The Galaxy S6 might launch sooner than you think

Samsung’s most important handset of the year will undoubtedly be the Galaxy S6, and a new report from South Korean publication ETNews seems to indicate that the flagship handset is supposed to launch even earlier than Samsung initially planned.

Continue reading...

Read More [...]

Posted in 2015 at 10:45PM, January 23

Buyer's Guide: Deals on iPad Air 2, iMac, Apple Accessories, and More [iOS Blog]

Deals have been scarce in recent weeks following all of the holiday discounts, but it appears things are beginning to pick up again. Best Buy is offering discounts on its stock of iPad Air 2 models, and there are also some deals to be had on iMacs, Retina MacBook Pros, and Macbook Airs.



We've also got a selection of Apple-related accessories that are on sale, including quite a few speakers. Finally, we've rounded up a few games and apps that can be had at a discount this week.

iPad Air 2

Best Buy has temporarily discounted its entire iPad Air 2 stock by $50 to $100, which is the best iPad Air 2 deal we've seen since the holidays. With the sale, the entry-level 16GB Wi-Fi only iPad Air 2 is available for $449.99, down from $499.99. The 64GB model is available for $549, and the higher-capacity 128GB model is available for $599, $100 off. All cellular models are discounted by $50 to $100 depending on capacity too.

Older iPads

Best Buy is also continuing to offer now-discontinued higher-capacity Cellular versions of the original iPad Air at up to $130 off.



- iPad Air Cellular Silver 64GB (AT&T) - $499.99

- iPad Air Cellular Space Gray 64GB (AT&T) - $499.99

- iPad Air Cellular Silver 128GB (AT&T) - $599.99

- iPad Air Cellular Space Gray 128GB (AT&T) - $599.99

Retina iMac

As of last week, Apple is selling the new 27-inch Retina iMac in its online refurbished store, offering discounts of 15 percent off, which beats any Retina iMac price that can be found in store this week.



Selection varies, but there are quite a few configurations available for purchase at a discount, which gives consumers looking for a Retina iMac deal a lot to choose from beyond the standard configuration.





All of Apple's refurbished machines come with a 1 year warranty, but stock fluctuates often, so potential buyers may need to wait for a desired machine to show up in the store.

Non-Retina iMac

- 21.5-inch 2.7GHz/8GB/1TB (Best Buy) (B&H Photo)- $1,179, $120 off

- 21.5-inch 2.9GHz/8GB/1TB (Best Buy) (B&H Photo) - $1,399, $100 off

- 27-inch 3.2GHz/8GB/1TB (Best Buy) (B&H Photo) - $1,659.99, $139 off

- 27-inch 3.4GHz/8GB/1TB (Amazon) (B&H Photo) - $1,899, $100 off

MacBook Air

- 11-inch 1.4GHz/4GB/256GB (B&H Photo) - $999, $100 off

- 13-inch 1.4GHz/4GB/128GB (B&H Photo - $919, $80 off

- 13-inch 1.4GHz/4GB/256GB (B&H Photo) - $1,099, $100 off

Retina MacBook Pro

- 13-inch 2.6GHz/8GB/128GB (B&H Photo) (MacMall)- $1,199, $100 off

- 13-inch 2.6GHz/8GB/256GB (MacMall) (B&H Photo) - $1,399, $100 off

- 13.inch 2.8GHz/8GB/512GB (Amazon) (B&H Photo) - $1,599, $200 off

Apps

Apple's free app of the week is puzzle game Shades , and it can be downloaded for free for the next week. Other games temporarily on sell include Lost Yeti , a puzzle adventure game, and Ghost Blitz , a skill-based game. Cycloramic for the iPhone 5/5s is also available for free this week.



For more app deals, make sure to check out our sister site AppShopper , which has a section dedicated to price drops.

Apple Accessories

The Jawbone Big Jambox Bluetooth speaker is available for $184.99 from Woot, down from its original price of $299. Groupon is selling refurbished Jawbone UP24 fitness trackers for $69.99, $30 off the regular $99 price tag. The regular Jawbone Jambox (refubished) can also be purchased from Groupon for $69.99, down from $150.





Beats by Dre Studio Headphones are available from Groupon for $199, $100 off the regular price. Groupon is also selling Apple EarPods for $14.99, a discount of $14. The Beats Beatbox portable Bluetooth speaker can be purchased from Best Buy for $199, $200 off the regular price.





Best Buy is selling iTunes gift cards for 10% off, dropping the price of a $15 card to $13.50. A refurbished Mophie Powerstation portable USB battery charger can be purchased from Groupon for $29.99, down from $79.99.





MacMall is offering the Otterbox Defender Series Case for the iPad Air 2 for $58.99, down from its normal price of $89.95, and it's also selling the Speck CandyShell Card case for the iPhone 6 Plus for $39.99. The Lenmar ChugPlug External Battery pack for Apple MacBooks is available from Best Buy for $79.99, down from its regular price of $159.99.





MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors.

Read More [...]

Posted in 2015 at 10:28PM, January 23

Google takes a major step toward becoming your wireless carrier

After reports from The Information and The Wall Street Journal said earlier this week that Google is interested in becoming a carrier in the U.S. by purchasing wholesale access from Sprint and T-Mobile, Bloomberg Businessweek has learned that Google has indeed reached a deal with Sprint in order to sell wireless service directly to consumers.

Continue reading...

Read More [...]

Posted in 2015 at 09:25PM, January 23

Hands-On With the ClamCase Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 [iOS Blog]

Keyboards have become an increasingly important way for iPad users to boost the productivity of their tablets, and there are dozens of keyboards and keyboard cases on the market designed for the iPad. Apple itself has begun highlighting keyboard cases in recent weeks, showcasing a range of products in its brick and mortar stores, and with Apple beginning to put an emphasis on iPad accessories, interest in keyboards will undoubtedly pick up in the coming months.



ClamCase, a well-known iPad accessory maker, has been producing keyboard cases for several years and its most recent case, the ClamCase Pro iPad Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2, is a culmination of everything the company has learned people look for in a keyboard case.





Priced at $169, the ClamCase Pro is a premium entrant in a market where $50 to $100 options are common, but it offers features that power users and frequent writers will find worth the money, including a unique 360 degree hinge for multiple screen positions, full iPad protection, and most importantly, a keyboard that has generous spacing and an above average key feel.

What's in the Box

The ClamCase Pro ships in a high-quality iPad-style box that includes the keyboard case itself, a micro-USB cord for charging, a quick start guide, and a headphone adapter.



As described in the quick start guide, setup is easy, and we were able to pair the ClamCase Pro with an iPad after switching the case's power on and pairing it in the iPad's Bluetooth settings menu. After pairing, it worked immediately, with no apparent lag.

Design

The ClamCase Pro for iPad Air 2 is, as you might imagine, a clamshell-style case that fully encompasses the iPad. The iPad Air 2 snaps snugly into the top of the case (so snugly, in fact, that it can be difficult to remove) and the bottom of the case houses black MacBook-style keys. Both the outside of the case and the top portion are constructed from a white plastic, but inside, the keyboard portion of the case is made from brushed aluminum and heavily resembles a MacBook.



The two halves of the case are connected by a 360 degree hinge, and overall, with the iPad snapped in, it looks and feels very much like a MacBook Air -- so much so that in MacRumors' testing, we repeatedly attempted to use a non-existent trackpad instead of touching the screen.





The top of the ClamCase Pro has a cutout for the iPad's Lightning port and the camera, as well as buttons that allow the iPad's power and volume controls to be used. The keyboard portion of the case has a port for headphones and a micro-USB port that's used to charge the case itself.



While the plastic of the case feels somewhat flimsy and low-quality, the aluminum keyboard portion is solid and feels well made. When closed, the ClamCase Pro is able to completely encase the iPad, protecting it from drops and scratches. Unfortunately, this solid feel and the high level of protection come at a cost --- bulk. The ClamCase Pro is 0.74 inches thick (at its thinnest point) and the iPad Air 2 is 0.24 inches thick, which means this case triples the thickness of the iPad Air 2 and more than doubles the weight (ClamCase Pro weighs 1.2 pounds, iPad Air 2 weighs 0.96)





At just over two pounds, the ClamCase Pro with an iPad Air 2 approaches the weight of the 11-inch MacBook Air. It's by no means heavy, but it is a consideration because it adds a decent amount of weight and negates some of the incredible thinness and portability of the iPad Air 2. Still, two pounds is portable, and the sturdiness of the case provides a very satisfying typing experience while its weight prevents the case from toppling over despite its top-heaviness.

The Keys

The ClamCase Pro's keyboard keys, arranged in a standard QWERTY layout, are smaller than those on a MacBook, but they are well-spaced and transitioning from a MacBook to the ClamCase Pro keyboard was simple and resulted in few typing errors. With other iPad keyboards, key spacing and feel can result in a significant typing adjustment period filled with errors and mistyped letters. Typing on the ClamCase Pro's keys is very satisfying, as they have a good amount of spring and a "click" that's somewhat similar to the keys of a MacBook.



The number of words we were able to type per minute on the ClamCase Pro was similar to the number of words we were able to type on a MacBook, but your own mileage may vary based on finger size and positioning.





Along with the typical letters and numbers, the ClamCase Pro keyboard has dedicated keys for shift, caps lock, control, option, and command, along with arrow keys and a key that displays the case's battery life. A small LED at the top of the keyboard will pulse up to four times to notify users of the case's remaining battery life.



The keyboard also contains a number of special keys above the number row, which are used to control specific functions on the iPad. With these keys, you can access the iPad's home screen, open the Finder, cut, copy, and paste text, bring up the on-screen keyboard, activate Siri, lock the screen, play/pause media, and control the iPad's volume.

360 Degree Hinge

A unique rubber-coated 360 degree hinge is one of the most important features of the ClamCase Pro, allowing it to be used not only as a keyboard, but also as a movie stand when folded back and in "tablet mode" when folded flat, alleviating the need to remove the iPad from the case when using the touchscreen without the keyboard.



In its stand mode, it can be manipulated into almost any viewing angle, which is useful for watching movies, playing games with an MFi controller, and more. Using it in tablet mode (with the keyboard folded back) is less useful because of the bulk of the case and the feel of the keys underneath, but it's still a great option to have available.



Rotation to any angle for multiple viewing positions is a handy feature, but the hinge of the ClamCase Pro is overly stiff and a bit sticky. This can make the ClamCase Pro hard to open when closed because of the tightness of the hinge, and moving from the standard keyboard position to stand mode or tablet mode takes an amount of force that feels like it's going to break the entire case.




ClamCase Pro in keyboard mode, in stand mode, and in tablet mode


Putting the ClamCase Pro into one of these other modes is disconcerting at first because it feels like it's going to break, but at the same time, the tight hinge keeps the case upright while typing and in a sturdy position when being used as a stand. In previous iterations of the ClamCase, there were some minor issues caused by the stiff hinge, but the ClamCase team has confirmed to MacRumors that the strength of the protective shell and manufacturing techniques have been improved in this iteration in order to address past concerns.



The multiple viewing functions of the ClamCase Pro are a useful addition to the case, but it should be noted that there's no way to use the case as a stand or with a keyboard while the iPad is in portrait mode. The only portrait mode option is also tablet mode, where the keyboard is rotated all the way back.

Charging and Port Access

Both the iPad and the case can be charged while it in use, but the ClamCase Pro won't need to be charged often -- each two hour charge offers 100 hours of use time or 6 months of standby time. The ClamCase Pro has been designed to work solely with the Apple-supplied Lightning charger when charging the iPad, and we discovered that third-party chargers are generally unable to be used with the ClamCase Pro due to the tight fit and the shape of the cutout. Third-party headphones do, however, work fine with the ClamCase due to an included headphone adapter.




From top left: headphone jack/on and off switch, camera hole and volume/power controls, micro-USB charging port, Lightning port for charging iPad


To conserve battery, the ClamCase Pro's Bluetooth will shut off after a set period of inactivity, but tapping a key will reactivate the Bluetooth and it will re-pair with the iPad in just a few seconds. The Bluetooth is designed to shut off when the ClamCase Pro's lid is rotated into tablet or stand mode, which prevents keys from being pressed when the keyboard is not in use, and when the ClamCase Pro is shut with an iPad inside, the Bluetooth powers down and built-in magnets put the iPad to sleep.

Who's it For?

The ClamCase Pro is not a keyboard for casual users who only need to type the occasional email, due to its price and its bulk. At the $169 price point, it's meant for serious writers who want to convert their iPads into miniature MacBooks for an unparalleled typing experience, and for those who want the flexibility of a keyboard combined with a multi-function stand and full iPad protection.





Pros:

• 
  


• Good key spacing


• 
  


• Solid key feel


• 
  


• Morphs iPad into mini MacBook


• 
  


• Multi-angle hinge


• 
  


• Complete iPad protection


• 
  

Cons:

• 
  


• Very expensive


• 
  


• Bulky


• 
  


• Heavy


• 
  


• Hinge is inflexible


• 
  


• iPad is hard to remove


• 
  

How to Buy

The ClamCase Pro iPad Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 can be purchased from the ClamCase website for $169. ClamCase also sells additional keyboard cases designed for the original iPad Air, older iPads (2/3/4), and the iPad mini.



ClamCase only lists a 120-day warranty on its company website, but has informed MacRumors that there's an unspoken 1-year warranty in place that covers any and all manufacturing issues.

Read More [...]

Posted in 2015 at 08:58PM, January 23

Video: Watch a professional archer make insane shots you wouldn’t believe if they were in a movie

Remember how badass Legolas looked in The Lord of the Rings when he would rapidly fire off arrows at hapless orcs who actually thought they had a chance to kill him? Well that's nothing compared to Danish archer Lars Andersen, who is crazy enough to study ancient depictions of archers in an effort to teach himself long-lost archery techniques. The results, as you'll see in a video below, are highly impressive.

Continue reading...

Read More [...]

Posted in 2015 at 08:15PM, January 23

Apple 'Excited' About HomeKit Partners Despite Slow Rollout

It's been more than six months since Apple first introduced HomeKit at its June 2014 Worldwide Developers Conference, but HomeKit-compatible products have yet to hit store shelves and may not do so until this spring, almost a year after Apple first detailed its home automation system.



HomeKit's launch has gone slower than expected, and according to sources that spoke to Re/code, the two major reasons were a "slower-than-expected" launch of the HomeKit MFi program, which began in November, and the late launch of chip specifications, which weren't sent out to chip makers until October. Apple's high performance standards for hardware manufacturers and chip makers are also said to be a factor.




Elgato's upcoming line of HomeKit-compatible products


January's Consumer Electronics Show saw the debut of several HomeKit-compatible products, including the iDevices smart plug, Elgato's range of connected home devices, and the Schlage Sense smart lock, all of which may begin hitting store shelves in a few months. Apple gave a statement to Re/code on the upcoming HomeKit products, expressing the company's excitement.

"We are excited to have a growing number of partners committed to bringing HomeKit products to market, including several announced at CES," said Apple spokesperson Trudy Muller. "HomeKit offers a set of common protocols making it easier for customers to control HomeKit-enabled accessories using Siri or iOS apps. HomeKit is built on a secure foundation with end-to-end encryption which provides customers a secure connection between their iPhone or iPad and HomeKit accessory. "

HomeKit was announced more than six months ago, but many details about the home automation platform remain murky on the consumer end. It is not quite clear if and how it will interface with existing products or if consumers will be expected to purchase all new connected home items to take advantage of HomeKit. Details about the HomeKit MFi specification that leaked out earlier this week, however, suggest few existing products will be able to be used with HomeKit.

Read More [...]

Posted in 2015 at 07:04PM, January 23