As previously announced, today is the day: orders are open on the Apple Store and through other retailers for the remaining hardware products that Apple announced on April 20: the 24-inch iMac and the new iPad Pro and Apple TV 4K.
Yesterday, we reported that multiple leaks seemed to reveal a May 21 ship date for these products, and those leaks turned out to be correct. The initial ship date for all of the above was May 21, but ship estimates have slipped slightly due to demand for some products—and significantly for others.
Specifically, most configurations of the 24-inch iMac, 11-inch iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K are currently showing ship dates between May 21 and 27, while some specific configurations of the iMac and 11-inch iPad Pro are shipping in early June. The worst case, though, is the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which in some configurations is shipping as late as July.
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a Mini LED display similar to the one seen in Apple's Pro Display XDR monitor, as well as recent high-end consumer LCD TVs. The 11-inch model still has the previous generation's display technology and is shipping sooner, suggesting that the new display tech is a bottleneck.
The other major improvement in both new iPad Pro models is the inclusion of the M1 system-on-a-chip seen in recent Macs. That chip also powers the new 24-inch iMac, which comes in multiple colors and has been redesigned visually since the last 21.5-inch model it (mostly) replaces.
The Apple TV 4K has seen the least dramatic changes of the new devices. For most use cases, it's identical to its predecessor. Compared to the version that was on sale before today, it has a faster processor; it went from Apple's A10 to the A12. And it has an HDMI 2.1 port, which may allow it to support 120 Hz playback and other modern TV features in the future.
The biggest change is arguably a redesigned remote, but that remote is also available on its own (it's compatible with the previous generation) as well as in a bundle with the lower-end Apple TV HD.
Samsung hit it out of the park with the launch of the Galaxy S20 FE last year. The Fan Edition device proved to be one of Samsung’s most successful of the year, so it’s only natural for the company to want to release a sequel this year and try to catch lightning in a bottle again.
Predictably, the sequel should be called the Galaxy S21 FE, and much like the predecessor did last year, the upcoming model should draw some inspiration from the premium Galaxy S lineup while maintaining a good value and a sub-flagship price.
There’s almost no doubt that Samsung will be releasing the Galaxy S21 FE this year. The company has at least indirectly-acknowledged that the phone exists when it accidentally mentioned it on the official Samsung Mexico portal this week.
Either way, Samsung will have a steep hill to climb if it wants the Galaxy S21 FE to become a worthy successor to the 2020 model, and the company does appear to have what it takes to achieve this, judging by all the leaks so far. Here’s an overview of everything we know:
Galaxy S21 FE design and color options
Much like the Galaxy S20 FE’s design was inspired by the premium Galaxy S20 trio of flagships, the upcoming Galaxy S21 FE is expected to adopt a new design language akin to the Galaxy S21.
Leaked press renders depicting the Galaxy S21 FE indicate that the phone will follow the same design principles as the Galaxy S21 series, particularly in regards to the camera housing. It wraps around the top and side edges of the device, and as a result, it look less like an afterthought.
SamMobile exclusively reported a couple of months ago that the Galaxy S21 FE will be released in at least four color options including gray/silver, pink, violet, and white. A fifth color — light green — was also discovered just a few weeks ago, along with a few camera details.
Galaxy S21 FE hardware and camera specifications
The Galaxy S21 FE is expected to carry a triple-camera combo on the back panel, though detailed specifications are unknown. As far as the selfie camera goes, it’s been reported that it should clock in at a resolution of 32MP, though only time will tell if it’s the same 32MP sensor that was used for the Galaxy S20 FE or an upgraded shooter.
There aren’t too many details on the hardware but battery details have emerged in mid-April. According to this data, the Galaxy S21 FE should be powered by a 4,500mAh battery, same as the Galaxy S20 FE.
Battery life could end up being better thanks to the adoption of components that have a higher energy-efficiency. The Galaxy S21 FE’s choice of chipsets hasn’t been confirmed yet but the phone could be offered with an Exynos 2100 and / or Snapdragon 888 SoC, and with two storage options: 128GB and 256GB.
The device is expected to have a 6.4 / 6.5-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with a refresh rate of at least 90Hz, though 120Hz is a fairly safe bet given the fact that the Galaxy S20 FE already has this feature. Stereo speakers and an IP rating should also be par for the course.
When will the Galaxy S21 FE become available?
An alleged roadmap detailing Samsung’s launch plans for 2021 got leaked last month, and it suggests that the Galaxy S21 FE will be unveiled at a dedicated Unpacked event scheduled for August 19.
Leaked roadmaps may not always be a good source of accurate release date details, but what’s important to note about this particular roadmap is that it predicted the date of the Galaxy Book Unpacked event with pinpoint accuracy. This lends a bit more credibility to the idea that August 19 is the day when Samsung will reveal the Galaxy S21 FE to the world.
Pricing details remain unknown but the company is expected to stay true to the FE lineup and release the upcoming model within the so-called “flagship-killer” price range.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Samsung for providing ‘defective’ glass on the camera of its flagship series, the Galaxy S20. According to the law firm Hagens Berman, Samsung has ignored a widespread defect prevalent on the Galaxy S20 series of smartphones where the protective glass on top of the camera module shatters unexpectedly during normal use
Samsung is being accused of fraud, breach of warranty, and violations of several consumer-protection laws. The press note shared by the law firm on its website says that Samsung sold its smartphone range with a defect affecting the rear camera module’s glass that apparently shatters spontaneously, with no external force applied, even when the phone is inside a protective case. The defect is said to be affecting the entire Galaxy S20 series including the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy S20 FE, and all the 5G variants of these phones as well. Notably, this issue has been around ever since the phone series first launched as a certain owner of the Galaxy S20 reported about the issue on Samsung’s community website just four days after it went on sale.
“Samsung sold its Galaxy S20 as a high-end option for consumers, with a ‘professional’ grade camera, charging upwards of $1,600 per device, only to have them suddenly lose a major aspect of their functionality. During a time of social-distancing and increased use of online access, consumers are especially in need of a reliable mobile device, yet Samsung has refused to deliver the reliability it promised its customers,” said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman and attorney for consumers in the class action.
According to consumers, Samsung has refused to cover the issue under warranty and is asking $400 to send the phone back to Samsung to investigate the issue or $100 under purchased Samsung care device insurance to repair the shattered glass. Even after complying with the costs, certain consumers are repeatedly facing the issue, while others have paid hundreds of dollars at third-party repair shops.
The press note cites a post on the Samsung consumer forum by a Samsung Care Ambassador as saying, “This happened to one of our ambassadors. After many complaints about the issue, we found out that it has to do with pressure buildup underneath the glass and not customers banging it against something.” Despite Samsung acknowledging the issue, the company did not resort to a recall and apparently continues to deny customer warranty claims.
The lawsuit sounds like good news for customers affected by the issue. The law firm also offers a form on its website that you can fill out and seek compensation. However, even if the lawsuit goes in the favor of consumers, there is no guarantee that you would receive enough money that can cover the cost of your repairs.
Article From & Read More ( Samsung is being sued over defective camera glass on the Galaxy S20 series - XDA Developers )
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The company says that the new products will be delivered starting on May 21st —at least for the first wave of orders, although that timing will certainly slip as stock sells out.
Customers interested in buying the new iMac should take note that only some of the color schemes will be available in stores: green, pink, blue, and silver models will be sold in-person at Apple Store locations, but the full seven-color spectrum will only be offered through Apple’s website, at least for now.
The new iPad Pro also features Apple’s new M1 processor (the same as the iMac and last falls updated MacBooks), in addition to an upgraded ultra-wide angle camera for better video calls. Additionally, the larger 12.9-inch model will feature a new Mini LED display, which promises a far brighter and more accurate screen experience — at the cost of a $100 price increase over the 2020 model.
Also of particular note: in addition to the preorders for the updated Apple TV 4K, preorders have also opened for the standalone $59 Siri Remote for existing Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K (first-gen) owners looking to replace the infamous first-generation Siri Remote with a (hopefully) better new design.
Alongside the preorders for the new Apple products, the first wave of last week’s AirTag and purple iPhone 12 and 12 mini devices should be arriving to both customers and in Apple Stores starting today.
Article From & Read More ( The colorful M1 iMac, Mini LED iPad Pro, and refreshed Apple TV 4K are available to preorder now - The Verge )
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European Commissioner for Europe fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, gestures as she speaks during an online news conference on Apple antitrust case at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on April 30, 2021.
Francisco Seco | AFP | Getty Images
LONDON — Apple has "abused its dominant position" in the distribution of music streaming apps through its App Store, the European Commission said Friday.
"Our preliminary finding is that Apple exercises considerable market power in the distribution of music streaming apps to owners of Apple devices. On that market, Apple has a monopoly," Margrethe Vestager, the head of competition policy in the EU, said in a press conference.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, opened an antitrust investigation into the App Store last year, after the music streaming platform Spotify complained in 2019 about Apple's license agreements. The agreements mean that app developers have to pay a 30% commission on all subscription fees that come through the App Store.
On Friday, the EU said it took issue with the "mandatory use of Apple's own in-app purchase mechanism imposed on music streaming app developers to distribute their apps via Apple's App Store."
App developers are also unable to inform users of alternative ways to purchase the same apps elsewhere — another issue the commission said it was concerned with.
"The European Commission has informed Apple of its preliminary view that it distorted competition in the music streaming market as it abused its dominant position for the distribution of music streaming apps through its App Store," it summarized in a "statement of objections" sent to Apple.
In response, Apple said the EU's case was the "opposite of fair competition."
"Spotify has become the largest music subscription service in the world, and we're proud of the role we played in that," Apple said a statement. "Once again, they want all the benefits of the App Store but don't think they should have to pay anything for that."
A statement of objections is part of the formal process in an antitrust investigation, but it does not conclude the probe. Apple now has to reply to the commission's concerns either in writing or via a oral hearing.
Spotify welcomed the news Friday. "The European Commission's Statement of Objections is a critical step toward holding Apple accountable for its anticompetitive behavior, ensuring meaningful choice for all consumers and a level playing field for app developers," Spotify's chief legal officer Horacio Gutierrez said in a statement.
'Apple is a gatekeeper'
The decision comes after an e-book and audiobook distributor filed a similar complaint against Apple in March 2020, while Epic Games — which is already locking horns with Apple in a U.S. legal battle — filed an antitrust complaint against the iPhone maker with the European Commission earlier this year.
At the press conference, Vestager stressed that app stores play a central role in today's digital economy.
"(Apple) not only controls the only access to apps on Apple devices, it also offers a music streaming service, Apple Music, that competes with other apps available in the Apple App Store, such as Spotify or Deezer," Vestager said.
She added that App Store rules are a concern for many app developers, "because they depend on Apple App Store as a gatekeeper to access users of Apple's iPhones and iPads."
"This significant market power cannot go unchecked as the conditions of access to the Apple App Store are key for the success of app developers," Vestager said.
The commission is also looking at Apple Pay, but Vestager did not say when this probe would be concluded.
Legal battles
This is not the first investigation that the European Commission has brought against Apple. The commission decided in September to take Apple and the Irish government to the highest court in the European Union for what Brussels deems unfair taxation practices.
The EU ruled in 2016 that Apple had to repay 13 billion euros ($15.7 billion) in unpaid taxes to the Irish government, after the latter granted "undue tax benefits." Apple and the Irish government have contested the decision and the case is still in court.
Hoping to overcome long legal battles and make its markets fairer, the European Union is working on new regulation that could ultimately impact many of the U.S. tech giants.
The Digital Markets Act is likely to end what's known as self-preferencing — when, for instance, app search results in an Apple product prioritize those developed by the tech giant. The idea is to give smaller app developers the same chance of being found and chosen by consumers.
The legislation is still being discussed by European lawmakers. But apart from enforcing practical changes, it will also have the power to fine companies up to 10% of their worldwide annual turnover.
Like the storied brand it takes its name from, the new Atari VCS has a complicated history. Originally a crowd-funded project, now years overdue, it's finally starting to ship to crowdfunding backers and, soon, to the general public. Just as the original Atari company got caught up trying to figure out if it was a game console manufacturer, a software publisher, a computer maker or just a cultural icon, the Atari VCS feels similarly conflicted. It might be a game console. It might be a DIY-friendly, small-form-factor desktop PC. It doesn't fully satisfy as either, even at a modest $399 (which includes a wireless gamepad and a wireless retro joystick).
I first tried one of these systems out two years ago, when I was intrigued by the idea of a console that could also be a Windows or Linux PC. The idea of leaning so heavily on classic Atari games was probably the least interesting part of it for me, especially as these games are available in so many other places. If I want to play Asteroids, Crystal Castles or Centipede, even in various home console and arcade iterations, that's easy enough to do on almost any other platform.
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That said, there's a real vintage, authentic vibe here, to both the hardware and software. This looks and feels like an Atari product, down to the clever re-implementation of the classic Atari 2600 joystick. But keep in mind that the Atari brand is just corporate IP now. It's been bought and sold over the years, and is now owned by a French game company formerly known as Infogrames.
A confusing identity
In my hands-on time with it, it's obvious that the Atari VCS suffers from an identity crisis. One pitch for it is as a game console. There's a lot of competition in that space, from the PS5 and Xbox Series X to the Nintendo Switch and the Xbox Series S. The Series S is $299 while the Switch Lite is $199, and both are far more capable pure gaming machines than this. If retro games are your thing, systems like the SNES Classic and Sega Genesis Mini are both under $100 and do a great job of making classic games easy to play on modern TVs.
The Atari VCS is much better thought of as a small form factor desktop, with a heavy DIY element. It runs an AMD SoC (system on chip) called the Ryzen R1606G, with just enough graphics muscle for light gaming and some expansion options like an internal M.2 slot. More importantly, you can skip the built-in Atari OS (basically a Linux-based catalog of games and a web browser) and run full Linux, Chrome OS or Windows 10 on it. Technically it supports the semi-abandoned SteamOS, too, but I wouldn't recommend that.
But there's a catch. The system only comes with its own Atari OS and a small 32GB SSD. To turn it into a real mini desktop, you need to install your preferred OS on either an external drive (connected via USB) or by adding an internal M.2 hard drive. It's a lot to ask of most people, and the entire project would make more sense shipping as a Windows or dual-boot machine.
I went through the process, installing Windows 10 on an external drive, and after a little troubleshooting, it worked fine. You could compare it to something like a Mac Mini, although the new M1-powered Mac Mini is much more powerful -- and more expensive.
Once I had Windows 10 running, naturally I installed some Steam games. Since it was built around classic Atari games, it's a stretch to ask it to do much modern gaming, I suppose. Recent indie darling Hades wouldn't run, neither would 3D Mark benchmarks. But my go-to low-power PC favorite, Deep Sky Derelicts, ran fine, as did Skyrim, at 1080p and medium settings. I also tried the new Microsoft Xbox Cloud Gaming beta, which worked well, as it's streaming from the cloud.
I could see myself using the Atari VCS hooked up to a monitor, keyboard and mouse as a fun mini desktop (and in fact, that's what I did for a few days). But you can also find more powerful hardware in a similar compact package. You're really paying for the console-like design, which is a fun conversation-starter at least. If you're using this as a desktop, however, keep in mind the internal fans will be cranking almost all the time and they can get pretty loud.
Two USB-A 3.0 ports, HDMI and Ethernet (don't worry, it has wifi).
Dan Ackerman/CNET
Recreating the past
Taken as a standalone game console, the Atari VCS is a tough sell. It looks and feels a lot like the classic console (there's even a wood grain version), but once you turn it on, the available options are limited.
There are a lot of preinstalled Atari games, in both console and arcade versions. The recreations feel authentic, but really most of these will wear out their novelty value quickly. I like the ability to play, for example, the Atari 2600 version or arcade version of Asteroids. But many of the games, especially the more obscure ones, need instructions, which you have to click through and read on-screen. If you're anywhere close to my age, you'll recall those old console games all came with instruction booklets.
The menu and navigation feels fine at 1,920x1,080 resolution, but upping the output to 4K, while supported by the OS, results in a slow, stuttery experience. Not that Centipede needs to be in 4K.
A small, for now at least, storefront offers more classic games, plus a few newer ones, but nothing that you can't find on other platforms, and the newer or remastered games aren't anything you're likely to go out of your way to track down. The ecosystem feels underpopulated at the moment, which is another reason why the system makes more sense as a desktop PC.
The wireless gamepad is a perfectly good take on the Xbox controller style. Much more interesting is the semifaithful recreation of the classic one-button Atari joystick. It's frankly not that useful outside of the classic Atari console games, but it's also a great tribute to an iconic design.
A vintage Atari 2600 joystick next to the new VCS version.
Dan Ackerman/CNET
The new version has some extra features not found on the original, including a second shoulder button, and it's wireless. It also replicates the old Atari paddle controllers -- just rotate the center stick between your fingers and it acts like a paddle. On the other hand, it lacks that classic Atari controller stiffness, so doesn't have the same muscle-memory feel as the original. Both the gamepad and joystick are available as separate $60 purchases, or come included in the current $399 bundle.
If you are a huge Atari or retro gaming fan, there's a decent chance you already backed the crowdfunding campaign or else preordered a VCS system. For everyone else, it's an interesting device that doesn't quite nail it as a standalone console nor as a desktop PC. It's best to me right now as a fun Mac Mini alternative, although you'll be paying a premium to make your 2021 computer look like it came from 1977.
Google has announced new Play Store policies and guidelines designed to make app listings more succinct, accurate, and less of an eyesore. New guidelines affecting the screenshots and videos meant to demonstrate an app’s features and functionality will come into force in the second half of 2021, while specific details about the enforcement of new policies for app titles, icons, and descriptions are coming “later this year.”
The new app metadata policies will ban a variety of tricks that app developers use to make their app listings excessively eye-catching. Writing words in all-caps will no longer be allowed unless it’s the name of a brand, and neither will including emoji in app names. App titles will be limited to 30 characters, and they can’t “incentivize installs” by including a phrase like “download now.” Trying to promote deals by including a “Sale” banner in an app icon is also being banned.
Google calls this week’s blog post a “pre-announcement” designed to help developers plan for the upcoming changes. However, when the policies governing app title, icon, and developer name come into effect, Google says that apps that violate the policies “will not be allowed on Google Play.” It says that more details on the changes will arrive later in the year.
Separately, the new guidelines about app preview assets will come into effect in the second half of the year. These guidelines ask that graphics, videos, and short descriptions “accurately represent” apps and games, “provide enough information” to users, don’t use buzzwords like “free” or “best,” and are localized correctly. “Assets that don’t meet our guidelines may be ineligible for promotion and recommendation on major Google Play surfaces like Apps and Games home,” Google says.
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