Belkin Boost-Up wireless charging pad: Tangle-free charging for smartphones

The Boost-up Wireless Charging Pad (Rs 2,999) is compatible with most modern smartphones, including phones that support Qi charging format

Pick up any flagship phone these days, and it features wireless charging. But there’s a catch: Almost no phone manufacturer bundles in a wireless charger. Thus, the customer, after paying big bucks for a phone with myriad features is often unable to use one of the most-touted ones.

A quick search on any shopping site reveals a wide range of wireless chargers, more specifically those which adhere to the Qi charging format. But most are from unknown Chinese manufacturers, and thus, there’s no guarantee about what they would turn out to be.

Thankfully, accessories major Belkin has a solution. The Boost-up Wireless Charging Pad (Rs 2,999) is compatible with most modern smartphones. I used it with the Apple iPhone X and the Samsung Galaxy Note8.

Initially, I faced a problem. The iPhone X had absolutely no charge, so I was apprehensive about whether I had placed it properly. Thankfully, there’s a green LED that lights up once the phone is aligned right. The charger comes in black and white, so you could match it with your phone’s colour. But, while there’s a microUSB cable in the pack, there’s no AC adapter.

The charger works well and the non-slip surface helps, especially if you have to use it in a moving vehicle. Also, once I got used to using this pad, I felt free from untangling the wires of ordinary chargers, especially if you carry multiple ones. But bear in mind that it takes way longer to charge on a pad than while using the charger, especially if you’re used to newer fast-charging technologies.

Apple's 2018 iPhone with 5.85-inch OLED to cost much lower than iPhone X Edit

According to Digitimes research analyst Luke Lin, the next-generation iPhone's manufacturing bill of materials will be over 10 per cent lower than that for iPhone X

The Apple iPhone X was the first smartphone that crossed the $1,000 price mark -- the smartphone was launched at $999 and $1149 for 64GB and $256, respectively. Now, according to Digitimes research analyst Luke Lin, the company would launch a new 5.85-inch iPhone this year with OLED screen that would cost much lower than the iPhone X.

According to Lin, who cited information from Apple's upstream supply chain, the next-generation iPhone’s manufacturing bill for materials will be over 10 per cent lower than that for the iPhone X. He added, that the MBOM of the iPhone X was more than US$400 in 2017.

In the past, Lin also alleged that Apple was preparing for a new inexpensive smartphone similar to the iPhone SE for 2018, featuring the wireless charging functionality, but without 3D-sensing technology.ALSO READ: Apple plans giant high-end iPhone, lower-priced model, aims to boost sales

In 2018, Apple is expected to launch three iPhone models, according to Taiwan-based KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The smartphones are reported to sport screens of sizes between 5.8 inches and 6.2 inches, and different display technologies – OLED and IPS LCD.ALSO READ: It's a secret: How Apple is planning to design and build its own screens

Recently, a leak had emerged showcasing a smaller 4-inch iPhone SE-based design with all-screen display, similar to the one found in iPhone X. Touted as the iPhone SE 2, the smartphone’s design sketches were first reported by a technology portal BGR, which claimed to have received them from a reliable industry source.

Also, a video that recently surfaced on the web showcased a working prototype of the product.

The purported iPhone SE 2 shows an aluminium chassis, similar to the one seen in the original iPhone SE. However, the front showed an all-screen design with an iPhone X-inspired notch. On the back, the leak video also showed a dual-camera set-up placed in a style similar to the iPhone X's.

Apple iPhone SE 2 video leak shows small iPhone X-like screen, dual cameras

The purported iPhone SE 2 shows aluminium chassis, similar to the one seen in original model, dual-camera set-up on the back and all-screen iPhone X-like design on the front

Apple, the Cupertino-based software and technology giant, is expected to launch three iPhone X-based smartphones this year, according to Taiwan-based KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The smartphones are reported to sport 5.8-inch-6.2-inch screen sizes and different display technologies – OLED and IPS LCD.

However, a new leak has emerged showcasing a smaller 4-inch iPhone SE-based design with all-screen display, similar to the one found in iPhone X. Touted as iPhone SE 2, the smartphone’s design sketches were first reported by a technology portal BGR, which claimed to have received them from a reliable industry source.

Soon, a video surfaced on the web that showcased a working prototype of the product.

The purported iPhone SE 2 shows aluminium chassis, similar to the one seen in original iPhone SE. However, the front shows an all-screen-based design with an iPhone X-inspired notch. On the back, the leak video also shows dual-camera set-up, placed in similar style as found in iPhone X.

In the past, a report by Luke Lin, analyst at Digitimes Research, also alleged that Apple is preparing for a new inexpensive smartphone similar to the iPhone SE for 2018, featuring the wireless charging functionality, but not 3D sensing.

The iPhone SE 2 design and sketches contradicts previous information shared by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, which stated that Apple would launch three new iPhones this year – two with OLED display, while the other one with an LCD display – featuring screen size not smaller than 5.8-inch.

Will iPhone X hurt iPhone 8 and 8 Plus sale? Here's what experts say

Apple unveiled both iPhone X and iPhone 8 models, with the "super-premium" iPhone X starting at $999

As Apple gets ready to ship iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus before it opens iPhone X for pre-orders, a top analyst with Taiwanese business group KGI Securities has warned that iPhone X will cannibalise iPhone 8 orders.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the most famous analyst with KGI Securities when it comes to Apple, it is very likely that iPhone X demand will cannibalise iPhone 8 pre-orders.

"While it takes three to six weeks or more to ship new iPhone models after they are available for preorder, they see the iPhone 8 taking less than one to two weeks. This is due to the iPhone X cannibalisation," StreetInsider.com quoted the analyst as saying late on Monday.

Apple unveiled both iPhone X and iPhone 8 models, with the "super-premium" iPhone X starting at $999.

Ming, however, said the new Apple Watch Series 3's (GPS + Cellular version) could be a runaway hit.

"We estimate the preorder weighting of the GPS + Cellular version is 80-90 per cent. While not available in all countries, most users have pre-ordered the GPS + Cellular version because it offers phone and internet access functions without an iPhone and given the low premium of $70 over the GPS version," the analyst predicted.

According to the Verge, while Apple Watch shipments are well below iPhone shipments, investors should start keeping tabs on this new product, with shipments expected to surge much higher than previous generation models.

Apple would launch iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, starting Rs 64,000, in India on September 29 while pre-bookings will start on September 22.

The iPhone X will come to India on November 3, starting Rs 89,000. (more)

Apple iPhone X to cost Rs 89,000 in India: Know all about the new iPhones

With The anniversary-edition iPhone X takes a step forward in what could be the future of iPhone devices

In arguably the biggest event of the year in the world of technology, Apple Inc on September 12 unveiled the anniversary-edition iPhone X -- the roman X signifying the 10 years of Apple iPhones -- and two other iPhone iterations, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, among other devices.

While the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are designed on the blueprints of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the iPhone X, with its innovative face recognition technology and other features, takes a leap towards what is now seen as the future of iPhone devices.

Let’s take a look at the features and specifications of the new iPhones:

Apple iPhone X

With a glossy stainless steel frame body covered on the front and back by a glass design, the iPhone X has a rather wide 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display. The glassy back is accentuated by a vertically placed 12-megapixel dual camera set-up, which supports optical image stabilisation (OIS). On the front, a new 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera enables auto image stabilisation and precise exposure control, and brings the portrait mode to the front camera for stunning selfies with a depth-of-field (Bokeh) effect.

Also Read : Vivo Y69: 16 MP camera will give you even more reasons to click selfies

The iPhone X dual camera set-up boasts a ƒ/1.8 aperture on the wide-angle camera and an improved ƒ/2.4 aperture on the telephoto camera for better photos and videos. A new quad LED True Tone Flash offers twice the uniformity of light and includes Slow Sync, which brings more uniformly lit backgrounds and foregrounds.

The cameras on the iPhone X are custom-tuned for the augmented reality (AR) experience. Each camera is individually calibrated with new gyroscopes and accelerometers for accurate motion tracking.

The camera also delivers the highest quality video capture ever in a smartphone, with better video stabilisation, 4K video up to 60fps and 1080p slo-mo up to 240fps. The Apple-designed video encoder provides real-time image and motion analysis for optimal quality video.

With iOS 11, iPhone X supports HEIF and HEVC for up to two times the compression and storage for twice as many photos and videos. (more)

Apple unveils iPhone X, with facial recognition, no home button, at $999

Tim Cook showed off the iPhone X with an edge-to-edge screen during an event

Apple Inc unveiled its most important new iPhone for years to take on growing competition from Samsung Electronics, Google and a host of Chinese smartphone makers.

Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook showed off the iPhone X with an edge-to-edge screen during an event at the company’s new $5-billion headquarters in Cupertino, California, on Tuesday. Cook pronounced the name "ten," but it’s written as "X". The device, coming a decade after the original model, is Apple’s first major redesign since 2014 and represents a significant upgrade to the iPhone 7 line.

Apple shares have gained about 40 per cent this year on expectations the new phone will reignite sales growth after a rare revenue decline last year. The iPhone accounts for almost two-thirds of total sales, and it’s a hub for most of Apple’s other products and services.

ALSO READ: Apple unveils iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, anniversary-edition iPhone X

The iPhone X, which will come with storage of 64GB and 256GB will start at $999, a pricey psychological threshold for consumers that Apple will try to overcome with augmented reality features and other new technology.“With expected innovations around AR, wireless charging, viewable screen size, OLED, and more, the next iPhone is clearly poised for its largest upgrade cycle yet,” Ben Schachter, an analyst at Macquarie Securities USA Inc., wrote in a note to investors ahead of the event.

ALSO READ: Apple yet to crack mid-range market

New Apple TV

Apple also upgraded its Apple TV set-top box to handle higher-quality video as competition from Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more, Roku, and Google heats up in the living room. The new Apple model can stream 4K video, which is much higher resolution than standard 1080p video, from the iTunes movie catalogue and other apps such as Netflix and Amazon’s video service, Apple said during the event. The box will also support HDR video, which shows a more accurate representation of colours. It starts at $179, versus $149 for the current model. The new box will be available for order on September 15, Apple said.

ALSO READ: Wall Street ends at record high, led by financial stocks; Apple weighs

The updated box, called the Apple TV 4K, has a new processor that’s twice as fast as the existing box and four times faster for graphics. Apple also previewed deeper integration of live television, allowing users to navigate between live news and sports streams via the company’s new TV app. (more)

Apple's iPhone 8 launch: 7 stocks to watch out for today

Apple Inc will unveil new iPhones today at its Apple Park 'spaceship' campus

When Apple Inc unveils new iPhones 8 on Tuesday at its Apple Park “spaceship” campus, there may be important clues for the watchers of seven semiconductor stocks.

Apple exerts a sun-like gravitational pull on the global electronics supply chain, affecting the pricing of commodities like flash memory chips - it consumes 18 percent of global supply. The iPhone maker can make or break small, specialty chip suppliers.

The final tally of semiconductor winners and losers will not be known until the devices ship and analysts rip them apart to examine the circuit boards. That will give insight into matters like the continued battle between Intel Corp and Qualcomm Inc to supply so-called modem chips for mobile data.

ALSO READ: With a $1,000 price tag, Apple's iPhone 8 crosses a threshold

Even the limited technical information Apple gives on stage tomorrow could shed light on how several other companies are faring. Here are seven stocks to watch during today’s launch.

LUMENTUM

Lumentum Holdings Inc makes what are instead known as vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, or VCSELs for short. These are a key component of 3D sensors that could power some of the expected features of the new flagship iPhone, such as the ability to unlock the phone through 3D facial recognition.

The company said it has received $200 million in orders for these lasers since April. Lumentum says it has multiple customers, but most analysts believe Apple is behind the surge in orders.

What is not clear, however, is whether the new facial recognition features will be available on only the flagship model, likely named the iPhone X, or whether it will also be available on the anticipated iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

FINISAR

Finisar Corp also makes 3D sensor lasers but specializes in a higher powered version of the technology with greater range. That sensor would be more suitable for the backside of an iPhone, to assist with features such as augmented reality, in which digital objects float over real objects on screen. (more)