Fact vs Fiction: 7 iPhone Rumours That Are Very Likely To Be True

iPhone 7 Apple Announcement

For years, KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo has been a reliable source of Apple product rumours and he has the track record to back it up. The investment analyst produces periodic research notes for investors through intel he gathers from his contacts in Apple’s Asian supply chain.

Well it turns out Kuo has recently released one of his research notes several days prior to the launch of the new iPhone 7. While many of what Kuo has stated has been circling rumour mills for the last couple of weeks, it helps to solidify the specs and features that will very likely be true.

1) New storage tiers

Kuo’s note confirms an earlier report by The Wall Street Journal regarding the storage tiers on the upcoming iPhone 7 release. The new sets will come in either 32GB, 128GB and 256GB, replacing the current line up of 16GB, 32GB and 128GB.

2) Five colour options

The current line up of gold, rose gold and silver models will be joined by a ‘dark black’ model (which replaces the current space grey) and a new ‘piano black’ option with a  glossy finish. It is also rumoured that the piano black model will be restricted to the higher storage tiers due to barriers in high production.

3) 3GB of RAM

The iPhone 7 Plus will most likely come with 3GB of RAM. The standard iPhone 7 model will ship with 2GB of RAM.

4) Dual-lens camera

The iPhone 7 Plus will also ship with a dual-lens camera – a wide angle camera with larger pixels and a 6P lens, with the other being a telephoto camera with smaller pixels and a 5P lens. Both cameras are expected to come with 12 megapixels sensors.

5) Improved water resistance

The new iPhone 7 phones will feature IPX7 water resistance, similar to that of the Apple Watch, making the device resistant to splashes, showers and brief submergence under water up to one meter deep.

The home button is also said to be click-less to benefit water resistance. In its place, new haptic vibrations will be included to mimic the feel of a click when the button is pressed.

6) Upgraded earpiece receiver for stereo sound

The earpiece receiver – used for phone calls – will receive an audio amplifier to become a full-fledge speaker at the top of the device. This will allow for stereo sound when the phone is used in landscape orientation for watching movies, shows and playing games.

7) New A10 chip

Apple’s new A10 processor from TSMC is capable of close to 2.4 to 2.4GHz compared to the A9’s max speed of 1.85GHz. Apple is expected to clock this down however due to heat and power consumption concerns.

BONUS:

No headphone jack

As widely reported already, the new iPhone 7 will not have a headphone jack. Apple will be shipping the new devices with Lightning EarPods and a Lightning to 3.5mm jack adaptor for those who prefer to use their older earpieces or third-party ones.

 

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Alienware Introduces VR-Ready Laptop Line-up with Eye Tracking

Alienware Laptop Line-up 17 15 13 Vr

Alienware is giving a massive overhaul to their gaming laptops in terms of both form and function.

The announcement comes just weeks after Nvidia unveiled plans to carry their GTX 1080, GTX 1070, and GTX 1060 GPUs over to laptops.

Each of these graphic cards will be included in the new Alienware 17, 15 and 13 respectively.

While Alienware laptops have often carried the tag of weight and bulk, the 17 and 15 models will be shedding some of its load due to the company’s new “hinge-forward” design. In fact, each model will be approximately 20 per cent slimmer than their predecessors.

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All three laptops will be VR-ready thanks to Nvidia’s 10-series GPUs, allowing users to plug in VR consoles to experience gaming in a whole new way.

According to

Specs-wise, the Alienware 17 will come in either the Core i7 processor or a Core i7 K-model CPU for overclocking. It will support up to 32 GB of RAM, SSDs as well as SATA drives, and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 GPU.

The Alienware 15 on the other hand can be configured with either the Core i7 or i5 CPUs, the same RAM and hard drive configurations as the 17 and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 GPU.

Specs for the Alienware 13 has yet to be announced.

Both the Alienware 17 and 15 will be out later this month, with the Alienware 13 launching in November.

What’s So Special About Uniqlo’s Global Flagship Store In Singapore?

Uniqlo Global Flagship Store Singapore

If you’ve been following the news lately, you’re probably aware of the opening of Uniqlo’s Global Flagship Store in Singapore on September 2.

The store will be the first of its kind in Singapore and Southeast Asia, signalling Uniqlo’s focus on expansion globally and in the region.

With the presence of 24 existing Uniqlo stores around Singapore, many are wondering what makes the flagship store different from the rest.

Here are some of the key highlights from Uniqlo’s Global Flagship Store in Singapore that sets it apart.

1) Largest store in the region

Not only will the Singapore Global Flagship store be the largest in the country, it’s set to be the biggest in Southeast Asia. The store will take up three levels at Orchard Central, amounting to 29,000 square feet of floor space. It will also hold the largest product line-up in the region, including the full range of its LifeWear line, to maximise the space of the store.

The store will on par with other flagship stores in New York’s Fifth Avenue, London’s Oxford Street and Ginza, Tokyo.

2) Largest number of digital displays in a Uniqlo store worldwide

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The store will hold 286 digital screens, more than any other Uniqlo store globally. The screens will continuously play a video reel of local talents including Mary Ho and Juffrie Friday. Customers can also be featured on the screens by posting a picture of themselves with the hashtag #yourstagenowlive.

3) State of the art window displays

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The Singapore flagship store will incorporate a switchable film function on the outdoor glass displays, the first of its kind amongst Uniqlo stores around the world.

The function will allow mannequins on the Orchard Road-facing window displays to appear and disappear within a split second, a feat for passersby along Orchard Road.

4) The Good Neighbour Guide #SupportLocalSG

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If you’re a fan of Uniqlo’s UT – short for Uniqlo T-shirt, there is dedicated UT corner on the first floor, featuring exclusive designs not found in the other 24 stores in Singapore. These designs are a result of collaborations with Olympia Le-Tan, Bruno Funari, SPRZ NY, and pop music artiste Pharrell.

There will also be Singapore-exclusive designs such as one featuring Mickey Mouse with the Merlion.

6) Exclusive Cashmere Line

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Besides shopping, Uniqlo will be holding workshops for a range of creative arts from September 16 to 18.

The workshops will include classes on floral arrangements with Floral Magic, watercolour painting with local artist Lucinda Law and creating moss terrariums with Mossingarden.

8) Exclusive Opening Specials

If you’re unashamedly kiasu, the store opening on September 2 will have exclusive opening specials including free welcome gift bags and a lucky dip with a grand prize of a 3D2N stay Lloyd’s Inn (The Business Room).

14045909_1188722481200052_6597038821128282895_nUniqlo’s Global Flagship Store Singapore opens at 10AM on September 2, 2016.

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Transfer Deadline Day Roundup: All You Need To Know

Transfer Deadline Day

This season’s summer transfer window has been filled with thrills, record-breaking signings and down-right surprises.

With the new £5.1bn Premier League television broadcast deal, all 20 clubs have largely benefitted, with 13 of the top flight clubs breaking their own club record this window.

Here are the main stories from deadline day:

1) David Luiz returns to Chelsea for £34m

It goes without saying that very few saw this coming and even fewer believed it would pull through.

The signing seemed so out of place and unexpected that even when an offer was confirmed, it looked unlikely as the clock was ticking. In fact, Luiz’s medical was completed just Massive spending all round by Premier League clubs who have spent a record £1.165bn in transfers over the window with £155m on transfer deadline day alone, shattering last year’s record £870m.

In comparison, the second highest spending league was the Serie A with a gross spend of £590m.

Ben Affleck’s Solo Batman Film Has Its Villian: Deathstroke

Deathstroke Batman Ben Affleck

When Ben Affleck took to his Facebook and Twitter accounts to post a clip of fan-favourite villain Deathstroke, many were skeptical.

Some speculated a Deathstroke appearance in the upcoming Justice League movie while many thought it was nothing more than an epic troll by Affleck.

Well, breathe easy fanboys as Ben Affleck wasn’t teasing. Deathstroke might not be appearing in the upcoming Justice League film but he will be the main villain in Ben Affleck’s standalone Batman movie, according to Screen Shot 2016-08-30 at 11.47.18 AM

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The news coincides with earlier reports that Deathstroke would be appearing in a DC Extended Universe film after the creator of TV show Arrow was asked on why the character wasn’t returning to the series.

Earlier this month, Ben Affleck’s co-star Henry Cavill also took to social media to tease fans in what appeared to be a part of a black Superman suit, similar to the one in The Death and Return of Superman graphic novel.

The solo Batman movie, titled The Batman, will be directed and written by Ben Affleck.

In the Red Corner: Rashford at the death!

Manchester United Rashford vs Hull City

In the Red Corner is a weekly column by our Premier League contributor David Menon.

When I decided to start writing articles for The Playbook, I wanted to be as objective and fair as possible, so that fans of all faiths and creeds could appreciate them. But this piece is less analytical and more an account of the emotional rollercoaster the Red Devils took me on in Hull on Saturday night. For that, I apologise to ABU (anything but United) fans.

You Couldn’t Script this

Torrential rain poured from the start, and it clearly affected the match. The pitch was waterlogged and slippery, passes were difficult and the entire game seemed to move at a slower pace.  

Unable to work the ball into the box through intricate passing, United’s stars took to attempting shots from distance, or lofting crosses for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to challenge. It was a game plan that might have worked on another day, but Ibrahimovic was expertly marshalled by Curtis Davies and the long shots were skidding wide of the target. As the seconds ticked away, United fans’ early buoyancy curdled into a sense of wistfulness. There was no reason to panic, and little to be upset about – games like this will happen now and again over the course of a long season when penalty shouts go unheeded by officials; and when you dominate the game but the ball just won’t go in the net.

But like most 0-0 draws that will feature this expensively assembled Red war machine, it would have felt like a defeat. Fans have enjoyed an uncharacteristically purposeful start to the season and it would have been disappointing to lose the 100% record. It would also have been frustrating to fall behind Chelsea, who preserved their winning start to the season. And it would have been empowering to keep the pressure on Manchester City, who are also 100% following yesterday’s victory over West Ham.  

In that context, it seemed crucial that the Red Devils not blink first in this collective stare-off with Pep’s punks. Ceding initiative to the bitterest of rivals, even at this early stage, would have been painful; especially in a season which could well be decided by margins as slim as 2011-2012. No United fan will ever forget that pain.  

So while panic wouldn’t be warranted, and few United fans were inclined to panic, failure to win against a dogged Hull City would have been more damaging to morale than usual. This meant Marcus Rashford’s 70th minute introduction was greeted with the kind of hope few substitutes have seen since the days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Last season’s boy saviour, Rashford was the crown jewel of United’s disappointing 2014-15 campaign but hadn’t seen a minute of the Premier League this season. Until today. Surely he could salvage something?  

Energetic and enterprising from the minute he was introduced, Rashford’s arrival coincided with United setting up permanent domicile in the Hull City penalty box. As the game entered its dying embers, Rashford showed his remarkable skill. Picking up the ball, he danced between 3 Hull players and sidefooted a shot delicately into the far corner. United fans were dancing before the ball had hit the back of the net, which was a shame. Because before the ball hit the back of the net, Hull keeper Eldin Jakupovic, who together with his skipper Curtis Davies had an amazing game, got down superbly to tip the ball around the post for a corner. Perhaps this wouldn’t be United’s day after all?

What followed simply could not have been scripted. In a season where expectations have almost never been higher, during a match when the pressure to come home with all 3 points was rising every minute, Wayne Rooney, who had been underwhelming for the entire game and a surefire scapegoat if points were dropped, scurried after an overhit pass and collected it at the byline. He evaded a challenge by a tiring Hull player and, for the first time in the match, showcased his skill. He squared a perfect pass to Marcus Rashford, who showed incredible awareness and instinct to pop up in the 6 yard box at exactly the right time and stab the ball home.

How fitting for it to have been Marcus Rashford, the favourite son of the Old Trafford faithful. The same boy who brought such hope and joy to the hearts of Red Devils but, in this whirlwind transfer window, appeared destined to be the forgotten man. How fitting that when none of United’s megabucks summer signings could breach the Hull rearguard, it was the same Marcus Rashford who announced with such authority that he would not be ignored, that he would continue to exhilarate, that he would take his chances no matter when they presented themselves. How fitting for a club that is at a crossroads in terms of its identity, to secure the winning goal through one of its fabled youth team graduates. And most of all for a club that is desperate to experience a return to the glory days of SAF, how fitting for the winning goal to come in the 92nd minute following wave after wave of attacks.

On the surface, a 1-0 victory away to Hull presents itself as a bland, almost disappointing result. But any United fan watching the match would have known nothing but joy. Joy at the result, joy at the scorer, joy at the late game heroics, and joy at the perfect start to the season. It may not seem like much, but games like these invoke emotional reactions in me that nothing else can. Football eh, bloody hell.

David Menon is a Premier League contributor with a weekly column on Manchester United.

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City Fans Express Exactly How They Feel About Joe Hart Leaving – United Fans Too!

Joe Hart - Possibly Departing Manchester City

Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart may have possibly played his final game for his club, after 10 years of loyal service.

Manager Pep Guardiola and Hart remained coy on the future of England’s No. 1 after City’s 1-0 win over Steaua Bucuresti.

Unlike their manager however, City fans were far from ambiguous on how they feel about their goalkeeper leaving.

During the match, City fans rose in unison to sing “Stand up if you love Joe Hart” at the 66th minute. Hart admitted that he felt the emotions during the match, describing the match as a special night.

Fans also made their voices heard online, particularly in response to Hart’s status update on his Facebook page.

Comments ranged from fans who thanked Hart for what he’s done for the club to those who simply wouldn’t accept his departure. They were a handful of those who shared personal stories of him being a role model to their kids and even the odd United fan or two.

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A few felt Pep was out of his mind.

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Some were in denial.

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While others got desperate.

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Then there were the United fans.

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Whatever the outcome, it’s safe to say that Joe Hart has a place in every City fans’ heart. Hart is City’s longest-serving player and remained with the club even before their title-winning successes.

‘Narcos’ Season 2 Will Make You Question #WhoKilledPablo

Narcos Season 2 Netflix

With about 10 days to go until the return of ‘Narcos’, Netflix has graced us with a brand new trailer.

‘Narcos’ Season 2 will pick up immediately from last season, where he escaped his own self-made prison and on the run.

The first season followed the (mostly) true story two DEA agents on their mission to take down the legendary crime boss, Pablo Escobar.

While the first season packed an immersive narrative coupled with gripping action, Season 2 appears to blow that out of the water – at least on the action front.

From the trailer, we get a sense that an all-out war is brewing, a seemingly inevitable end for Escobar’s story.

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The trailer doesn’t take our vague historical knowledge for granted; we know he dies at some point, following a whole lot of violence and bloodshed. The show however counts on the possibility that we may not be familiar with the party responsible for his death.

The trailer makes one thing clear, Pablo’s got a whole lot of enemies and they all want a piece of him. With the DEA, the Cali Cartel, paramilitary group Los Pepes and the Search Bloc sanctioned by the Colombian government all on his back, ‘Narcos’ Season 2 promises an all-out war and will have viewers questioning #WhoKilledPablo?

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‘Narcos’ Season 2 returns to Netflix on September 2. 

Two New PlayStation 4 Consoles To Launch In September

New PlayStation 4 Slim

If you’re planning to purchase a PS4 anytime soon, it might be best to put those plans on hold.

images of a slimmer PlayStation 4 leaked on an online auction site.

[caption id="attachment_636" align="alignnone" width="1000"]Leaked image of the PS4 Slim on Gumtree Leaked image of the PS4 Slim on Gumtree[/caption]

The slim version will be revealed alongside an upgraded 4K-enabled PS4 at an event in New York on September 7th.

According to YouTuber ZRZ, the new versions will also be shipping with a brand new DualShock 4 controller. While the new controller looks similar to the previous one, the most noticeable difference is an additional lightbar on the touch pad.

The launch will come one month after competitor Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One S, their very own slimmed-down version of the Xbox One.

 

[caption id="attachment_688" align="alignnone" width="650"]The newly launched Xbox One S by Microsoft The newly launched Xbox One S by Microsoft (

Kanye West’s ‘Life of Pablo’ Store Opens in Singapore

Kanye West Life of Pablo Singapore

Kanye West’s team have revealed the exact location of Singapore’s Life of Pablo store, following yesterday’s announcement on the opening of 21 temporary pop-up stores around the world,

Out of the 21 stores worldwide, Singapore is the only pop-up location in all of Asia, with the rest popping up in North America (14), Europe (3), Africa (1) and Australia (2).

The shop will store Life of Pablo-related merchandise. 

North America
Portland
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Dallas
Houston
Detroit
Atlanta
Miami
Philadelphia
Chicago
Boston
New York
Toronto

Europe
London
Amsterdam
Berlin

Africa
Cape Town

Australia
Sydney
Melbourne