The AppAdvice Tech Week in Review: 'iPhone 8' Chatter Begins

Yeah, the rumors have started

Early production issues have slowed deliveries on the Jet Black iPhone 7. No matter, as the “iPhone 8” rumors have begun.

The next iPhone is likely to feature a scratch-resistant all-glass finish on both the front and back, with stainless steel edges for premium models. Additionally, the “iPhone 8 Plus” cold be the first to include an OLED display.

BlackBerry squashed

The BlackBerry phone is no more. This week, the Canadian company announced that it would shift to a services-only business model.

As late as 2009, BlackBerry controlled over 20 percent of the worldwide smartphone OS market share. In the second quarter of 2016, BlackBerry accounted for just 0.1 percent of the market, according to Statista.

Other news:

• Some Verizon Users Reporting LTE Connectivity Issues With the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus
• Cupertino Finally Opens up About Apple Music’s Biggest New Feature
• Apple’s Latest Enterprise Partnership is With Professional Services Firm Deloitte

The party is apparently over for Phoneys, the top paid sticker app in the iMessage App Store. Developer Adam Howell, in a Medium post, said that Apple will pull the app in a week if it is not significantly changed.

The app, which allowed users to send stickers that look exactly like iMessage bubbles, received a nice dose of publicity and rocketed up the charts in the very popular new store.

For more App Store news:

• Ubisoft’s Face Up Makes a Guessing Game Out of Selfies
• Alto’s Adventure Adds Support For Haptic Feedback on the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus
• Skype Now Works With Apple’s SiriKit and CallKit in iOS 10
• Sit With Us Helps Promote Kindness, Inclusion in Schools

This week, Christine added five new titles to our app review library.

• It’s a Concrete Jungle Out There in This Challenging Mashup
• Embark on New Adventures as the Burly Men at Sea
• Become a Professional Dogsledder in Dog Sled Saga
• Glide Through the Cracks and Test Your Reflexes in Slip Away Mystify
• It’s a Disco Party in This Charming Puzzle Platformer

Snapchat is getting into the hardware business in a big way. The social media giant announced Spectacles, a $130 pair of sunglasses that can also capture 10-second videos.

Arriving sometime this fall and available in three different colors – black, teal, and coral – the integrated video camera is designed to capture a full day worth of video on a single charge.

See also:

• 5 Great iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Cases That Cost Less Than $20
• Fall For These 7 Great Bluetooth Speakers
• 7 Essential Accessories for Your Apple iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus
• Apple’s W1 Chip Greatly Improves Battery Life in the New Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones

What did you see as the biggest story in tech? Let us know in the comments below.