Apple reportedly talking to HBO, Showtime, and Starz for its upcoming video service

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Ahead of the company’s March 25^th event for the rumoured video subscription service, Apple is reportedly in talks with HBO, Showtime, and Starz to provide content. The company’s own original programming is reportedly not far along enough to be ready when the service launches. And that’s why it needs partners to provide content for its service. These three aforementioned networks are reportedly still negotiating over things like user experience and marketing, but a deal might be reached with some of them by Friday. Netflix and Hulu were reportedly in talks with Apple before but neither wanted anything to do with the service.

Bloomberg’s report suggests the service will live inside the Apple TV app for iOS and Apple TV, but it isn’t clear yet what this is going to look like or how it’ll affect non-subscribers who have Apple TV. We’re set to find out answers to these questions soon. We’re also geared to hear more about Apple’s new magazine subscription service. It’s being reported that these two will be separate subscriptions but there might be bundles to entice users to get both. The magazine subscription service is expected to be part of the Apple News app.

Source: The Verge

Apple reportedly working on making its own modems

What might be costing Apple a lot right now could pay off in the long run. Reuters reports that Apple is seriously considering making its own in-house smartphone modems so that it won’t have to rely on the likes of Intel and Qualcomm to make it for them. The report cites two anonymous sources who are said to be familiar with the matter. The sources claim Apple has shifted engineering staff that worked on modem technology in the supply chain division to its in-house hardware tech division. Report claims Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, has also taken over the company’s modem design efforts last month.

Modems are integral for phones to connect to wireless network towers. Qualcomm used to supply these for Apple before their relationship turned sour. Intel took over but rumour has it Apple isn’t particularly happy with the company’s performance. It makes sense then that they might want to shift to making their own modems. Some of its Android competitors, like Huawei and Samsung, already make their own modems.

Another leaked render shows off possible triple-lens setup for the 2019 iPhone

We’ve already seen one interpretation of the triple-lens setup for the next iPhone. Now, Steve Hemmerstoffer (a.k.a. OnLeaks) is back to share another one. He teamed up again with Indian site CompareRaja to show one with a horizontal setup. It has the three lenses in the middle with the flash located somewhere between the lenses. It has this sort of cyclops feel to it. In front, there seems to be a slimmed down notch that houses the front-facing camera and TrueDepth system. You get a mic at the bottom with the volume buttons on the left and power button to the right. Hemmerstoffer and CompareRaja claim these are “100% legit prototypes” but that the phones are still in the EVT stage or Engineering Validation Test with Apple still deciding on the design.

According to current rumours, only the next-gen replacement of the iPhone XS Max will be getting the triple-camera setup, while the XS and XR will retain a dual-lens setup. For now, we haven’t heard much about these claims of a triple camera setup, but you’ll definitely hear more from us whether or not this plan does happen.

Source: MacRumors

Apple HomePod will reportedly let you make calls soon

Review: Apple HomePodA recent report claims you’ll get more out of your HomePod soon. It’ll supposedly bring one important feature: the ability to make and receive calls. According to iGeneration, their look at the iOS 12-based software update for the device will let this happen, among some other useful features. As long as the HomePod is paired with your phone, it’ll let you make or answer calls. It’ll also help you locate your iPhone, improve translation features, and have the ability to switch Wi-Fi networks without needing to reset the device. If the report is to be believed, this might make the HomePod a more attractive purchase for consumers.

Source: TechRadar