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It was a relatively quiet weekend on the Apple front, although we’ve managed to round up all the news that’s fit to print in today’s Morning Report, including a look at what could be the latest design for Apple’s USB power adapter, a peek at a schematic for the M8 processor, and details on how Apple plans to sell Beats Music to iTunes customers. Click on to read the details!
Apple’s USB Power Adapter Spotted with New Design
MacRumors reported Saturday that Apple’s current USB power adapter appears to be getting a fresh new look, judging from an image leaked to Weibo (above). In addition to a less-square design with rounded corners, the adapter features dimples on each side that make it easier to hold and inset the adapter into an AC power outlet.
But exactly how “fresh” is the new design? According to a MacRumors forum poster, the exact same design is currently used on Apple’s power adapters in Australia, although with entirely different prongs — the United States and other countries use Type A prongs, which are clearly pictured here. The natural assumption is the new design will be arriving here with the iPhone 6, presumably the next Apple product to use such an adapter.
Schematic Offers Clues to Apple’s Next-Gen M8 Processor
AppleInsider today reported that a schematic published on Weibo appears to offer a first look at what Apple may have in store for this year’s M8 system-on-a-chip, including an updated motion coprocessor codenamed “Phosphorus,” which allegedly will work hand-in-hand with Cupertino’s new iOS 8-based Health app.
According to GeekBar, Phosphorus could be used to “collect and interpret new health-related data for the next-generation iPhone,” including “heart rate, calories burned, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and more.” Like the current generation M7 found in the iPhone 5s, the M8 motion coprocessor will also stealthily track a user’s activity similar to pedometers such as Fitbit, capable of communicating data to compatible apps, including Apple’s own Health solution expected to arrive next month with iOS 8.
Apple Begins Peddling Beats Music to iTunes Customers via Email
In case you haven’t heard, Apple picked up a little company called Beats Electronics this summer, and has already integrated its subscription-based streaming music service Beats Music into the “Apps by Apple” section on the App Store. According to 9to5Mac, the next step appears to be indoctrinating iTunes customers into the fold, courtesy of an email that introduces them to the wonders of Beats.
“Get Beats Music, now part of the Apple family,” the email reads below the headline, “The right music, right now.” The promotional email shows how Beats Music offers “Tune Your Taste” and “Just For You” features, encouraging iTunes customers to download the free app from the App Store and give it a spin.
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(Image courtesy of MacRumors and Weibo)
