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What to Expect From Apple's October Mac Event
First Impressions From New iPhone XR Owners
Hidden mythical beasts liven up pictures of 2019 Ford Ranger pickup

What to Expect From Apple's October Mac Event

Posted: 27 Oct 2018 05:04 AM PDT

To nobody's great surprise, the previous Apple event, in September, was the traditional start-of-fall fest that was all about the phones, revealing the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max to the world. This time around, according to the most credible rumors, the Cupertino crew is ready to show off what could be music to your ears: new Macs and iPads.

Rather than hosting the press in California as it usually does, Apple is coming right to PCMag's backyard here in New York City. On October 30 at 10 a.m. (ET), the tech giant will take the stage at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. While nothing is confirmed yet, obviously, the rumor mill has been pretty consistent: It's likely the turn of the iPad Pro and the desktop Macs to get refreshed.

First Up: A New iPad Pro?

A new iPad Pro is chief among the expectations, with multiple specifics floating around the web. According to 9to5mac, which cites "sources familiar with the development of the new 2018 iPad Pro," the tablet will follow in the footsteps of the iPhones and do away with the Home button. It will also add Face ID, which would help make that transition seamless.

Another key addition will reportedly be a USB Type-C port, which will be able to output 4K HDR video to external displays. If it happens, it'll be nice to see this increasingly industry-standard connection on another Apple product, given that the iPhones are still sticking with Lightning connectors. It's very possible there will be more than one model of this new iPad Pro, varying either in size or storage capacity (or both).

Second Up: Desktops Are Overdue (MacBooks, Too)

Less certain have been rumors of new Macs, but some seemingly concrete evidence has emerged this week. Apple Insider cites both Consomac and MySmartPrice as having spotted Eurasian regulatory filings that hint strongly at three new desktops and one new MacBook. This is based on filed model numbers, so while that's no exact science, those model numbers have not been used before, which makes this clue a credible one.

So, what would we expect these computers to be? A revised MacBook, in whatever form it might come, would likely be a low-price option. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo projected this 13-inch unit will bear a Retina display and support for Touch ID, as well as slimmer bezels. The 13-inch screen size suggests a new version of the MacBook Air, which got a modest spec boost last year, to the then already-dated 5th Generation "Broadwell" family of mobile CPUs. (The smaller non-Air MacBook has a slightly smaller panel in its current incarnation.)

Indeed, we would think this is the tipping point for the Air, either forward or into the grave. The Air, as a whole, hasn't been refined in three years, and in its current version has a display that's way overdue for an upgrade, well lower in resolution than the 1080p norm. Alternatively, Apple could do away with the Air model entirely, and this new low-cost model could just be an entry-level evolution that's part of the general non-Pro MacBook line. (After all, 13-inch-screened MacBook Pros do exist.)

If a new MacBook of any stripe does emerge, one thing it will have is a pick of new Intel CPUs, making up for chronically behind-the-curve MacBook processing of the past few years. This will be either an 8th Generation "Coffee Lake" chip or an even newer "Whiskey Lake" CPU.

As for the desktops, it would make the most sense if there was one new 21-inch iMac, a new 27-inch iMac, and a Mac Mini. There are no guarantees that's what we'll get, of course, but it would follow both tradition and current rumor.

The iMacs would likely boast a screen update of some kind (maybe standardizing on 4K or 5K, or incorporating HDR; the screens are already up there in pixel count), as well as an internals boost—I wouldn't expect anything major. Best guesses: PCI Express NVMe SSDs, 8th Generation CPUs.

Third Up: The Desktop Outliers

The Mac Mini is the least likely, at least if you believe the quantity of buzz around it. It has been mentioned only briefly in rumors, but there is clearly demand, and it hasn't been updated since 2014. There are also no assurances Apple will reveal these desktops at this event despite the filings, but it would certainly make the most sense given the theme and the chip cadences involved.

In the end, Apple sent out dozens of invitations to press with differently styled Apple logos (our furry orange one is above), but with the same tagline: "There's more in the making." Going off of the obvious, a creator's focus would seem to be the underlying message, which indicates to us the iMacs first and foremost, with the iPad Pros a close second. We'll see what actually emerges, but given Intel's chip releases over the last quarter, the time is ripe for a refresh for all of the desktops—possibly even the iMac Pro (which we looked at earlier this year) or revelations about the long-rumored modular Mac Pro; the latter is expected to roll out in 2019, not 2018.

Check back for our live coverage on Tuesday, Oct. 30th, as well as our hands-on experiences from the show floor.

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First Impressions From New iPhone XR Owners

Posted: 26 Oct 2018 11:40 AM PDT

We've seen plenty of iPhone XR reviews from media sites that Apple invited to test the new device ahead of its release, but now that the iPhone XR has officially launched in all countries around the world, iPhone XR first impressions from regular Apple customers are now available.

New iPhone XR owners on Reddit, Twitter, and the MacRumors forums have been sharing their opinions on the new device, and for those considering a purchase, thoughts from average consumers provide useful insight.

iPhone XR image via Reddit

On iPhone XR Size, Color, and Design

MacRumors reader Kendo warned that the iPhone XR isn't a middle ground between the XS and the XS Max due to the size of the device's bezels. If you wanted the iPhone XR because the iPhone XS Max was too big, you may still be unhappy with the size.

Because the bezels are one mm thicker (two if you include both sides) and with the 6.1" screen, the width is pretty much identical to the XS Max. It is only a little shorter but also significantly thicker. I was originally in the market for a slightly bigger phone than the XS and a slightly smaller phone than the Max (the cheaper price was just icing on the cake). However because the width is essentially the same, you are better off just getting a Max if money wasn't a concern and you only wanted an "in between" size between the XS and the Max. If you're going to handle a bulky phone anyway, you might as well get the bigger screen on the Max since the width and weight are really similar to the XR.

MacRumors reader tks900 said that he's having second thoughts about his iPhone XR due to its size compared to the iPhone 6s even though the display is gorgeous.

However: It's quite big. And heavy. Coming from the 6S, this is a really different animal. I have large hands and am used to handle my phone with one hand. Impossible with the XR. This bulkiness of this thing becomes even more obvious when I use it with a case. I know many people won't, but to me, the phone is just too slippery without a case and actually even harder to handle.

Redditor Meerkatch said the iPhone XR feels like a toy version of the iPhone XS due to the bezel size.

The bezels on the sides are noticeably big in real life, the bezels are like how a glass screen protector is on an iPhone 6, but the screen protector is the actual screen of the phone excluding the home button and the camera and including a notch (if that makes sense). I wouldn't say it's enough justification to get the Xs. I felt like it's a toy version of the Xs for some reason, it feels like an Apple Watch Sport compared to the Apple Watch Edition (Xs).

Redditor downwardCorgi said that the red color is brighter than blood red and that the bezels aren't noticeable. Using it one handed in some situations is difficult, he says.

It is a slightly darker shade than a typical rainbow flag red. It's maybe slightly brighter than actual blood red. And yeah now that everything is rounded, it's kinda cute. If the display was small the same bezels would look larger, but the phone itself is already big, you just look at the content on the screen, not the bezels.
Reaching top is fine if you use reachability. It's another step but I think it's a fine compromise. Reaching the left edge with the right hand thumb to go back to the previous page is kinda hard but it's possible. So in short, vertically it's fine if you use reachability, it's quick and easy, horizontally, reaching all the way to the other side with a thumb is a bit hard when one-handed. When using with just left hand, probably not as much an issue cause I don't think there's gestures to swipe from the right edge. But typing with one hand still is hard due to the horizontal length.

MacRumors reader c.s. pointed out that the iPhone XR is much easier to grip than older aluminum iPhones, for customers who are coming from an iPhone 7 or earlier.

Just picked up an iPhone XR at the Apple store to replace my iPhone 7. No line at noon, it was an easy buying experience. I've always used the Apple leather case on my 7, and I was pleasantly surprised when handling the XR. My 7 always felt slippery when out of the case, but the XR is much more grippy to me. In fact, I'm opting to go caseless and just got AppleCare in case I regret that decision.

I’ve got my iPhone xr setting up right now. First thing I liked, even though it’s heavier it doesn’t feel as heavy as the 7 plus. First thing I don’t like, the bevel around the screen is pretty thick.
— Probably not a Hero (HSH) 💛 (@HalfSh3ll3dH3r0) October 26, 2018

On the iPhone XR's Display

Redditor 3mbersea shared images of the iPhone XR and iPhone XS Max screens side by side in portrait and landscape mode. 3mbersea says there's a "big difference" in screen quality when watching high quality videos, but not in regular use.

MacRumors reader Nitefly shared some details on the display of the iPhone XR, pointing out that there's some color shifting, but it's slight.

I am posting this from an XR. Phhwooooar what a phone!
There is some colour shift. However, the point at which it makes a material difference is the point at which you would never choose to use the screen at that angle.
In other words, the colour shift is slight in a generous viewing field. At extreme angles, ones you couldn't even watch TV shows from, it is more pronounced. I'd say the screen dimming is more obvious than the colour shifting. Likewise, it's really quite immaterial.
My god, the camera is ace. Also, I viewed this screen right next to an XS and could not see a difference in sharpness at a sensible, 'phone using' distance.

Redditor MonstersUGrad98 confirms that the XR uses the same iOS layout as Plus-sized iPhones, showing a two-column split view in apps like Messages and Mail.

MacRumors reader gig090 said that the iPhone XR's display resolution is "fine" and nothing that you need to worry about, even compared to the XS. The bezels, though, are "a little bit too fat" in comparison to the iPhone XS.

Got my iPhone XR a few hours ago. Very happy with it so far. A big upgrade. The display comments were highly exaggerated - it looks beautiful. Great job @Apple
— aphel (@itsaphel) October 26, 2018

MacRumors reader sjperformance said the LCD display is great, but he prefers the smaller bezels of the XS and XS Max.

Overall good LCD display. Probably best LCD display on an iPhone. The Max a little bit taller. Width is about the same. Weight is good on this XR too. Now the bezels...I don't like them but it's ok. Prefer the smaller thinner bezels of the OLED displays.

On the A12 Bionic Processor

Redditor imagineJack, who came to the iPhone XR from Android, says it's super fast and responsive.

The phone is extremely snappy, fast and responsive. Every app I'm opening stays in memory for ages. (Not sure if this is just a general iOS 12 thing but it's great.) The speakers are great, the camera is great.

iPhone XR first impressions: It’s a bit too big, but I think I’ll get used to it. FaceID is amazing, speed is amazing, screen is amazing, camera is amazing. It’s all amazing. Battery life is excellent too. Now I just have to not drop it!
— Orion Edwards (@borland) October 26, 2018

Have a new iPhone XR? Feel free to share your first impressions and your photos in the comments below.

We'll be sharing a more in-depth look at the iPhone XR and comparing the iPhone XR's camera to the iPhone XS camera, so make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors for more iPhone XR coverage.

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Hidden mythical beasts liven up pictures of 2019 Ford Ranger pickup

Posted: 27 Oct 2018 04:00 AM PDT

Mark Phelan Detroit Free Press

Published 7:49 AM EDT Oct 27, 2018

The first look at the 2019 Ford Ranger drew a crowd, but who would’ve expected to see the Loch Ness Monster in the background?

In the spirit of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," Nessie makes a cameo appearance in promotional photos for Ford’s new midsize pickup. Mythical and extinct — or are they? — critters including a Jackalope and dinosaurs are among the "Easter eggs" Ford has hidden in photos that show Ranger owners fishing, cycling and enjoying other activities that get them close to nature.

Not every image in the Ranger gallery has a shy beastie lurking in the background. Some just show the truck, while others include mysterious tracks and other hints of the marvels awaiting adventurous Ranger owners.

The idea was born in an early internal presentation on the Ranger’s features. A team member created a PowerPoint slide that illustrated pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking by showing a Ranger stopping on a wooded trail to avoid hitting Sasquatch.

“Ranger is a fun nameplate. We decided to do things a little differently from full-size trucks,” Ranger marketing manager Chad Callander said.

Hidden inside jokes like this are called Easter eggs. The idea was born by video game designers hiding creating gags real fans would appreciate. Fiat Chrysler designers joined the fun with Easter eggs that include scattering little silhouettes of the original ’41 Willys Army Jeep around new vehicles.

Ford snuck the first two Ranger Easter eggs into photos it posted online when the pickup debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last January. It’s not clear when the first-sharp-eyed Ranger fan spotted one. The idea caught on and Ford has added eight. Nobody’s saying if there are more to come.

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“People reacted very favorably,” Callander said. “It’s a good way to engage potential owners.” The Easter egg hunt also keeps people on the website longer, every marketer’s dream.

The Easter eggs were a closely held secret within Ford. The marketing team came up with the idea and executed it.