Apple to Re-Create What the "Apple Store" Is

Apple has introduced a suite of changes for its Apple Store, all of which will be coming to future flagship stores, to how it organizes its retail setup. The Genius Bar, where can make an appointment to get hands-on customer service, is now the Genius Grove, accented by literal trees and open spaces. The company is also introducing what it calls "windows." Located in "the avenue," these are displays designed to change with the seasons and cycle through interactive themes, like iPhone photography, Apple Music, and iOS apps. Apple is hiring what it's calling creative pros to stand at these stations and offer advice and tips depending on the theme. The board room, another new addition, is a faux conference setup Apple designed for small businesses and startups to come and get advice from app developers and other entrepreneurs. The 6K video screen, located on the second floor, is officially called the forum. It will feature creative sessions with local experts dedicated to art and music, photography, gaming, and other Mac and iOS-centric topics. Apple says it also plans to debut new Apple Music exclusives on the screen as well. And then there's the windows. The entire, 42-foot street-facing wall is comprised mostly of glass, separated only by tall silver beams. At the press of a button, the doors can separate and turn the Apple Store into an open-faced mall of sorts. In the minds of Apple's designers — including Jony Ive, who was deeply involved in the store's construction — the removal of the glass makes the store an extension of the city itself.

Tour here: http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-thinks-different-with-new-san-francisco-store-apple-store/

iPhone 7 To Bring Major Changes

The iPhone 7, purported for a late-Septemeber 2016 launch will be the next generation in Apple's smartphone lineup. Since it's a new number, however, means major changes will be coming to the next iPhone.

First up is a new design. This time around, the plastic antenna bands seen on current 6s/+ models will disappear, and only exist on the top and bottom portions of the metal. It won't be on the aluminum back, making for a seam-free, clean look.

Next is an improved camera. The rear-facing camera will feature not only one, but two lenses, working together at the same time as a dual-camera to produce an even better picture and better quality video. With 12MP and 4K video recording taken from the current generation iPhone, this will work very nicely.

Gone will be the days of tangled headphones. Apple is expected to eliminate the 3.5mm headphone jack in order to make the iPhone thinner. But don't worry, Apple will sell a new set of EarPods which will be plugged into the Lightning charging port instead, with a thicker, tangle-free cord. Additionally, Apple is supposed to introduce wireless EarPods with no cord connecting them together, with its changer built into a case that can be installed on the phone. Possibly wireless charging too.

Finally, we can expect to see the all new A10 processor, with apparently double the amount of RAM in the current-gen iPhone. This would be awesome, as it would make the phone much snappier and quicker and more responsive.

Are you ready for the iPhone 7?

Apple Announces a New iPhone, But Is It Really New?

On Monday, Apple introduced the iPhone SE, a smaller 4" iPhone for those who just aren't in the market for the larger iPhone 6/6s with a 4.7" screen, or the iPhone 6 Plus/6s Plus with a 5.5" screen. But the interesting thing is that this iPhone looks nothing like the others in the current iPhone lineup, but instead, pretty reminiscent of a previous generation...

That's right. It looks exactly like the iPhone 5s. Literally. The only main physical difference of the new iPhone SE vs. the iPhone 5s is the fact that the glass edges are no longer chamfered, but instead matted. And also, the "SE" logo under "iPhone" on the back of the new phone. Other than the addition of a Rose Gold color option, that's about it for looks.

But I'll give it some credit: the specs under the hood are pretty good, but it's nothing we haven't seen before. As a matter of fact, the specs of the new iPhone SE match up perfectly with the 4.7" iPhone 6s, with the exception of 3D Touch. So, this iPhone SE has the A9 chip with the M9 coprocessor, 2GB of RAM, Live Photos, Apple Pay, 12MP/4K rear-facing camera, front-facing flash, "Hey Siri" support, etc. 

So, just basically a smaller iPhone 6s that looks like an iPhone 5s. This isn't the only reason I think this was an unintelligent move from Apple though. See, Apple spent nearly the last 2 years pushing bigger-sized iPhones with larger screens. All was going well... smaller-screen'd phones were becoming a thing of the past, and more and more people were upgrading to the larger sizes. But now, yet another flop like the iPhone 5c, I bet you, the iPhone SE is here to bring that trend down. It's small. It packs a punch internally, but it's no mind-blowing device that we haven't seen before, nor is it in that positive trend direction Apple has been on track with for a while now. I'm utterly disappointed. 

Aside from the 9.7" iPad Pro they also announced alongside some new Watch bands, this was also my least-favorite Apple event in history. 

I'm looking more forward to those new MacBook Pros due right when the summer hits this year though...

Apple Deploys App for Apple TV 4 to Stream Media Event on March 21

Just next Monday brings Apple's March 21st media event, where the iPhone SE, iPad Pro 9.7", and some new Apple Watch bands will be introduced. Apple went ahead and developed and released an app for the Apple TV 4 which provides the ability to stream the media event in full HD quality, while broadcasting live on the exact date and time of the event.

The app will also allow users to view previous media events Apple has held in the past, similar to the channel that was once (magically) available on previous Apple TV models when event streaming was available. Except this time, the app must be downloaded from the tvOS App Store, and will most likely stay installed even after the media event, which is cool. As for previous-gen (2nd & 3rd) Apple TV owners, the channel will magically appear on the home screen usually the day before or of the event.

Of course, if you don't have an Apple TV, you can always stream the event through http://apple.com/live through any iOS, Mac, or Windows device at 10AM PST/1PM EST on March 21, 2016.

Apple Confirms March 21 iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7" Event!

Apple confirmed they will be holding a media event on March 21st to announce some new products such as the iPhone SE and the iPad Pro (9.7" version.)

The iPhone SE will be an upcoming revised generation of the iPhone 5s with the addition of Apple Pay, a faster A8 processor chip, the Rose Gold color option, and curved glass edges much like the iPhone 6s/Plus feature. This device will feature the 4"screen size option that people love.

The iPad Pro 9.7" is supposed to have a rear-facing LED flash module next to the camera, the ability to be used with the Apple Pencil, a Smart Connector to be used with the same, but a smaller wireless keyboard case Apple offers with the iPad Pro, and four speakers on the top and bottom, much like the layout of the iPad Pro.

Finally, we may see some updates to the Apple Watch, but these will be very minor, as there may be a few additional band options added, such as the Space Black Milanese Loop and other sport bands.

The event will take place in Cupertino, CA at Apple's campus on 3/21 at 10AM PST.

Apple's "Campus 2" Project Quickly Nearing Completion

Just a few short months before former-Apple CEO Steve Jobs passed away, with the the help of the city of Cupertino CA, passed a bill, rights and regulations to construct an all-new campus just a few short miles away from their original campus. Dubbed "Campus 2", the project has been under construction since 2013 after first being proposed in 2011 by Jobs himself, and with the help of now-in-office CEO Tim Cook, the project is projected to be completed at the very beginning of next year.

Campus 2 is designed to look like an incredibly huge spacecraft from an uncharted planet has touched down in the middle of a field in Cupertino, with a perfect, rounded ring design, bearing some of the worlds largest glass pane facades as windows all around the entire perimeter of the building, followed by solar panels upon the roof. The campus will be powered entirely by renewable energy, coming not only from the solar panels atop of the main campus, but as well as solar panels from two large parking decks being built right next door. The main campus is expected to house roughly 13,000 employees upon 2.8 million square feet. Additionally, a 1,000-seated auditorium center is being built on the property as well, which will most likely serve as a place where future keynote events unveiling new products and services will be held. Finally, a large R&D facility will also exist on the campus as well as a 100,000 square-foot fitness center.

It's unclear whether or not Apple will still keep their original campus at 1 Infinite Loop, where things like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch were born, or if they will fully make the move into the new campus and either sell the old one, or use it for other purposes for the company.

"iPad Air 3" to Instead Become "iPad Pro" With 9.7" Screen

The next generation of the iPad Air, supposed to original be known as the iPad Air 3 will not in fact be featuring the same name it has bared for the last few years. The next generation of the 9.7" iPad tablet will be dubbed "iPad Pro" just like the massive 12.9"-screen'd model, and also feature its own Smart Keyboard case and Apple Pencil compatibility.

This report comes in from 9to5Mac who has internal sources saying this. I think it is a step in the right direction as Apple shifts more attention towards its new iPad Pro line and moves away from the old iPad Air name. In this case, 2 models of the iPad Pro would be available, both in 9.7" and 12.9" screen sizes with Smart Keyboard Case and Apple Pencil compatibility.

Will the iPad mini get this treatment next? We'll have to wait and see.