ID and a edge to edge screen. Anticipation was high among iPhone fans and the day is finally here, and we have all the recaps.  Apple finally took the wraps off its new iPhones, including the iPhone Xs Max, its largest iPhone ever. With 3 new phone announcements, let’s take a look at what makes them different and sort through all the new details and features.

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

    First off Apple  introduced the 5.8-inch iPhone Xs, which also has an OLED screen. The iPhone Xs is made of surgical-grade steel, is covered in new glass and comes in gold, silver and space gray. With the new A12 chip, more on this later, it allows the storage to be increased to 512 gb. The Xs will have 3 size options, 64gb, 256, or 512gb. The smaller 64gb is cutting a little close these days but 256gb should still be more than enough for 99% of the users out there.

    The iPhone XS will also incorporate more real-world machine learning for features such as augmented reality and FaceTime. The iOS upgrade will also open the door for Siri shortcuts, which users can customize.  For all the Instagram photographers out there the back camera has a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera and 12-megapixel telephoto camera, along with improvements to flash. For the selfie lovers the front camera will feature 7 megapixels.

    Both devices are identical with only one difference, the iPhone Xs is 5.8 inches, the iPhone Xs max is 6.5 inches. There also have been improvements to the overall strength of the glass screen, which is a great improvement for those of us with butter fingers.

    The iPhone XR

    Alongside with the Xs models Apple also revealed it’s midrange iPhone model, the XR.  The XR is the  bargain model that will be more affordable with most of the same features as the Xs. The iPhone XR has an LCD display called liquid retina and it features a 6.1-inch screen. It’s the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, but with a larger screen because of it’s edge to edge screen.  The iPhone XR will also feature Face ID, and include the A12 Bionic chip like the XS. The big difference among these phones is the back camera: a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera for the XR. The front camera will feature the same true depth features as the XS.

    On battery life, XR will offer an hour and a half more on one charge than the iPhone 8 Plus. Specs-wise, the XR is notable for matching many of the specs of the new XS, but one notable omission is 3D Touch, which  isn’t available with XR model. 

    While the 6.1-inch display seems large, the reduced bezels above and below the display  will make the XR slightly smaller than a traditional “Plus” iPhone and only slightly larger than the 5.8-inch iPhone XS. The iPhone XR will be available in a variety of colors including black, white, blue, coral, yellow and red.

    Pricing

    The iPhone XR will come in three sizes: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, and start at $749. Pre-orders arrive October 19, and ships October 26. XS available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB starting at $999. The XS Max will start at $1,099. Both Xs models are available for pre-order immediately with shipping to begin on September 21st.


  • 5G Iphone, No Not Yet

    5G Iphone, No Not Yet

    We have all read the 5 part dissertation of the 5G network here at Good.find.guru. We know 2018 is going to be the year that 5G networks finally set up and start our next stage in human evolution. 5G smartphones will be expanding rapidly in 2019. WE are all really thinking, that’s great an all but it doesn’t matter till there is a 5G iPhone. Well from what we are hearing today It’s going to take until at least 2020 for Apple to make a 5G iPhone available.

    Apple is never the first to adapt the new networks, but they are the ones that make it the standard. Apple, has never been very interested in putting cutting-edge wireless tech into its phones first, they want to be able to offer 5G when 5G has the network penetration to be completely utilized. The benefits of 5G, like lower latency and gigabit speeds, aren’t particularly useful for smartphones right now, and Apple would rather wait for coverage to be widely adopted and implemented before trying to integrate a new technology. Completely understandable.

    Then we get this bit of news Nokia on Wednesday announced a flat, 3 euro ($3.48) per-device licensing fee for its 5G standards-essential patents. At the same time we are hearing that Ericsson will be charging between $2.50 and $5 based on the cost of a device. Now Qualcomm has said they are licensing its 5G patents at 2.275 percent of a single-mode phone’s total price, and 3.25 percent for multi-mode phones, capping at $400 of course. If you do the math a 5G smartphone could potentially be saddled with over $21 in combined royalty payments. Around $13 will go to Qualcomm regardless of any current spats.

    We have not heard from Intel and Huawei yet either on the rate for the 5G chips. While volume fee arrangements could reduce the price the other companies are going to try to push the price up. We do not specifically known what Apple pays per iPhone for 4G technologies. The licensing isn’t as simple as what has been worked out for 5G technologies. The cost is thought to be much higher than the approximate $21 expected for 5G.

    Apple and Qualcomm Delay in the 5G iPhone

    Apple and Qualcomm have been legally battling this issue since 2016. Even then Apple complained that Qualcomm’s practice of charging royalties on a phone’s entire cost was excessive. They say they should be disallowed since many of the patents involved are part of industry standards. Qualcomm in turn shut off a flow of payments. Apple described them as partial rebates on the royalties. This lead Apple to sue Qualcomm and stop paying royalties. In Turn Apple has designing its 2018 mobile devices to work without any Qualcomm chips.  This year’s iPhones are set to use Intel modems exclusively. They are nearly certainly going to skip 5G this time around, since the standard was only finalized in June, and U.S. carriers are only just beginning to deploy coverage.

    The Final Thought

    These licensing fees will have to be paid no matter who provides the actual 5G modem in Apple’s future smartphone. They aren’t related to hardware, but cover the cost of using patents on the 5G standard itself. So for Now we will just bite our tongues and wait for the 5G iPhone. Between you and me ill pay and extra $21 for the 5G.

  • iPhone 9 Rumor Roundup

    iPhone 9 Rumor Roundup

    If you’re like us, you’re interested in hearing what Apple has planned for the next wave of iPhone releases. Rumors are swirling that we can expect to see a less-expensive full-screen iPhone this year, likely even next month. The projected phone is rumored to be called the iPhone 9, putting it as the step between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X, both of which launched last year.

    iPhone 9 Rumor Roundup

    What to Expect

    Rumor has it that the iPhone 9 will launch in September, likely alongside an update to the iPhone X. The iPhone X successor, likely to be called the iPhone 11 or iPhone XI, will likely be much more expensive and sport an OLED screen. The 9, by contrast, is likely to be much more affordable and sport an LED screen. This means that the image quality of the 9 will be inferior, but it will allow for its lower price tag.

    Name Rumors

    It is also likely that the iPhone line will adopt a similar naming convention as the Mac and iPad lines. Currently, neither Mac nor iPad sport any model numbers; instead, they are identified by the year they released. This could happen with the iPhone, with the smaller, non-OLED line becoming simple “new iPhone,” while the larger, OLED line keeps the X after its name. So, you would say something like “I have the new 2018 iPhone,” or “I have an iPhone X from 2018.” This is much cleaner than the current mess of numbers, thanks in large part to Apple skipping 9 when they released the 8 and X last year.

    Price Rumors

    Rumor also hold that the iPhone 9, or whatever it ends up being called, will cost somewhere between $600-$700. That makes it rather affordable for an iPhone, but means it’s still somewhat pricey. However, it makes sense that a mainline Apple phone would be expensive, even if it is the “affordable” option. iPhones have become a symbol of status and a statement of style, and they seem to sell at any price point.

    When to Expect It

    If previous trends hold true, we can expect to see this year’s iPhones around September. This is roughly the time of year Apple launches new devices every year, so we can expect that to stay true. Expect to hear more news in the coming weeks as Apple gears up for the release push. If the iPhone X is any indication, Apple is looking to keep redefining the smartphone industry. They launched the whole thing back in 2007, after all, so it only makes sense that they would keep pushing the envelope.

  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    There has been months of speculation and hype about new iPhone X models rumored to be coming. “Today, we’re going to take iPhone X to the next level,” CEO Tim Cook said during the presentation and unveiling of new iPhone models.

    The iPhone X released last year was a total rethinking of the iPhone with features like Face ID and a edge to edge screen. Anticipation was high among iPhone fans and the day is finally here, and we have all the recaps.  Apple finally took the wraps off its new iPhones, including the iPhone Xs Max, its largest iPhone ever. With 3 new phone announcements, let’s take a look at what makes them different and sort through all the new details and features.

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

    First off Apple  introduced the 5.8-inch iPhone Xs, which also has an OLED screen. The iPhone Xs is made of surgical-grade steel, is covered in new glass and comes in gold, silver and space gray. With the new A12 chip, more on this later, it allows the storage to be increased to 512 gb. The Xs will have 3 size options, 64gb, 256, or 512gb. The smaller 64gb is cutting a little close these days but 256gb should still be more than enough for 99% of the users out there.

    The iPhone XS will also incorporate more real-world machine learning for features such as augmented reality and FaceTime. The iOS upgrade will also open the door for Siri shortcuts, which users can customize.  For all the Instagram photographers out there the back camera has a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera and 12-megapixel telephoto camera, along with improvements to flash. For the selfie lovers the front camera will feature 7 megapixels.

    Both devices are identical with only one difference, the iPhone Xs is 5.8 inches, the iPhone Xs max is 6.5 inches. There also have been improvements to the overall strength of the glass screen, which is a great improvement for those of us with butter fingers.

    The iPhone XR

    Alongside with the Xs models Apple also revealed it’s midrange iPhone model, the XR.  The XR is the  bargain model that will be more affordable with most of the same features as the Xs. The iPhone XR has an LCD display called liquid retina and it features a 6.1-inch screen. It’s the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, but with a larger screen because of it’s edge to edge screen.  The iPhone XR will also feature Face ID, and include the A12 Bionic chip like the XS. The big difference among these phones is the back camera: a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera for the XR. The front camera will feature the same true depth features as the XS.

    On battery life, XR will offer an hour and a half more on one charge than the iPhone 8 Plus. Specs-wise, the XR is notable for matching many of the specs of the new XS, but one notable omission is 3D Touch, which  isn’t available with XR model. 

    While the 6.1-inch display seems large, the reduced bezels above and below the display  will make the XR slightly smaller than a traditional “Plus” iPhone and only slightly larger than the 5.8-inch iPhone XS. The iPhone XR will be available in a variety of colors including black, white, blue, coral, yellow and red.

    Pricing

    The iPhone XR will come in three sizes: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, and start at $749. Pre-orders arrive October 19, and ships October 26. XS available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB starting at $999. The XS Max will start at $1,099. Both Xs models are available for pre-order immediately with shipping to begin on September 21st.


  • Apple’s iPhone X 6.1 Leak

    Apple’s iPhone X 6.1 Leak

    It is once again that time of year. Now usually I like to wait till August 1st to start sifting through the rumors and mock ups about the new iphones, but we have a bonafide and pretty legitimate iPhone X 6.1 Leak. Serial mobile leaker Benjamin Geskin today shared images depicting what he claims are dummy units of Apple’s upcoming 6.5-inch “iPhone X Plus” and mid-tier 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. Images of iPhone dummy units have become something of an annual tradition in the rumor mill and these pictures come at the expected time in the yearly iPhone cycle. Lets get this party started with a quick “what we know” and “what we want” for this new Iphone.

    Coming September Probably

    No official announcement has been made but according to long time industry insider…Me.. look for tuesday Sept 11th for a surprise apple announcement. They will likely announce the new Iphones at a keynote then. look for a a ship date of the new phone Sept 28th. There could be a curveball in the mix like last year. We didn’t see the new iPhone X 6.1 ship till Nov 3rd. That seems to be the exception and not the rule.

     

    What We Know About the iPhone X 6.1

    What we know so far is pretty slim and  slight. Apple CEO Tim Cook stated there would be a lock down on classified apple intel. However,  Apple will announce a 6.1 inch iPhone X. at a full 6.1 no bezel this will be the largest flagship screen available on any mobile phone. As of today we got a look at the first leaked image of this behemoth. (See Above).

    Apple’s next iPhone unveiling is still over a month and a half away, we already have a pretty solid grasp on what Apple’s 2018 iPhone lineup is going to bring to the table. As you’ve probably heard by now, Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup will likely consist of three brand new devices: a next-gen iPhone x , a 6.5-inch iPhone 9 Plus, and a 6.1-inch iPhone with an edgeless LCD display. In All likelihood it would make more sense to drop the Plus altogether and have an x and an x plus only.

     

    What We Want

    All we really want at this point is some subsidy on the price. Like we use to get, Iphone $199 every 2 years. One of the more intriguing rumors regarding Apple’s next-gen iPhone lineup has nothing to do with features but rather with price. The iPhone X’s $1,000 price point likely kept otherwise interested consumers from upgrading, Apple this year will reportedly price the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone somewhere in the $600 to $700 range.

    If this particular rumor pans out, it stands to reason that Apple will see an avalanche of upgrades as the device will likely prove to be incredibly popular among existing iPhone owners interested in a brand new form factor but not interested in breaking the bank. The cheaper price point, naturally, will come with a few tradeoffs. Most notably, the device will feature an LCD display as opposed to OLED. Further, the 6.1-inch iPhone may not ship with 3D Touch and may house less RAM. Design wise, the 6.1-inch iPhone may also feature thicker bezels than its iPhone X counterparts.

     

     

    The Final Thought

    Year after year its been minute upgrades, small changes, and adaptations but nothing revolutionary. They set the table for a big year this year with the iphone X. I always felt the X was a beta of their next phone and soon we will see the perfected device. All that said, what do we really want to see in our iphones? Holographic displays, flexible screens, stackability? Honestly at this point we have all we need, want or desire just make it better and give us one more cool this we don’t even know about.

     

  • Rumor Mill: What’s in Store for 2018 iPhones?

    Rumor Mill: What’s in Store for 2018 iPhones?

    It might feel like it wasn’t all that long ago that the iPhone 8 and iPhone X released. However, the rumor mill is in full swing as we approach the release of the 2018 iPhones. While Apple has been quiet with any hard details regarding the new phones, rumors abound. Today, we’re looking at the most likely rumors regarding 2018’s iPhone line up.

    iPhone X Plus

    A very likely model for this year would be a plus version of the iPhone X. Apple has often prioritized versions of their phones with huge screens for those who prefer a bigger handset. This purported phone would be similar to the current iPhone X in that it would sport an OLED display and be priced similarly. While no specifications have been given by Apple, these rumors seem likely given the company’s history.

    iPhone X2? Or iPhone 11?

    The new mainline iPhone hasn’t been named yet, but speculation abounds. Last year’s phone is phonetically referred to as the iPhone Ten, but some call it the iPhone “Ecks,” like the letter. However, some speculate that the next phone might be called the X2, or the “Ecks Two.” XS is another possible name, reverting to the S line of iPhones that follow big releases. iPhone 11 seems to be a likely candidate, as well.

    Rumors also maintain that the next mainline iPhone could have three rear-facing cameras. Such a setup could include a better zoom function and improved portrait mode. Such a set-up would benefit AR mapping greatly, which has been a big push for Apple lately.

    This entry would also sport an OLED screen, the gorgeous, bright display that the current iPhone X possesses.

    2018 iPhones Could Include LCD-Display Budget Option

    Apple has had no problem selling iPhones since the launch of the X. However, they could always sell more by appealing to lower budgets. To that end, the company may be pursuing a more affordable phone with an iPhone X design but an LCD screen. Such a phone would likely be more affordable and attract a wider audience. The iPhone X’s face-unlocking technology and lack of a home button are both unique hallmarks and would likely appeal to many if more affordable.

    However, none of these reports have been substantiated by Apple themselves. While we can expect to hear some news from them soon, the new phones will likely be out in September. That leaves barely a month and a half for news to come from Apple about the new phones. In either event, we’ll know more soon, whether through a press event or a high-profile leak.

  • Apple’s iPad vs Microsoft’s Surface Go: Which Tablet Wins?

    Apple’s iPad vs Microsoft’s Surface Go: Which Tablet Wins?

    With the Microsoft Surface Go taking on the iPad, many are wondering which tablet wins in a head-to-head. While neither is the most powerful in its respective hardware family, the two are both priced aggressively. The iPad is $329, while the Surface Go is $399, putting them in pretty direct competition. We’ll get into the pros and cons of each and see which the better buy is for your money!

    Apple’s Trusty iPad

    The iPad hasn’t changed too much since it was first introduced. While it now supports Apple Pencil and sports a retina display, the tablet is largely the same device it was when it launched the tablet craze. The 2018 model is slightly smaller and less expensive than the Surface Go, but they have similar power under the hood. That said, the iPad’s A10 Fusion chip is a bit more powerful than the Pentium Gold processor in the Surface Go. Similarly, the screen on the iPad is ever-so-slightly crisper and clearer than Microsoft’s 2-in-1.

    The iPad runs on iOS, the same as you’d find in an iPhone. That means you have access to the suite of apps from the App Store, but nothing resembling a full desktop ecosystem. iPad is compatible with both keyboards and the Apple Pencil, so you can use it as a pseudo-2-in-one.

    Microsoft’s New Hotness

    The Surface Go is definitely the new hotness on the tablet block. It has a few things on the iPad: firstly, it has more memory out of the gate. It sports 64GB of memory to the iPad’s 32GB, which is sizable. That means you can have more apps, photos, songs, whatever you please. Similarly, the Surface Go has double the RAM of the iPad, but that’s just a step up from 2GB to 4GB. How much difference that makes in day-to-day activities is hard to say, as neither is going to be running full AAA video games any time soon.

    The Surface Go is also capable of running Windows 10 in full desktop mode. It ships in 10 S, which is the tablet-style operating system that is an Apple competitor. If you want to upgrade it, you can do so for free, but its irreversible. However, many everyday users would likely prefer the full Windows 10 suite so that they can use more than just apps from Microsoft’s store.

    Which Tablet Wins?

    As all “this versus that” discussions between Apple and Microsoft, its hard to say which one wins. On the one hand, the iPad has the superior display and is much more stylish. The Surface Go, however, offers the full Windows 10 experience on a tablet, which is a big deal. They allow you to do similar things, but in different-looking ecosystems. It almost comes down to a “feel,” which is to say there is no right answer. Both are fantastic, but neither has a distinct edge. If one appeals to you aesthetically, or from a design perspective, go with it. They’re otherwise evenly matched!

  • Apple’s 2018 MacBook Pro Brings Much Needed Facelift

    Apple’s 2018 MacBook Pro Brings Much Needed Facelift

    The MacBook Pro line has been in serious need of some love. They’ve been struggling to make a name for themselves in the increasingly-crowded mobile device space. Between the Surface line from Microsoft, smartphone competition and increasingly affordable Windows laptops, MacBook has been in trouble. Thankfully, the 2018 MacBook Pro is the update the line sorely needed.

    2018 MacBook Pro: What’s New?

    There are a few new things going on with this year’s MacBook. The first, and most notable, of course, is the updated keyboard. The previous butterfly keyboard, with its “chiclet” style, had few fans. It got stuck often, was noisy and generally hard to type on. This redesigned keyboard, by contrast, is quiet, responsive and much more durable. You’ll likely find it a market improvement over the previous keyboard.

    The computer has received an under-the-hood overhaul, too. The 13-inch laptop comes with either an i5 or i7 processor, both of which are quad-core. The 15-inch option has either an i7 or i9 processor running the show, both with six cores. The 13-inch version has 2 TB of internal storage, while the 15-inch has 4 TB. That’s all pretty encouraging, to be sure!

    The 15-inch sports impressive graphics thanks to the AMD Radeon Pro GPU, while the 13-inch has integrated Iris Plus 655 graphics. While the 13-inch will put out a decent image, those with serious design tasks on their plates should opt for the 15-inch.

    A few other minor touches: the new laptops have the iPhone X’s True Tone technology. That means the screens will adapt to ambient light and match the lighting around you. The Touchbar (now standard on both 13- and 15-inch models) has True Tone as well. Neat!

    Oh, and the laptops now support “Hey, Siri!” Alright, that’s pretty cool, if a bit frivolous.

    Pricing and Release

    The pricing on these laptops remains unchanged from last year, which is stellar. The 13-inch model is still $1,300 and the 15-inch runs $2,400. Now, those numbers aren’t low, but the MacBook Pro isn’t a budget machine. Both models are out now.

  • Apple Music Now Beating Spotify in the US

    Apple Music Now Beating Spotify in the US

    While Spotify might still have a few million more users than Apple Music worldwide, Apple has taken the lead in the US. This comes after Apple was a bit late to the streaming scene, as Spotify had a few years of head start. How did Apple manage to overtake the biggest music streaming service in the world?

    Big-Name Collaborations

    Names like Drake, Frank Ocean and Taylor Swift command a bit of attention. Apple wisely has signed deals with these artists to stream their albums on Apple Music first. In fact, hip-hop and R&B artists see much more success on Apple Music than on Spotify. Drake, for instance, topped the music-streaming charts when Scorpion launched this Summer. J. Cole’s album, K.O.D., saw nearly double the streams on Apple Music than on Spotify. That’s a big deal, as hip-hop and R&B make up nearly a third of all music streaming.

    Beyond just the exclusivity, a number of artists have their own radio shows on Apple’s Beats One radio station. That station, you could guess, is available only through an Apple Music subscription. Drake, Deadmau5, Billie Eilish and more artists have their own shows, and their legions of fans follow them to the service. When you’ve got a following as big as Drake, your name alone can carry a service.

    Beats One

    Speaking of Beats One, it’s the crown jewel of Apple Music and the key to its success. DJs like Zane Lower and Ebro Darden bring a human touch to the proceedings. That same human touch is notably missing from the algorithm-driven Spotify radio service. The interviews, exclusive content and world-first premiers on the service are all quite compelling for diehard music lovers. While more casual listeners may be content with Spotify, those who want more human content are attracted to Beats One.

    Apple Music Has the Install Base

    Another big plus for Apple’s service is the install base of Apple devices. Many people already have iPhones, Macs and the like, and as such they are more likely to try Apple Music. Siri commands can pull up Beats One and the service has iTunes integration. What’s more, Apple CarPlay is the perfect ecosystem for Beats One Radio to shine.

    While Spotify is still leading by a wide margin in the global market, Apple has secured the American listeners. Time will tell whether Apple manages to pull in the foreign demographics, or if they keep their focus here at home.

  • Laptop Look Out: Macbook Pro Updates

    Laptop Look Out: Macbook Pro Updates

    Today Apple has updated its 13-inch and 15-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pros today with Intel’s latest eighth-generation chips. In addition to the processor up grades they are also offering up to 32GB of RAM and 4TB of SSD storage. Boom, hair officially blown back. Wait, just how much are these gonna cost me? With the standard models of Apple’s laptops will cost about the same (starting at $1,799 for the 13-inch model or $2,399 for the 15-inch model). The updated MacBook Pro, brace your self, can set you back a massive soul crushing $6700 big ones.

    Is it Worth it?

    Considering the $7000 Mac Pro I purchased earlier this year with 2.7GHz 12-core processor, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The new MacBooks only have half that power for the same price. Is it still a lot to pay for a computer? Most Definitely. But it’s worth remembering that the extra price is for optional hardware, so it’s ultimately up to you to decide whether or not to pay the cost. For comparison sake, the top  $2599 Alienware’s 15 inch laptop with 8th gen I9 and 16gb of RAM is a viable option at a fraction of the cost.

    What Else is New for The 2018 Macbook Pro

    Thanks to a T2 chip, which showed up previously in the iMac Pro, you can now summon Siri by simply shouting at your machine. Previous MacBook Pros required you to click a button, but now Siri is hands-free. The display isn’t getting any kind of resolution bump (or a touchscreen), but it does now have Apple’s alternating display temperature function, called True Tone, which means additional sensors have been built into the laptop. It has the same Touch Bar and Touch ID capabilities as previous models.

    The Final Thought

    Apple will sell Macbook Pros. The focus on the high end Macbook Pro are the design professionals and rich kids with their parents credit cards. Its nice to have those options and specs but no real commercial need for a few more years. Other wise very solid Macbook Updates and will keep them in the front of the best laptop line for a while.