The AppAdvice tech week in review: Apple deals with ‘Batterygate’
Still waiting for a new Apple TV? Your wait is almost over, we think. Here’s our look back at the week that was in tech.
The biggest story of the week: “Batterygate”
It seems that each new iPhone release brings with it a new controversy. In 2010 with the iPhone 4, it was “Antennagate.” Last year, some iPhone 6 Plus owners complained of “Bendgate.” This year, the talk is about Batterygate.
Two different companies – Samsung and TSMC – manufacture the A9 chip powering the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The Samsung chip is slightly smaller than TSMC’s version. According to YouTuber Jonathan Morrison, this difference is enough for the battery on iPhones with the Samsung chip to drain quicker.
According to Apple, the difference is “within just 2-3% of each other.”
Is this a big deal? I don’t believe so, and I say this as someone with a Samsung-powered iPhone 6s Plus.
Others may disagree. If you want to know which one you have, download the free app Lirum Device Info Lite. The TSMC chip is model N71MAP for the iPhone 6s and N66MAP for the iPhone 6s Plus. Samsung’s model number is N71AP in the iPhone 6s and N66AP in the iPhone 6s Plus.
Also making news: October tricks
It looks like the fourth-generation Apple TV won’t be arriving in October, as once believed. A report by 9to5Mac notes that the revamped set-top box won’t be arriving in stores and homes until the beginning of November alongside the new iPad Pro. Online sales for the Apple TV are still projected to begin in late October, which technically means that Apple’s promise of an October launch is still valid.
In the meantime, the recently introduced Roku 4 is arriving this month. The 4K-compatible device is available for preorder at $129.99, with an expected shipping date of Oct. 21.
Other industry news this week:
- Apple: Developers, no installing your own root certificates
- Options for purchasing the iPhone 6s expand to more countries
- AT&T seemingly turns on Wi-Fi calling for iOS 9 iPhone users nationwide
- Microsoft responds to Apple with the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book laptop
- The Apple Watch Hermès collection is now available to purchase
Big app news: Twitter’s Moments
Jack Dorsey is in as the official permanent CEO of Twitter, and he’s quickly announced the launch of Project Lightning, according to Re/code. Project Lighting is a multimedia update the social media outlet has been pitching for months in an attempt to resuscitate growth and get the company back on track with Wall Street. Now called Moments, this monumental new product launch is being seen by many as a Hail Mary throw to try rejuvenating Twitter.
Other app news:
- The updated Overcast podcast player offers all free features
- Medium 2.0 brings seamless sync, image zoom and a new look
- Get up and go with FitApp, the GPS activity tracker
- Be fast, be fearless in Need for Speed No Limits
- Fantastical 2 gains 3D Touch, multitasking and more
What’s coming up? The week ahead
GameBeat 2015 begins tomorrow, Oct. 12. The two-day event is being held in San Francisco, California.
Also beginning on Monday is Techweek New York 2015. The event runs through Oct. 18.
WIRED 2015 begins in London, England on Oct. 15.
Finally, in perhaps the biggest news of THIS week, “The Walking Dead” begins its sixth season tonight on AMC. Whether you’re on Team Rick or Team Morgan, let the mayhem commence.
What will be happening in the week ahead? Visit AppAdvice to find out.
Main image: AMC
