Are you ready for an all-glass iPhone? It may be on the way, and that fancy iPhone 7 Pro that’s been making its rounds in the rumor mill is said to be dead.
A report this morning from Nikkei notes that Apple supplier Foxconn is developing a glass casing for the iPhone, which is believed to be released in 2017. It’s said to have been i the works for a year, and a response to slow sales:
Interestingly, slumping sales are also cited as reason Apple has moved away from producing three different iPhones for a Fall release. Many (myself included) believed an iPhone 7 Pro would carry Apple’s Smart Connector and dual lens cameras, and be situated as an upgrade to the iPhone 7 Plus.
Now it seems the ‘Pro’ will simply replace the Plus:
Many pundits think Apple will go all-in on a flashy new iPhone next year for its tenth anniversary, so a glass iPhone may not be so far-fetched.
And it’s making us wonder if that’s why Apple was so keen to get its sapphire glass facility up and running in Arizona. Were we supposed to get a glass iPhone this year, maybe?
As for the Pro/Plus debacle, I’d like to see Apple make the Plus (or Pro, whatever they call the thing you upgrade to from the 4.7-inch iPhone) an actual worthwhile upgrade and not just a device with a larger screen.
Google plans to launch Chromecast in the UK within weeks
Google’s Chromecast is finally expanding beyond the US with a launch in the UK. Electrical retailer Currys expects to sell the tiny streaming dongle from March 1, although a Google spokesperson told TNW although it’s a provisional release date which is still to be confirmed.
It’s the first market outside of the US where Google will be launching the device, which allows users to easily view tabs in Chrome and native apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, VEVO, HBO GO and Google Play Movies on their TV.
Earlier this week, Google launched an official Google Cast SDK so that any developer could add Chromecast support for their native apps. Since the announcement, Beats Music and Rdio have confirmed that they’re now working on Chromecast streaming for their services.
We’re yet to hear how much the Chromecast will cost in the UK, or whether it will be available in other retailers, including the Google Play webstore. Regardless, the move signals Google’s ambitions and support for the device – which some had feared would end up like the mostly unsuccessful Google TV .
Image Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The 360 Eye is Dyson’s first robotic vacuum cleaner
For those tired of doing all the manual sucking and blowing – when it comes to cleaning house, of course – Dyson has announced the 360 Eye , a robot vacuum that’ll do all the dirty work under your commands.
The Dyson 360 Eye features the company’s proprietary Root Cyclone technology to spin dust and dirt into tiny particles. As its name suggests, the device is equipped with a 360-degree panoramic camera and infrared sensors to detect its surroundings, allowing for precise positioning and efficient navigation.
The machine is designed to work on all floor types, using a combination of carbon fiber brush for hard surfaces and nylon bristles clean carpets. It’s even got mini terrain tracks to help move it through small obstacles.
You can also schedule the 360 Eye to clean house via an Android or iOS app. The machine can run for approximately 30 minutes at full charge, and self-docks at the sleek, thin charging station when battery is low.
The Dyson 360 Eye is expected to launch in Japan in spring 2015, with an international release later in the year.
➤ Dyson 360 Eye