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Monday, January 28, 2019

Apple's Interest in Augmented Reality Technology Continues at CES 2019

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AppleInsider reports that Apple engineers and key personnel were continuing to show interest in AR (Augmented Reality) technology companies at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

More than half a dozen incognito Apple representatives, including employees of known subsidiaries, visited AR waveguide suppliers like DigiLens, Lumus, Vuzix and WaveOptics at CES 2019, according to a person with knowledge of the meetings.

Apple has been known to be interested in AR / VR technology for years with reports of hundreds of employees working on the technology. Tim Cook notably said in 2017 that the technology to do AR glasses in a "quality way" didn't yet exist, indicating that they would wait until Apple could deliver the best experience.

Rumors of an Apple AR Headset reignited when a report in April of 2018 suggested that a headset was actively being developed with a launch target of 2020. Since that rumor, it was revealed that Apple had also purchased Akonia Holographics, a startup that makes lenses for augmented reality glasses.

Related Roundup: Apple VR Project

This article, "Apple's Interest in Augmented Reality Technology Continues at CES 2019" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Nokia 1 Plus Leaked Online Revealing Design, Entry-level Specifications, MWC 2019 Launch Possible

via News – MySmartPrice http://bit.ly/2DCqy5j

Vizio Offers Beta Signup for AirPlay 2 SmartCast TV Software

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At CES this year, Vizio announced that their SmartCast TVs would be receiving support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit in a free over-the-air update later this year. This would allow iOS and Mac users to stream music and video to SmartCast-enabled Vizio TVs, as well as allow users to control the TV from their Home app on iOS or via Siri voice commands.

Vizio promised that beta testers would be allowed access to the software in the first quarter of 2019. Vizio has now posted a blog post (via Engadget) describing the upcoming features as well as a link to sign up for beta access (scroll to bottom).

If you have a SmartCast-enabled VIZIO TV and an updated iOS device, you could be selected to participate in the beta. Provide your email, and we’ll get back to you soon with more details on how to get started.

Vizio has said that specific models as far back as 2016 will be getting the update.

Tags: HomeKit, AirPlay 2, Vizio

This article, "Vizio Offers Beta Signup for AirPlay 2 SmartCast TV Software" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2G5IRl2

Sunday, January 27, 2019

[Exclusive] OPPO to Soon Launch F11, F11 Pro, and R17 Neo Smartphones in India

via News – MySmartPrice http://bit.ly/2SafSmx

Ming-Chi Kuo Says 'Worst Soon Over' in Regards to Slowing iPhone Sales

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Earlier this month, Apple lowered its revenue guidance for the first quarter of the 2019 fiscal year by up to $9 billion due to fewer iPhone upgrades than it anticipated, particularly in the Greater China region.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, however, believes the "worst" will be "soon over" in regards to the slowdown. In his latest research note with TF International Securities, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo opined that the "share prices of Apple and most iPhone suppliers are generally priced in the negative."

Our report published on December 14, 2018, was the first to cut the estimation of 2019 iPhone shipments to 190mn units or less; the current market consensus on 2019 iPhone shipments (160–180mn units) is much lower than our estimation and we believe the share prices of Apple and most iPhone suppliers are generally priced in the negative.

We maintain our forecast of 188–192mn units for 2019 iPhone shipments. We believe the downside risks of share prices for the Apple and iPhone supply chain are limited in the near term given that 2Q19 iPhone shipments will likely be better than the market consensus.

Kuo has slightly cut his estimate for iPhone shipments in the first quarter of 2019 from 38–42 million units to 36–38 million units because the "demand for new models in China and emerging markets is lower than expected," but he believes the decline will begin to ease starting in the second quarter.

Specifically, he estimates iPhone shipments in the second quarter of 2019 will reach 34–37 million units, slightly higher than the market consensus of 30–35 million units. That would still be a roughly 14 percent decline on a year-over-year basis, but far better than an estimated 29 percent drop in the first quarter.

As long as the US-China trade war does not worsen, Kuo expects the improvement to continue into the second half of 2019, with iPhone shipments likely to be generally flat compared to the second half of 2018 thanks to stronger replacement demand, trade-in programs, and market share gain in European markets.

Kuo maintains his forecast of 188–192 million iPhone shipments in 2019.

Related Roundups: iPhone XS, iPhone XR

Tags: Ming-Chi Kuo, TF International Securities

Buyer's Guide: iPhone XS (Neutral), iPhone XR (Buy Now)

This article, "Ming-Chi Kuo Says 'Worst Soon Over' in Regards to Slowing iPhone Sales" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories http://bit.ly/2TgeEDF