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Apple Leak Doubles Down On New iPhone Design Shock – Forbes

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While Apple’s iPhone 14 design decisions are going to split opinions, they are nothing compared to what Apple is planning next…

In a new Bloomberg report, acclaimed Apple reporter Mark Gurman reveals that Apple is currently testing iPhones which scrap the company’s proprietary (and incredibly lucrative) Lightning port in favor of USB-C. And it could make the iPhone 14 range worthless.

Gurman states that Apple’s decision is motivated by upcoming changes in European legislation that would force all phone manufacturers to adopt USB-C. The company has previously railed against the changes, claiming that “regulation mandating just one type of connector for all devices on the market will harm European consumers by slowing down the introduction of beneficial innovations in charging standards, including those related to safety and energy efficiency.”

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But it is an argument the EU has dismissed and last month legislation for mandating USB-C was approved by a majority vote. The consequences for the iPhone 14 range could be significant.

In Apple’s favour, the EU legislation is unlikely to affect iPhones until 2023 and Gurman states that Apple is testing USB-C on early iPhone 15 prototypes. But if the EU law passes, all iPhone models with a Lightning connector will quickly be seen as legacy devices. Not just by Apple fans but Apple itself.

There is precedent here. When the iPhone 5 introduced the Lightning port in 2011, Apple released the iPad 4 lineup just eight months after the iPad 3, it was a virtually identical tablet with just a processor bump and… yes, the new Lightning port. iPad 3 sales fell off a cliff, as did their second-hand value.

Consequently, if Apple launches the iPhone 15 range with USB-C it is plausible that the company may relaunch older iPhones it plans to continue selling (including iPhone 14 models) with USB-C after the iPhone 15 is released. This would kill second-hand values for Lightning-equipped iPhone 14 models.

And no, it is unlikely Apple would sell USB-C iPhones in Europe and Lightning-equipped iPhones in the rest of the world with Gurman explaining that “having multiple versions of the same iPhone with different connectors would probably bring even more confusion, as well as supply-chain headaches.”

Furthermore, there are objectively good reasons for the EU to make this change. Not only does a single port bring environmental benefits, USB-C offers faster charging and data transfer rates (which have clear usage scenarios). It would also unify Apple ranges, given MacBooks and iPad Pros already charge using USB-C.

Interestingly, Gurman’s report backs up a similar claim from popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Wednesday. At the time, Kuo’s claim was dismissed by many as Apple was thought to be favoring a MagSafe-only iPhone future ahead of adopting USB-C. But with Gurman now on his side, the weight of both experts will see this news taken very seriously indeed.

At this stage, it is unclear if Apple would scrap their USB-C plans if the EU legislation doesn’t make it into law or if the company is already too far down the line. Gurman says Apple is already working on “an adapter that would let future iPhones work with accessories designed for the current Lightning connector.”

In short, nervous iPhone fans might be wise to hold off their upgrade plans until 2023 when wider design changes are coming anyway.

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Vizio Launches New 86-Inch 4K TV – For Just $999 – Forbes

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Perhaps because it’s been a bit busy signing itself over to retail giant Walmart, things have of late been a little quieter than usual on the Vizio product front. Today, though, Vizio has broken its silence with a big – literally – announcement that seems to confirm that its long-running tradition of delivering lots of TV for surprisingly little money isn’t set to change under its new ownership.

This big news is that Vizio will be adding a new 86-inch model to its current range of 4K TVs – and will only be charging $999 for it. That’s a remarkably low launch price for such a colossal TV, and could have home cinema fans falling over themselves to get hold of one if it follows in the footsteps of many of its Vizio predecessors by performing better than its price would lead you to expect.

Set to hit US stores from April 29, the unmemorably named V4K86C-0804 is, unsurprisingly for its price, built on a fairly basic core – namely an IPS panel that doesn’t have any local dimming to bolster its contrast performance. No Quantum Dots are involved in the screen’s colour creation, either.

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It also, though, has a few features up its sleeve that suggest it’s got more going on than your typical entry level 4K TV. For instance, its high dynamic range video support includes both of the premium Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats, with their extra scene by scene picture information, as well as the basic HDR10 and HLG formats. This means it can take in the best version of any picture source you care to play into it.

Unlike some of the other TVs in Vizio’s 4K range, the new 86-inch addition can support 120fps gaming signals – albeit at only 1080p resolutions. There doesn’t appear to be any support, though, for other HDMI 2.1 gaming features such as variable refresh rates or auto low latency game mode switching. The only HDMI 2.1 feature confirmed is eARC, enabling the TV to pass lossless multi-channel audio out to ARC-capable soundbars and AV receivers.

Other value-added features of the new Vizio 86-inch TV include DTS:X audio decoding and Dual-Band WiFi 6 connectivity, while its operating system is the revamped Vizio Home Screen system the brand introduced in 2023. Powered by SmartCast, Vizio Home Screen offers helpful smart TV features such an app ‘row’ with an easily customisable running order, support for AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, genre-based content browsing, and access to many of the most popular streaming services.

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“We’re thrilled to be able to evolve our lineup of 4K, Full HD and HD TVs, which have been a staple of at VIZIO for years and to continue to bring unprecedented value and quality to our customers,” said John Schindler, Vice President of Product Management at VIZIO. “With even more sizes and display ranges to select from, customers can enjoy precise picture quality and built-in entertainment content no matter what room in the home they are in.”

Vizio’s new 86-inch screen joins a host of affordable new king-sized arrivals from the likes of TCL, Hisense, LG and Samsung (see my recent review of the 98-inch Samsung 98Q80C) seeking to cash in on the sudden post-Covid surge in demand for cinematic experiences at home.

Related reading

Samsung 98Q80C 98-inch TV Review: A Monster Hit

LG G4 First Look: A Promising Tale Of The Unexpected

Pioneer Unveils Two New PS5 and Xbox Series X-Friendly AV Receivers

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Record low prices hit Apple's M3 MacBook Pro 14-inch, now on sale from $1,399 – AppleInsider

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B&H has dropped MacBook Pro prices further as March comes to a close. Pick up an M3 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM for just $1,549 — or opt for the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14-inch for $1,699. Both are record-breaking deals.

14-inch models

16-inch models

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There are numerous MacBook Pro deals on upgraded configurations, so if you’re looking for an M3 Max configuration or extra storage, it’s worth checking out our Mac Price Guide to shop the latest sales.

Even more month-end deals on Apple

Best Apple prices

Aggressive savings are in effect now on nearly every current Mac. You can also find discounted prices on streaming services, closeout models and software. Here are a few of the top deals going on now:

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Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) New iPad Pro and iPad Air to Hit Markets Soon – TipRanks.com – TipRanks

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Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is likely to introduce its new iPad Pro and iPad Air as soon as May. The much-anticipated product launch will come just ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

End to a Long Wait

As the much-awaited moment draws near, Bloomberg reports that the tech giant’s suppliers have already ramped up production of the devices. For Apple’s devout customers, the introduction of the revamped iPads marks the end of a nearly 18-month drought of major new releases from the company. The iPads are expected to boast features such as new OLED displays for the Pro model and an option for a 12.9-inch screen for the Air model.

Revamped iPads Unleashed

The long wait for new iPad models has resulted in sluggish tablet sales for Apple in recent times. Consequently, the company will likely look to the revamped versions to boost demand. Additionally, Apple is introducing more processing power to the new versions. The Pro models will feature a new M3 chip. Similarly, the iPad Air is also receiving an upgrade with a new processor, moving from its last version’s M1 chip to the latest technology.

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What to Expect in June

Importantly, the product launches are scheduled just before Apple’s highly anticipated annual Worldwide Developers Conference. This event is slated for June 10. The iPhone maker is widely expected to unveil its AI strategy as well as software updates for its range of products at the event. 

Is Apple a Buy, Sell, or a Hold?

Apple’s share price has corrected by nearly 11% year-to-date. The Street has a cautiously optimistic stance on the stock with a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Furthermore, the average AAPL price target of $203.40 points to an 18.6% potential upside in the company’s share price.

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