iphone7
Latest
Filmic Pro app makes it easy to color correct iPhone 7 video
If "the best camera is the one that's with you," then you always have a pretty damn good camera if you own an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus. To give you more options than Apple provides, Filmic has just released a beta version of its Pro app that lets you shoot 4K video in a "log" or flat profile, a feature found on pricey cinema cameras like the Red Weapon. Filmmaker Matteo Bertoli got his hands on it and showed exactly why you'd want video output that, at first, looks fairly drab (above, top). The idea is that you can then adjust the video so that it really pops (above, bottom) without losing details in the shadows and highlights.
Instagram photos now look better on iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
When Apple announced that its latest iPhone would snap brighter, more vivid pictures with its "wide color capture" feature, Instagram was quick to promise an updated app to support that expanded color gamut. Turns out they were half right: today Instagram co-founder and CTO Mike Krieger announced that Instagram users on iPhone 7 and 7 Plus can now take full advantage of their phone's new camera -- and they don't even need to update the app.
The iPhone 7 may not be selling as well as Apple hoped
Traditionally, new iPhones sell pretty well in their first few months -- often outperforming the previous model's sales during the same quarter. That might not be the case with Apple's latest handset: according to Nikkei, sluggish sales are forcing the company to cut back production of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices. Based on data received from suppliers, Nikkei expects Apple to slow stock production by about 10 percent.
2016 was a hard year to be an Apple fan
Tim Cook and the rest of Apple's leadership will probably not look back fondly on 2016. iPhone sales declined for the first time, and Apple's profits followed suit. There are still bright spots, like the company's growing services business, and the company is still making insane amounts of money. Even so, the stalled growth has to be concerning to both the company and its investors. Don't get me wrong, I'm not here to pity Apple. I'm here to commiserate with its fans, the ones who Apple shafted this year. Particularly those of us who waited all year long for a substantial update to the Mac lineup only to be offered a pair of intriguing but compromised new laptops. Or those of us who bought an iPhone 7 and can't use the headphones included with it in our new MacBook Pro, or even those of us trying to figure out which iPad to buy. Across the board, Apple has confusing product lineups with weird and unnecessary compromises. And if you believe the wailing of aggrieved fans across the internet, it seems like plenty of loyal Apple supporters might be contemplating life outside the company's ecosystem. How did we get here?
Google's 2016 was defined by 'Pokémon Go,' Olympics and Trump
Google's Year in Search summaries have a knack for capturing the cultural zeitgeist, and that's truer than ever in 2016. The company has published its top search trends for the year, and it clearly mirrors a tumultuous 12 months defined by the unexpected, the tragic and the rise of technology. Notably, the biggest global search trend was for Pokémon Go -- yes, the wildly popular mobile game did more to captivate the world's attention than political upheaval or sports triumphs. Apple's iPhone 7 was the runner up, followed by President-elect Donald Trump.
Engadget giveaway: Win an iPhone 7 courtesy of Mint!
The holidays are usually pretty tough on your wallet and there's enough distraction that bills may go unpaid past their due date. Smart money and account management apps like Intuit's Mint are essential tools in keeping you on budget and paid up on time. Mint has recently added bill management to its long list features, aggregating them so you can make payments quickly, while keeping an eye on available cash. The free app also provides bill reminders, money management tips, free credit score reports and helps you craft a budget that will work for you. This week, Mint has provided us with an Apple iPhone 7 for one lucky reader, so they can keep track of their cash flow in style during the holiday season and beyond. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning! Winner: Congratulations to Neil G. of Redwood City, CA!
Apple's renewed fight against AIDS includes new iPhone cases
Apple has made a tradition of marking World AIDS Day with a campaign to donate to the Product (RED) charity, and it's going the extra mile for its 10th year of support. On top of the company's existing (RED) gear (which sends a contribution to the Global Fund's fight against AIDS), it's launching four new accessories and devices that count toward the charity. You can get red versions of the iPhone 7 Battery Case, the leather iPhone SE case, Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones and the Beats Pill+ wireless speaker. All of these are available today, and there are other ways to help out even if you have no intentions of buying hardware.
Prisma can turn Facebook Live broadcasts into artistic affairs
Prisma's latest update gives you the power to air artistic videos on Facebook Live. When you switch from Photos to Videos, you'll now see a "Live Stream" button that broadcasts whatever it is you're capturing on cam. You'll be able to apply any of the eight available art filters onto your broadcasts, which means you can transform any ordinary event into a moving painting on the fly. Unfortunately, this feature has a pretty limited reach: you'll only get Facebook Live integration if you have an iPhone 7 or a 6s. Prisma says it's because videos are processed locally on the device -- the update also improves overall video quality -- and requires the phones' power.
Apple releases iOS 10.1, adds Portrait mode to the iPhone 7 Plus
The Portrait mode for Apple's iPhone 7 Plus has been in the works for months, and now it's ready for the masses... sort of. People with the 7 Plus who are running beta software have been able to shoot photos full of artificial bokeh for over a month now, but Apple just pushed out its iOS 10.1 update, which means Portrait mode is here (along with a bunch of bugfixes and support for transit directions in Japan). Now, here's the thing: Even though you don't need to be enrolled in the iOS beta program to use the feature anymore, the feature itself still isn't completely done. Once the update is installed, the camera app asks if you'd like to "try the beta" when you swipe into the new Portrait position.
iPhone 7 update fixes your Verizon connection problems
If you recently snagged an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus and depend on Verizon for service, you'll want to check for a software update. Apple has released an iOS 10.0.3 upgrade that that fixes a weeks-long problem where some iPhone 7 and 7 Plus users (particularly Verizon customers) would temporarily lose their cellular connections. If you were affected, your LTE connection would unexpectedly drop out and revert you to pokey 3G speeds. There are no other real improvements, but this could make a big difference if your initial iPhone 7 experience has been defined by flaky access.
Engadget UK giveaway: Win an iPhone 7 courtesy of Casetify
When the mornings are feeling that little bit crisper and the nights are drawing in, it can only mean one thing: Christmas is coming. Okay, it might be a little premature to start thinking about the festive holiday, but thanks to our friends at Casetify, it might come a little early for you. This week, we're giving away a matte black iPhone 7 (32GB) with one of the case maker's slick protective classic grip cases. Casetify specialises in turning your favourite Instagram photo(s) into custom phone accessories, so it's throwing in a gift card for one of those too. You can enter up to three times via the Rafflecopter widget below. Just don't forget to give the rules a quick scan while you're down there.
Here's Apple's workaround when your iPhone 7 home button fails
The iPhone 7's non-moving home button may feel odd at first, but it has its perks... especially if it ever stops working. MacRumors forum goer iwayne has shown that the new iPhone will give you an on-screen home button (along with a warning that you may need repairs) if it thinks the physical key is broken. While that's not much consolation if your phone needs to be fixed, it does mean that you can keep using your device in a relatively normal way while you're waiting for your Genius Bar appointment.
New in our buyer's guide: The iPhone 7 and Fitbit Charge 2
Well, well, well. After just a few months of phone releases and reviews, our smartphone buyer's guide section looks very different than it did recently. New to the guide, as you'd expect, are the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, both of which earned strong reviews from us. The HTC 10 and Galaxy S7 have held their spots there, with the OnePlus 3 rounding out the list at the lower end. (And yes, we are thanking our lucky stars that we didn't have time to add the highly rated Galaxy Note 7 into the guide before it was recalled and discontinued.) We've also made some changes to our wearables section, with the Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2 both making the cut (the Series 2 is the best in absolute terms, but we recommend the Series 1 for more people). You'll also find the Fitbit Charge 2, our new favorite all-around fitness tracker. Find all that and more right here in our buyer's guide, and be sure to check back soon -- we plan to review some highly anticipated releases like Google's new Pixel phones as well as the PlayStation Pro.
Apple adds SIM-free iPhone 7 and 7 Plus option in the US
Apple has started selling SIM-free iPhone 7 and 7 Plus -- on its US website, at least -- just like it did for the previous models. It's the way to go if you'd rather not be tied down with a two-year AT&T, T-mobile, Sprint or Verizon contract. The unit you're getting is also unlocked and supports both CDMA and GSM networks, so you can take it to any carrier you want to get the best plan for your lifestyle.
Olloclip's new lenses attach quickly to your iPhone 7
Now that there are new iPhones with revised cameras, many smartphone photographers are going to want new Olloclip lenses. Thankfully, they've arrived... and Olloclip didn't just tweak the connectors and call it a day. Its new Core, Active and Macro Pro lens sets not only have improved optics ("premium multi-element coated glass," Olloclip says), but an improved interchangeable lens system. Called Connect, it separates the frame on your phone from the lens housings. This lets them quickly attach to and align with your iPhone's camera, even if you have a screen protector. You should spend less time swapping lenses and more time shooting, in other words.
The Google Pixel vs. the competition: Ready to rumble
We may be saying goodbye to the Nexus name, but we're not saying goodbye to the things we've come to expect from Google's premiere phones. The new Pixel still offers everything you'd expect in a flagship, including a highly-rated camera, a fingerprint sensor and the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. But, with so many current phones offering similar chipsets, features like Google Assistant could make all the difference. We'll take a closer look at some of the bells and whistles in our eventual review, but for now there are specs to chew over. Check out the table below to see how the Pixel measures up on paper to some of its leading competition.
Japan's noisy iPhone problem
I canceled my iPhone 7 Plus order last week. Yes, I still had a two-week wait before it was scheduled to arrive, but it wasn't impatience that got the better of me. It was where I live: Japan. iPhones sold here (and in Korea) hold the dubious honor of being customized for their markets. We're not talking about extra mobile wallet functions, but a limitation -- a constraint. Ever since the iPhone 3GS arrived in Japan in 2008, taking a photo and even a screenshot (ugh) has been accompanied by a mandatory shutter noise -- one that iPhone users elsewhere probably turn off right away. Even switching to mute mode doesn't halt the awkward "passht" that was added to discourage covert photography. I'll soon leave Japan and return to my native England, at which point I'll reconsider upgrading. I'm not buying another Japanese iPhone.
Fuze is the first iPhone 7 headphone jack case you can preorder
It was only a matter of time until iPhone 7 accessory makers started delivering a slew of cases to bring back the 3.5mm headphone jack. But I didn't expect the first case that you could actually preorder -- Fuze -- would come from a tiny Austin outfit's Indiegogo campaign. For the most part, Fuze doesn't pack in any surprises. It's a traditional case for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus that includes a headphone jack and also recharges your phone. That's it! But given the outcry against the loss of the 3.5mm port, its basic feature set might still win over some fans.
The iOS Portrait Mode update is live in public beta
Apple just launched iOS 10 last week, but it's already working full throttle on the next update. Today, Apple made iOS 10.1 available in its public beta program, just one day after launching it for developers. The latest update adds Portrait Mode to the iPhone 7 Plus, allowing owners to take professional-looking photos that artfully blur out the background to better focus on the main object. Portrait Mode requires two photos to create a depth map, which is one reason it's limited to the iPhone 7 Plus -- only the Plus has a dual-camera system.
Engadget UK giveaway: Win an iPhone 7 courtesy of Mobilefun.co.uk
It's that time of year again. Do you upgrade to a new iPhone or hold out for next year's models? Or, do you just let us make that decision for you? Thanks to our friends at Mobilefun.co.uk, we've got a silver iPhone 7 (32GB) to give away this week, complete with one of the accessory specialist's cases "for life." Even if you don't win, you can take advantage of this promotion and get a free, clear shell for your 7 or 7 Plus by signing up to the retailer's newsletter. Once you've received your cover, you can always unsubscribe if you're not interested in the tips and offers, and you'll still be able to claim another free iPhone case every time you upgrade (hence the "for life" clarifier). As always, you can enter the competition up to three times via the widget below -- after you've read the rules, that is.
