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Apple has officially launched iOS 18.2, introducing a wave of innovative features that redefine personalisation, creativity, and AI-powered user interactions. The update, available across compatible iPhones, places a spotlight on advanced capabilities like <keyword id="22547841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Image-Playground" source="keywords">Image Playground</keyword>, GenMoji, and <keyword id="21995043" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Siri-enhancements" source="keywords">Siri enhancements</keyword>, setting the stage for a more immersive and intelligent iOS experience. One of the standout features of iOS 18.2 is Image Playground, a dynamic tool that turns user prompts into visually striking creations. Leveraging advanced AI technology, this feature allows users to generate unique images by describing their vision in text. Whether crafting personalised holiday cards or brainstorming creative concepts, Image Playground ensures that every output is polished and tailored to the user’s imagination. Another exciting addition is GenMoji, a next-generation avatar builder that blends realism with extensive customisation. From lifelike facial expressions to intricate accessories, users can create avatars that resonate with their individuality. These GenMojis integrate seamlessly across Apple services, including messaging and social media sharing, making communication more expressive than ever. Siri also receives a significant upgrade in iOS 18.2. The virtual assistant now offers enhanced contextual understanding, allowing it to deliver smarter recommendations and more precise real-time translations. For example, Siri can provide tailored suggestions for navigating through apps or managing daily tasks, thanks to its improved understanding of user behaviour. The update also highlights Apple’s commitment to creativity and inclusivity. For instance, iOS 18.2 introduces accessibility features that cater to users with diverse needs, ensuring the operating system remains user-friendly for everyone. iOS 18.2 is not just about individual features—it’s about delivering a cohesive experience. The update integrates AI-powered tools to create a system that feels intuitive, engaging, and innovative. Apple is positioning this release as a bridge between personalisation and practicality, empowering users to explore their creativity while making everyday tasks more seamless. The rollout of iOS 18.2 aligns with Apple’s broader vision of enhancing its ecosystem with smarter tools and inclusive technologies. The company continues to raise the bar for mobile operating systems, ensuring that iPhones remain at the forefront of technological advancement. With iOS 18.2 now available for download, users can experience the future of personalisation, creativity, and AI-driven interactions right at their fingertips.

Apple unveils iOS 18.2: Here are the new Apple Intelligence features

<ul><li>New <keyword id="19967412" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-features" source="keywords">AI features</keyword> are coming to your <keyword id="19912026" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iPhone" source="keywords">iPhone</keyword></li><li>iPhone has released the <keyword id="23093613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iOS-18-2" source="keywords">iOS 18.2</keyword> developer beta</li><li>The update brings various new features</li></ul> Ever since <keyword id="19918823" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OpenAI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="OpenAI" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="OpenAI">OpenAI</keyword>, Google and Microsoft started focusing on AI, people have been wondering about when will <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword> join the race. The Cupertino based tech giant might be fashionably late to the party but it looks like it is here to stay. The company is doubling down on AI with the latest developer beta of iOS 18.2, packed with new features that are set to reshape how users interact with their iPhones. Fresh off the excitement of iOS 18.1, which introduced a few AI-driven tools like text rewriting and basic photo editing, the iOS 18.2 beta promises an even deeper integration of AI into daily iPhone use. However, only those with newer models like the iPhone 15 Pro and <keyword id="13667472" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iphone-16" source="Orion">iPhone 16</keyword> series will be able to take advantage of these features. <h2>Say hello to <keyword id="19918826" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ChatGPT" source="keywords">ChatGPT</keyword> on iPhone </h2> ChatGPT’s integration with the iPhone was announced earlier this year and has been making headlines. The popular AI chatbot, which was one of the first chatbots to receive such massive popularity, will be coming to your iPhones. ChatGPT is now embedded directly into Siri and Apple’s writing tools. This partnership allows Siri to outsource more complex queries to ChatGPT, transforming the way users engage with their devices. What’s more? You won’t even need an OpenAI account to interact with ChatGPT on iPhone. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114501717" title="This is what Apple CEO Tim Cook named his group chat with college friends" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>AI-powered writing tools </h2> Apart from this, Apple’s AI-powered writing tools, first introduced in iOS 18.1, are also getting a boost. These tools can now proofread, rewrite, and even suggest new content across multiple apps such as Mail, Notes, and Pages. The new “Describe your change” feature lets users refine their text tone, such as asking the AI to “make it sound more formal,” offering a level of customisation not previously available. <h2><keyword id="22547841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Image-Playground" source="keywords">Image Playground</keyword> and Genmoji</h2> Apple has also rolled out its own image generation tool in the form of Image Playground, a new standalone app. Users can create images based on text prompts, whether from their own imagination or Apple’s built-in suggestions. The app even suggests additional edits—such as adding costumes or objects—based on the content of your photos or even text threads in the Messages app. On top of this, Genmoji lets users create custom emojis from text prompts, offering an endless range of personalisation. You can even generate emoji versions of your friends based on data from your photos, adding a fun and personal twist to your emoji game. Moreover, the Image Wand feature lets users remove unwanted objects from their photos while maintaining the integrity of the background. <h2><keyword id="22245885" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Visual-Intelligence" source="keywords">Visual Intelligence</keyword></h2>For iPhone 16 users, Visual Intelligence is an impressive new feature that leverages AI to analyse images and perform real-time actions. This tool can identify objects in images, read text, and even pull up related information—whether that’s translating a foreign sign or identifying a dog breed. Visual Intelligence takes this functionality a step further by integrating with Google Search or ChatGPT, delivering more detailed results on the fly. In demos, Apple showcased how Visual Intelligence could scan an event poster and create a calendar entry based on the details in the image, offering a seamless blend of image recognition and actionable outcomes. This feature is exclusive to the iPhone 16 models. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113599807" title="Elon Musk to Tim Cook: A morning in the lives of big tech CEOs" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>How to get iOS 18.2 Beta</h2>Currently, the iOS 18.2 beta is available only to select users, specifically those with iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 models, as these devices are the only ones capable of fully supporting Apple Intelligence features. To access the beta, users need to be enrolled in Apple’s beta programme, which they can do through the Software Updates section of the Settings app. After installation, users can join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist within the settings to activate these AI tools. For those willing to wait, the full public release of iOS 18.2 is expected to arrive in December, packed with all the new features—just in time to give your iPhone a major AI upgrade.

Apple unveils preview of new AI features, here is what is coming to your iPhones

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple">Apple</a> is expected to expand Apple Intelligence with an iOS 18.2 update on December 2.</li><li>It will feature enhanced writing tools, ChatGPT, and a visual intelligence tool.</li></ul>Apple has one more AI drop in store for consumers this year.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-intelligence-features-rollout-timeline-iphone-16-2024-9">Apple Intelligence, i</a>ts highly anticipated genAI software, launched with the first set of features on October 28, and the tech giant said it plans to continue the rollout in December.Apple said it plans to build out Apple Intelligence over the next several months, with drops in December and April. The new AI software is only available on iPhone 15 Pro or later.Its upcoming launch is expected to be on December 2 as part of the iOS 18.2 update, in time for the holiday season, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-11-03/apple-finally-finds-its-game-console-rival-with-the-new-m4-and-m4-pro-mac-minis-m31na57p">Bloomberg</a>. Apple said it will include updates to the writing tools feature to handle more specific requests, the introduction of ChatGPT, and Apple's new visual intelligence tool.With visual intelligence, Apple said iPhone 16 owners can use their new <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-16-camera-button-creating-buzz-despite-no-ai-2024-9">Camera Control button</a> to get information on objects or places — or translate languages with AI.Although Apple didn't specify if the customizable emojis known as "genmojis" will be a part of the December launch, Bloomberg reported that would will likely be in iOS 18.2, as well as its image generator app called Image Playground.Top tech companies, like Apple, Microsoft, and Meta, have been spending more on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-scraps-kendall-jenner-tom-brady-celebrity-ai-chatbots-2024-8">AI projects</a> to create the next big thing in GenAI. While its rivals have been quick to announce and launch their AI offerings, Apple is taking a slower approach.Apple Intelligence was announced at the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-wwdc-event-live-updates-keynote-announcements-2024-6">Worldwide Developer Conference</a> in June. The first features debuted four months later.So far, the upgrades expected "in the coming months" also reportedly include a more personal Siri that can better understand context and prioritized notifications. Apple said support for non-English languages will come in April.

Apple has a new batch of AI features arriving in time for the holidays

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">Reuters/Phil McCartenFord CEO Mark Fields</div></div></div>Back in May, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pivotal-raises-253-million-ford-microsoft-2016-5">Ford led a $253 million funding round</a> into software company Pivotal, with Ford <a href="https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2016/05/05/ford-invests-in-pivotal.html">confirming independently</a> that its share of that round was $182.2 million, and that its CIO would be joining the board.It's in good company: Titans of industry like Microsoft, GE, and EMC, the tech company soon to be subsumed by Dell in its own mega-deal, all <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/emc-400-million-equity-deal-in-pivotal-2016-5">own sizable stakes in Pivotal, too.</a>Ford is also a Pivotal customer, announcing back in December 2015 that the two had teamed up to build the software that goes into its efforts to build smarter, internet-enabled cars.Earlier this week, I took a trip to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pivotal-ceo-rob-mee-on-meetings-2016-7">Pivotal's San Francisco headquarters</a>. Something I kept hearing was that the Ford deal came about because CEO Mark Fields himself basically fell in love with Pivotal and everything they do during their initial meetings. Here's why Ford, alongside fellow Fortune 50 customers like Home Depot and Allstate, loves Pivotal so much - and what it is, exactly, that Pivotal does that's so special, based on my observations spending a morning at their offices.<h2>Digital transformation</h2>Pivotal's whole schtick is around "digital transformation." The idea is that thanks to the fact that software keeps eating the world, it's increasingly important that big companies, like Ford, learn how to produce better software. On paper, that sounds easy. After all, these big companies have fundamentally unlimited resources, right? Just hire some programmers and throw money and startup-style catered lunches and at-desk massages at them until you succeed.In reality, though, it's not that simple. The traditional approach to software development, with lots of meetings, design by committee, and tons of red tape to cut through, is still in practice at many companies, large and small. It moves slow, with a very plodding and deliberate pace.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">PivotalPivotal CEO Rob Mee</div></div></div>And so while startups like Uber and Airbnb can push out new apps and few features seemingly overnight, the Fortune 500 has historically been very slow to deliver new software. Tech titans like Google and Facebook are the exceptions, taking that rapid iteration approach and riding it to massive market success.Even if you do adopt that kind of philosophy, you might also find that your technology can't keep up. If your company has been rocking the same approach to IT, with the same old servers and the same app deployment methods since the nineties, it probably can't keep pace with the Google style of working.So if you're a Ford, a Home Depot, or an Allstate - all Pivotal customers - you might find you need some help. Here's where Pivotal comes in. <h2>Boot camp</h2>When a customer contracts up with Pivotal, they're not so much hiring a consultant as they are signing your developers up for an intensive 10-to-12 week co-working program. Pivotal founder CEO and founder Rob Mee points out to Business Insider that it's "about the same amount of time" as the three months of a military boot camp or any other program designed to change habits.Pivotal started in 1989, then known as Pivotal Labs, as a relatively traditional software consultancy. By the end of the nineties, Mee had started to develop some truly radical ideas about how software should be built and teams should be managed - ideas his team imparted on companies like Google and eBay as a contractor, relatively early in their development. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Matt Weinberger/Business Insider</div></div></div>Those ideas have been honed over the intervening decade-plus. Now, when a customer signs on with Pivotal, here's what happens. First, they come in with a project they want to get done, like shipping a new iOS app. To complete that, the customer sends their development team to literally work right alongside Pivotal employees at one of their 17 offices worldwide.For those three months, the customer soaks in all of Pivotal's philosophy around "sustainable software development." Pivotal employees and customer developers group up, learning from each other as they go. At the end of the three months or so, the project may or may not be fully finished. But the customer has, ideally, learned better habits for building software that they stay with and spread to the rest of the company. And, I'm told, Pivotal sees repeat business from teams looking to build new projects and learn new lessons. Even if they then customize it for their own needs, the core tenets stick."It's not a religion, it's not the only way of doing things," Mee says. "Once you've internalized it, you own it."<h2>Lessons learned</h2>The philosophy espoused by Pivotal is what Mee calls "sustainable software development," and it's all about maximizing productivity. For instance, the whole culture is around absolutely minimizing meetings. There's a 9:06am all-hands meeting every day (breakfast is provided), and then, for the most part, no further meetings are required over the course of the day.Instead, Pivotal emphasizes the idea of constant collaboration, on chat services like Slack or otherwise, so problems can be solved as they come up and so appropriate outside parties can be brought in at that moment. Pivotal is also a big proponent of the model of "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pair_programming">pair programming</a>," where two developers work side-by-side, spot-checking each others' code and "co-mentoring" each other.Similarly, in lieu of forcing developer teams to meet with each other, members on each Pivotal team take turns on "Interrupt" duty. As in, if anybody in the company has a question for that team, they're the ones designated to take their headphones off and lend a hand. Everybody else is free to keep coding, with no corporate distractions, guaranteed.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Matt Weinberger/Business InsiderA group of Pivotal and Allstate engineers meet briefly before getting to work in the morning.</div></div></div>Pivotal also espouses the idea of small, "balanced" teams, where product managers, designers, and developers are all represented, such that the needs of one side of the equation are placed over the needs of any others. They're always in communication. Last, but not least, Pivotal sells the Pivotal Cloud Foundry platform, a common platform for developers to build apps faster across their own servers or mega-clouds like Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure."It's a better human capital model," says Pivotal VP of Cloud Platform James Watters.There's always the hazard that even after the three months is up, a customer will go "cargo cult," as Pivotal employee put it, and adopt the look and feel of the Pivotal open floor-plan office...without actually adopting any of the big thoughts on how they build software.But the customers who "get" the Pivotal method, like Mark Fields, absolutely love it, I heard from Pivots (that's what they call themselves). And with Ford boasting that Pivotal has helped it decrease the time it takes to roll out some new software from months to weeks, it seems to be working. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-echo-technology-coming-to-ford-control-your-house-2016-1">Ford is partnering with Amazon to let you control your house from your car</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="o2aGw0MDE68-j6BCCUcKrLmVASGHPM8R" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

Why Ford's CEO invested $182 million in the $2.8 billion startup that teaches how to be more like Google

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Apple announced a feature to share AirTag tracking info with third parties, like airlines.</li><li>Apple partnered with over 15 airlines, including Delta and United, and plans to add more over time.</li></ul>Apple's newest AirTag feature is expected to make finding lost luggage a little easier for frequent fliers.The iPhone giant <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=f214e1769d65755a13231d9b46fde97df22d4a53e2d5259cb5498633c78d71f7&amp;postID=673239921153528a7c57a5f0&amp;postSlug=apple-partners-airlines-delta-united-airtag-location-lost-luggage-bags-2024-11&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fnewsroom%2F2024%2F11%2Fapples-find-my-enables-sharing-location-of-lost-items-with-third-parties%2F">announced</a> the introduction of a software feature that allows users to temporarily share the location of an AirTag or Find My network with trusted third parties, including airlines like Delta and United.When it launches, users can use the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to generate a "Share Item Location" link that will allow any recipient to view the missing item's location on an interactive map. The website will automatically update with the item's latest known location and show a timestamp of the most recent update.<div type="image" title="Apple's Find My feature, called Share Item Location" height="2480" width="3508" msid="115211837" hostid="261" sizebytes="176710"></div>The feature will be released with iOS 18.2, which is expected to roll out in December, along with the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-apple-intelligence-features-to-roll-out-in-december-2024-11">next wave of Apple Intelligence features</a>, including ChatGPT integration. However, Share Item Location is now available in the public beta for iOS 18.2. You'll need an iPhone X or later to access the feature.Apple said it's partnered with over 15 airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United, British Airways, and Air Canada to "put systems in place to privately and securely accept" the tracking links for lost luggage. Viewing access to these links will be limited to a "small number of people," who will need to use their Apple Account or partner email address for authentication, the company said.Additionally, air transport tech company SITA will also integrate Share Item Location into its baggage-tracking system. Apple plans to incorporate the feature with even more airlines over time.David Kinzelman, United's chief customer officer, said that Find My item locations will initially be accepted in select airports and will eventually be introduced systemwide by early 2025.Access to each tracking link will be limited to a small number of people, and recipients will be required to authenticate in order to view it through either their Apple Account or partner email address.As the travel industry roared back after the pandemic, so did <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/travel-chaos-lost-luggage-claims-jump-compared-pandemic-insurer-2022-7">claims of missing, delayed, or damaged bags</a>. According to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.sita.aero/globalassets/docs/surveys--reports/sita-baggage-it-insights-2024.pdf">data from SITA</a>, there were 6.9 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers in 2023. Of the 36.1 million total mishandled bags, 5% were reported as lost or stolen, while the remaining were delayed or damaged.With horror stories of airlines losing precious items like a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-canada-airline-lost-luggage-travel-chaos-parent-ashes-2022-7">loved one's ashes</a>, some have been able to avoid devastating losses with the help of their AirTags. One woman was able to track down her missing luggage, which contained $2,000 worth of lacrosse gear, by flying across the US to its AirTag location.Another woman's luggage, which was worth roughly $10,000 and contained <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/travel-chaos-woman-loses-10000-of-baggage-including-wedding-dress-2022-7">her wedding dress</a>, went missing during the 2022 summer travel frenzy — though her maid of honor was able to retrieve her own missing bag using her AirTag.

Apple is making it easier to find your lost luggage by letting you share AirTag tracking info with airlines

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Apple is set to report fiscal fourth-quarter earnings results after the market close on Thursday.</li><li>Wall Street anticipates $94.36 billion in revenue and adjusted earnings per share of $1.60.</li></ul>All eyes are on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/AAPL-stock">Apple</a>, the world's largest company by market value, as it prepares to report its fiscal fourth-quarter results after the market closes on Thursday.The quarter, which ended September 30, will encapsulate two weeks of Apple's iPhone 16 sales.The stock was trading at $230.40 at 1:50 p.m. ET, down by about 1.4%.Here's what Wall Street expects Apple to report for its fiscal fourth-quarter, according to Bloomberg data:<ul><li>Revenue: $94.36 billion</li><li>Adjusted earnings per share: $1.60</li></ul>Wall Street will largely be looking to the company's guidance for the upcoming holiday months, which has historically represented Apple's strongest quarter.Top of mind for analysts who cover the stock is whether Apple's AI efforts will pay off and fuel demand for the iPhone 16, or if consumers are taking a wait-and-see approach.The company <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-intelligence-features-tested-on-iphone-16-pro-max-2024-10">released its first round of "Apple Intelligence" features</a> this week, about six weeks after the release of the iPhone 16. Meanwhile, Apple's core AI features aren't expected to be released for the iPhone until early next year.Here's what Wall Street is looking for in Apple's upcoming earnings report.<h3 id="ed1099ce-654e-4938-929c-540867493d06">Bank of America: 'Look past the iPhone 16 noise'</h3>With some <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/apple-stock-price-tumbles-analyst-says-iphone-16-orders-slashed-2024-10">conflicting views on Wall Street</a> about iPhone 16 demand in recent weeks, Bank of America said investors should "look past the iPhone 16 noise to impact of Apple Intelligence.""Contrary to every cycle where all the hardware/software functionality is more or less static through the course of the cycle, we view the cycle as more dynamic with more material software updates that increases the value to the user," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/bac-stock">Bank of America</a> analyst Wasmi Mohan said in a note last week.Mohan said iPhone demand to pick up over the next few months as Apple's AI features become more robust and expects the company to sell 80 million iPhone units during the holiday season.Mohan is encouraged by a slightly higher average selling price for iPhones as consumers overwhelmingly continue to gravitate towards the more expensive Pro models.Bank of America rates Apple at "Buy" with a $256 price target.<h3 id="401e4f18-6633-40cf-afc8-ee3bb450bbd5">JPMorgan: Expect a beat on results but a miss on guidance</h3>JPMorgan expects Apple to report a strong fourth-quarter earnings report that will likely beat revenue and profit estimates but that it will also disappoint with weaker-than-expected guidance for the holiday quarter."Sell-through for iPhone 16 series started off slower than iPhone 15, and while momentum has improved in recent weeks, the magnitude of the improvement is still putting volumes modestly below last year," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/jpm-stock">JPMorgan</a> analyst Samik Chatterjee said in a Monday note.Like many analysts on Wall Street, Chatterjee is looking for evidence that AI features will drive a bump in iPhone sales.JPMorgan rates Apple at "Overweight" with a $265 price target.<h3 id="8cc56af8-9576-4342-a49a-9c505626a6a6">Wedbush: Apple will be a $4 trillion company next year</h3>Wedbush analyst Dan Ives isn't budging from him bullish view on Apple heading into the company's financial results. He argues that the iPhone is on the verge of a supercycle as consumers upgrade their phones to get access to Apple Intelligence features."We expect a strong iPhone performance for the September quarter and expect a relatively bullish December iPhone demand commentary from Cook &amp; Co. despite many of the bears recently yelling fire in a crowded theater on the strength of iPhone 16 sales," Ives said in a note on Sunday.Ives says that bearish views on Apple fail to appreciate its installed base of 1.5 billion iPhones that will eventually need to be replaced, as well as the growing Services business that helps monetize the massive user base, and the potential for Apple to be the gatekeeper of AI technologies to a large group of people.Wedbush rates Apple at "Outperform" with a $300 price target.<h3 id="e4503694-e0ad-46c2-9f27-9244aa504759">Goldman Sachs: 'We see upside to consensus'</h3>Goldman Sachs said it sees "upside to consensus revenue and EPS driven by outperformance in iPhone and Services" in a note last week.Goldman analyst Michael Ng expects the company to report $1.61 in earnings per share and $94.5 billion in revenue, which would represent year-over-year growth of 6%.Like other analysts, Ng is focused on the impact of AI and all of the software features Apple is set to release in the next few months."Although Apple Intelligence has yet to be a demand driver, we're encouraged by the rollout of Apple Intelligence features with iOS 18.1 (Week of October 28, includes Writing Tools, notification summaries, Clean Up in Photos), iOS 18.2 (currently in beta for est. December release, includes Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT), and iOS 18.4 (est. March 2025 release, more advanced Siri, personalization, on-screen awareness)," Ng said.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/gs-stock">Goldman Sachs</a> rates Apple at "Buy" with a $275 price target.

Wall Street is eager to see some sign that AI is driving iPhone demand in Apple's latest earnings report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Apple is set to report fiscal fourth-quarter earnings results after the market close on Wednesday.</li><li>Wall Street anticipates $94.36 billion in revenue and adjusted earnings per share of $1.60.</li></ul>All eyes are on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/AAPL-stock">Apple</a>, the world's largest company by market value, as it prepares to report its fiscal fourth-quarter results after the market closes on Wednesday.The quarter, which ended September 30, will encapsulate two weeks of Apple's iPhone 16 lineup sales.The stock was trading at $230.40 at 1:50 p.m. ET, down by about 1.4%. Here's what Wall Street expects Apple to report for its fiscal fourth-quarter, according to Bloomberg data:<ul><li>Revenue: $94.36 billion</li><li>Adjusted earnings per share: $1.60</li></ul>Wall Street will largely be looking to the company's guidance for the upcoming holiday months, which has historically represented Apple's strongest quarter.Top of mind for analysts who cover the stock is whether Apple's AI efforts will pay off and fuel demand for the iPhone 16, or if consumers are taking a wait-and-see approach.The company <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-intelligence-features-tested-on-iphone-16-pro-max-2024-10">released its first round of "Apple Intelligence" features</a> this week, about six weeks after the release of the iPhone 16. Meanwhile, Apple's core AI features aren't expected to be released for the iPhone until early next year.Here's what Wall Street is looking for in Apple's upcoming earnings report.<h3 id="ed1099ce-654e-4938-929c-540867493d06">Bank of America: 'Look past the iPhone 16 noise'</h3>With some <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/apple-stock-price-tumbles-analyst-says-iphone-16-orders-slashed-2024-10">conflicting views on Wall Street</a> about iPhone 16 demand in recent weeks, Bank of America said investors should "look past the iPhone 16 noise to impact of Apple Intelligence.""Contrary to every cycle where all the hardware/software functionality is more or less static through the course of the cycle, we view the cycle as more dynamic with more material software updates that increases the value to the user," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/bac-stock">Bank of America</a> analyst Wasmi Mohan said in a note last week.Mohan said iPhone demand to pick up over the next few months as Apple's AI features become more robust and expects the company to sell 80 million iPhone units during the holiday season.Mohan is encouraged by a slightly higher average selling price for iPhones as consumers overwhelmingly continue to gravitate towards the more expensive Pro models.Bank of America rates Apple at "Buy" with a $256 price target.<h3 id="401e4f18-6633-40cf-afc8-ee3bb450bbd5">JPMorgan: Expect a beat on results but a miss on guidance</h3>JPMorgan expects Apple to report a strong fourth-quarter earnings report that will likely beat revenue and profit estimates but that it will also disappoint with weaker-than-expected guidance for the holiday quarter."Sell-through for iPhone 16 series started off slower than iPhone 15, and while momentum has improved in recent weeks, the magnitude of the improvement is still putting volumes modestly below last year," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/jpm-stock">JPMorgan</a> analyst Samik Chatterjee said in a Monday note.Like many analysts on Wall Street, Chatterjee is looking for evidence that AI features will drive a bump in iPhone sales.JPMorgan rates Apple at "Overweight" with a $265 price target.<h3 id="8cc56af8-9576-4342-a49a-9c505626a6a6">Wedbush: Apple will be a $4 trillion company next year</h3>Wedbush analyst Dan Ives isn't budging from him bullish view on Apple heading into the company's financial results. He argues that the iPhone is on the verge of a supercycle as consumers upgrade their phones to get access to Apple Intelligence features."We expect a strong iPhone performance for the September quarter and expect a relatively bullish December iPhone demand commentary from Cook &amp; Co. despite many of the bears recently yelling fire in a crowded theater on the strength of iPhone 16 sales," Ives said in a note on Sunday.Ives says that bearish views on Apple fail to appreciate its installed base of 1.5 billion iPhones that will eventually need to be replaced, as well as the growing Services business that helps monetize the massive user base, and the potential for Apple to be the gatekeeper of AI technologies to a large group of people.Wedbush rates Apple at "Outperform" with a $300 price target.<h3 id="e4503694-e0ad-46c2-9f27-9244aa504759">Goldman Sachs: 'We see upside to consensus'</h3>Goldman Sachs said it sees "upside to consensus revenue and EPS driven by outperformance in iPhone and Services" in a note last week.Goldman analyst Michael Ng expects the company to report $1.61 in earnings per share and $94.5 billion in revenue, which would represent year-over-year growth of 6%.Like other analysts, Ng is focused on the impact of AI and all of the software features Apple is set to release in the next few months."Although Apple Intelligence has yet to be a demand driver, we're encouraged by the rollout of Apple Intelligence features with iOS 18.1 (Week of October 28, includes Writing Tools, notification summaries, Clean Up in Photos), iOS 18.2 (currently in beta for est. December release, includes Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT), and iOS 18.4 (est. March 2025 release, more advanced Siri, personalization, on-screen awareness)," Ng said.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/gs-stock">Goldman Sachs</a> rates Apple at "Buy" with a $275 price target.

<ul><li><keyword id="215177" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="vivo" source="Orion">Vivo</keyword> has introduced V27 Pro as its latest mid-range offering in India.</li><li>The device features, MediaTek Dimensity 8200 and 66W fast charging.</li><li>The smartphone will go on sale by 6 March on Flipkart and offline and online Vivo stores.</li></ul>Vivo has launched the new V27 Pro in India, which is the latest in company’s popular mid range V-series smartphones smartphone. The device boasts a stunning design and a unique color-changing back, in addition to delivering impressive camera performance, as expected from Vivo’s V-series. However, the question remains: will these features be enough to justify the phone's price tag? To address this concern, Vivo has aimed to offer a well-balanced combination of hardware and software in all aspects. Furthermore, the <keyword id="16414258" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vivo-V27-Pro" source="Orion">Vivo V27 Pro</keyword> offers numerous improvements over its predecessor, which we will explore in-depth in this review. So, without further delay, let's dive in. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Price and availability" comment="subhead" text="Price and availability">Price and availability</cmsannotation> The Vivo V27 Pro comes in two variants - first has 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, with a price tag of ₹37,999. The second version has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, available at ₹39,999. Meanwhile, the top-end variant, 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is available for ₹42,999. The pre-booking of the device starts today, 1 March 2023 and it will be available for purchase from 6 March 2023. The Vivo V27 Pro is available for purchase on Flipkart, Vivo's direct-to-consumer website, as well as in offline stores. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Spec sheet" comment="subhead" text="Spec sheet">Spec sheet </cmsannotation> <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Vivo V27 Pro: Specification </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Display: 6.78-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">RAM &amp; ROM: 8GB+128GB | 12GB+256GB </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Battery: 4600mAh | 66W Fast charging </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Colour: Noble Black, Magic Blue </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">OS: Android 13 &amp; Funtouch OS 13 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Camera: Front 50MP AF / Rear 50MP Sony IMX766V OIS + 8MP wide-angle + 2MP macro </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Weight: 182g </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Size: 164.1*74.8*7.36 mm </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Design" comment="subhead" text="Design">Design</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98339410" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dimensions of Vivo V27 Pro&amp;lt;span class=&amp;quot;redactor-invisible-space&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Weighing in at just 182g, the Vivo V27 Pro is a relatively lightweight phone, which may be attractive to those seeking an alternative to the many larger smartphones in its price range. Its dimensions of 164.1*74.8*7.36 mm also make it a relatively slim device compared to its competitors. The phone has a USB-C port, volume rocker, and power button on its right edge, but it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, which may disappoint fans of wired headphones. All the buttons are easily accessible, and we found it comfortable to operate the phone with one hand. The phone's glass coating covers the display and rear, while the rear is protected by ‘Fluorite AG' glass. This gives the device a sleek look and premium feel, although it may not be as durable as an aluminium frame phone against drops and impacts. The back of the phone features an elegant looking rectangular camera module housing the three cameras. The protrution is lesser than we typically see on camera phones, with minimal wobbling when kept on its back. The Vivo V27 Pro is available in two colors: Noble Black, a light pearlescent shade, and Magic Blue – the color shown in this review – which appears to be a navy-blue hue. Regardless of the color chosen, this phone boasts an attractive design. <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98339432" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rear look of Vivo V27 Pro&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98339462" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Color changing back panel of V27 Pro&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> I'd like to highlight the AG glass on the back of the phone, which Vivo is heavily promoting for its color-changing properties. The idea is straightforward - the glass reflects different colors depending on the lighting conditions. However, I had only noticed the color change once under direct sunlight when it turned into a thick dark blue shade that didn't particularly appeal to me. The textured AG glass on the back makes it easy to grip though. Although it is not my usual recommendation, using the V27 Pro without a cover can be enjoyable. Although the smartphone has an impressive design and aesthetic appeal, it lacks certain certifications typically expected in modern devices. For instance, it lacks an official IP rating, making it vulnerable to water damage. Another issue that concerns me is the absence of protection on the back, as the glass may not withstand a severe impact. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Display" comment="subhead" text="Display">Display</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98341469" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Display of Vivo V27 Pro &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> This is one of the prettiest displays I have seen on a mid-ranger lately. The panel measures 6.78 inches and features a gentle 3D `curve at the edges, with a small cut-out for the front-facing camera located at the top. The bezels surrounding the screen are also thin which looks good. In terms of technical specifications, the AMOLED display offers a resolution of 2400×1080 (FHD+). At first, I noticed that the colours on the curved panel appeared somewhat dull with the default settings. However, after tweaking the display settings, I discovered the ideal balance to suit my personal preference. From that point on, the curved panel delivered sharp, accurate, and vivid colours. The display is capable of a peak refresh rate of 120Hz and includes an adaptive refresh rate feature called Smart Switch. This feature automatically adjusts the screen refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz based on the content being viewed. However, the implementation of this feature is not always consistent. I would recommend sticking with the 120Hz setting for the best experience. While it may consume more battery power, it's worth for the overall smoothness and reliability, especially when gaming. I've extensively tested the V27 Pro while gaming and the display have been dependable so far. The display is also compatible with HDR10+ content on Netflix. I watched a few movies and TV series and was thoroughly impressed. The display produced excellent clarity, and I could distinguish crisp details. The brightness levels were also aptly adjusted outdoors, and the display remained readable unless the sun was directly overhead. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Stereo speakers missing" comment="subhead" text="Stereo speakers missing">Stereo speakers missing</cmsannotation> It would have been great if Vivo had included speakers that matched the quality of the display. However, the V27 Pro only has a loud, bottom-firing speaker, which doesn't do justice to the display's capabilities. Like most bottom-firing speakers, your hand can easily block it. Looks like Vivo has cut some corners to keep the price low by not providing a dual speaker setup on the device. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Vivo V27 Pro: Software" comment="subhead" text="Vivo V27 Pro: Software">Vivo V27 Pro: Software</cmsannotation> The Vivo V27 Pro comes with Android 13 and Vivo’s Funtouch OS 13 skin, and my initial experience with the UI has been positive. Despite some bloatware that can be uninstalled, the software feels clean and smooth to navigate, especially with the high display refresh rate. One standout feature of Funtouch is horizontal-screen functionality, allowing you to scroll through menus for certain productivity and business functions. Additionally, the customizable dynamic effects, such as changing animations or ambient light effects, are cool additions. The device's OS offers impressive levels of customization, with options to change themes, app icon sizes, text sizes, and animations. The widgets available are well-executed with Android 13. The game space is another useful addition with features such as a voice changer, screenshot shortcut, and performance modes to enhance the gaming experience. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Vivo V27 Pro: Performance &amp; specs" comment="subhead" text="Vivo V27 Pro: Performance &amp; specs">Vivo V27 Pro: Performance &amp; specs</cmsannotation> The Vivo V27 Pro comes equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset, the same SoC we have seen on the iQOO Neo 7. The chipset is paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of internal storage. In terms of performance, the V27 Pro has enough power to handle demanding tasks such as gaming and multitasking. During my gaming session, which involved playing COD: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends with maximum graphics settings, the device performed well. I did not experience any lag or frame drops that could ruin the gaming experience. The device was very responsive and connected to the servers instantly. The heat management was promising even after prolonged gaming sessions. <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98341603" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;COD on Vivo V27 Pro&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The RAM management on the device is decent, and the 12GB RAM can hold lightweight apps like web browsers and social media apps such as Instagram or Facebook for a long time. The device can hold heavier apps like COD: Mobile halfway. However, with the onboard RAM expansion of 8GB, which adds to the system storage, the performance with heavier apps improved considerably. If you are into gaming, I recommend keeping the RAM extension on. Upon launching a game, the device automatically triggers its Ultra Gaming mode, providing the user with various performance options. Additionally, this mode includes various features such as screen recording, a voice changer, call blocking, and more. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Camera" comment="subhead" text="Camera">Camera</cmsannotation> The Vivo V27 Pro has four cameras, three at the back and one at the front. The primary rear camera boasts a 50MP Sony IMX766V lens, and I found its performance impressive. The photos were vibrant and captured with plenty of detail. The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) integrated into the lens was highly effective at minimizing the impact of shaky hands on the image. Then there is an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and a 2MP macro sensor. <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98341486" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Shot on 50MP&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The device offers up to 10x zoom, but the results are good; up to 5x zoom as 10x will fail to capture details. Also, when switching from the primary camera to the ultra-wide-angle camera, you will undoubtedly notice a significant change in color tone. <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98341502" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Shot on V27 Pro&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The natural light portraits captured by the Vivo V27 Pro are truly stunning. The edge detection is excellent. When using HDR mode, I did observe warmer tones in the images, particularly with red hues in the frame. <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98341548" hostid="261"></div> The 2MP macro camera on the Vivo V27 Pro captures decent photos, it requires adequate lighting for optimal results. But to get the best out of the macro camera, you must keep the subject and camera extremely steady to achieve a clear and focused shot. <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98341509" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Shot on Macro mode&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98341516" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Shot on Vivo V27 Pro macro mode&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The 50MP front-facing camera on the Vivo V27 Pro leaves some room for improvement, as it tends to overexpose images and produce colors that look a bit unnatural. However, you may find it appealing if you prefer enhanced skin tones and a smoother appearance. <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98341524" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Shot on Vivo V27 Pro night mode&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> <div type="image" title="Vivo V27 Pro" msid="98341530" hostid="261"></div> Regarding video performance, the Vivo V27 Pro does not fail to impress. Its camera can record 4K videos at both 30 and 60 fps, and the hybrid image stabilization system is noticeable when there are quick changes in camera angles. There is minimal shaking, and the lens focuses quickly. The device features a dedicated vlog mode, allowing you to play with both front and back cameras simultaneously. Other features like live photos and AI enhancements are additional perks that will likely appeal to most consumers. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Battery life" comment="subhead" text="Battery life">Battery life</cmsannotation> Compared to many of its premium competitors, such as the IQOO Neo 7 and OPPO Reno8 T 5G, the Vivo V27 Pro features a relatively small battery with a capacity of 4600mAh. I used it throughout the day for tasks like texting, and music streaming, it made it through until bedtime with some juice left. However, with more demanding use like playing games, taking photos, using social media, and more, I experienced battery anxiety, and the device didn’t last a day. The device comes with 66W fast charging capability that charges the device in 45 minutes from 0 to 100% with an active internet connection. Similar to other phones, the Vivo V27 Pro features a battery-saving mode that conserves power by disabling background syncing, restricting data usage, and enabling dark mode, among other things. This feature guarantees that the phone can last for an entire day. However, if you are a heavy phone user, this phone may not fit you best. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Verdict" comment="subhead" text="Verdict">Verdict</cmsannotation> Having used the Vivo V27 Pro, it's evident that the phone can be a suitable choice for those seeking a device priced below ₹40,000, particularly camera enthusiasts, gamers, or users who like a slim and light phone. While it's a good option for its price, if you prioritize the best camera or user interface experience, you might want to explore other options like the iQOO Neo 7 or OPPO Reno8 T. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Buy it if" comment="subhead" text="Buy it if">Buy it if</cmsannotation> The Vivo V27 Pro remains a compelling option as it is available at a reasonable discount. Not all smartphones in this price range are currently available at a hefty discount. Additionally, compared to many other Android user interfaces, Vivo's Funtouch is minimalistic and doesn't come with unnecessary pre-installed software and some extra features that we found useful. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Don't buy it if" comment="subhead" text="Don't buy it if">Don't buy it if</cmsannotation> You can find smartphones with similar specs at a lower price if you do some research. But you might have to compromise on some things like the design or camera. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/explained-apples-clean-energy-charging-for-iphone-that-sets-a-new-standard-for-sustainability/articleshow/98331359.cms">Explained: Apple's Clean Energy Charging for iPhone that sets a new standard for sustainability</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/windows-11-update-introduces-ai-powered-bing-to-the-taskbar-and-phone-link-for-ios/articleshow/98331220.cms">Windows 11 update introduces AI-Powered Bing to the taskbar and Phone Link for iOS</a>

Vivo V27 Pro Review: Capable camera performance in a sleek form factor

It is raining smartwatches and smartphones all over. But <keyword id="233026" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sony-India">Sony India</keyword> has gone ahead and brought something even better for Indian customers. A day after <keyword id="10591" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Samsung">Samsung</keyword>’s launch of Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear <keyword id="1009777" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="SmartWatch">smartwatch</keyword>, <keyword id="6358540" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sony">Sony</keyword> has come up with a waterproof smartphone, a new smartwatch and the QX series of lenses for phones. The new smartphone called Z1 boasts a 20.7 mega pixel rear camera, a Snapdragon 800 2.2 GHz Quad-core processor and 16 GB storage. Sony has been in the limelight since the company introduced the Z series of waterproof smartphones. With the new launch, it is looking to pick up 20% market share in the smartphone segment in India and seems to be positive about its target. With a price tag of Rs 44,990, Sony is also providing a phone cover and a 5,000 mAh power bank in the box. Certainly a deal that many would want to take. 
 Along with the smartphone, the company has also showcased Sony Smartwatch 2, which is now much better than its previous avatar. What we find exceptional about this gadget is the fact that it can work with any <keyword id="6355645" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="android">Android</keyword> phone with an app download – something that its adversary is not offering. It seems Sony has learnt from its past mistake. The watch does look good and also features coloured straps. One can also add compatible apps such as <keyword id="6354616" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword> and <keyword id="6354576" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Facebook">Facebook</keyword> to the watch. However, the call facility is still missing as this one does not have an in-built microphone or speaker. The watch will be retailing at Rs 14,990 from October. 
 
But the showstopper of the gala is the smartlens. Sony has got its QX series of smartlenses to India, which can be attached to most Android or iOS phones using NFC. We could immediately see jaws drop across the hall as the audience saw this smart device. It is available in two variants – the QX10 with an 18.2 MP sensor and 10X optical zoom, and the QX100 that has a 20.2 MP sensor and 3.6X optical zoom. We did give them a go to find out how the edgy lenses work, and we could immediately understand why people reacted the way they did inside the hall. The QX10 comes with a price tag of Rs 24,990 while QX10 is available for Rs 12,990. Both are now available in stores. 
 
Sony has just empowered users with a lot of new toys for their smartphones, but whether they are going to be huge hits? We will know in a few months’ time.

Sony Ushers In New Wave Of Gadgets – Here’s What They
Offer

This week's payments roundup comes from Payments Insider, the daily briefing delivered first thing every morning exclusively to <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/?utm_source=House&amp;utm_medium=Edit&amp;utm_term=Payments-Weekly-Free&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_campaign=BIIMobile" onclick="this.href = this.href + '-' + window.location.search.substr(1).replace(/\&amp;|\=/g, '-');">BI Intelligence</a> members.

SQUARE REPORTEDLY TAKING 34% MARGIN ON PROCESSING: Citing leaked emails and internal documents, Fortune writer Miguel Helft published <a href="http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2014/05/14/squares-status-its-complicated/" target="_blank">a detailed snapshot</a> of Square's business health - the deepest look we've seen to date. The article appears to confirm prior reports of cash losses at Square. But Helft's article also reveals robust revenue and margins. That suggests the losses aren't driven by operating expenses, but are the result of its investments in a flurry of new products. Here are the key figures, which a Square spokesperson declined to speak with us on the record about:
<ul>
<li>Square's gross margin on transactions, or the margin left over after Square pays other parties involved in credit card transactions their share of fees, is 34%. In other words, in a a $100 transaction, Square would collect $2.75 in revenue, but pay out $1.82 in fees and keep 94 cents for itself. </li>
<li>The company is processing about $30 billion in transactions annually.</li>
<li>That would put its annualized gross profit at about $300 million.</li>
<li>Excluding transactions at Starbucks, which cut a deal to make Square the register system in 7,000 locations, Square's overall 2013 loss was about $100 million. </li>
<li>The Starbucks deal cost Square an additional $25 million in losses last year.</li>
<li>Square had about $155 million left on its balance sheet at the end of 2013</li>
</ul>
Fortune also reports that Square's recently secured revolving credit line totals $225 million, and cites internal projections that put the company on track for profitability in about a year. Square provides hardware and software that helps small businesses accept credit and debit cards on smartphones and tablets.
SQUARE SHIFTS FOCUS AWAY FROM PAYMENTS: In a surprise move, Square pulled its Square Wallet app from Apple and Google's app stores. Wallet was Square's consumer-facing mobile payments service. It allowed users to make payments at Square merchants simply by checking in through the app, walking up to the register and saying their name (merchants were able to see a photo of the user and their account information on their displays). In place of Wallet, which Square says it will continue to support for existing users, comes Square Order, an app built around ordering ahead from restaurants and cafes. "This new offering is a customer experience that goes above and beyond payments and processing payments," Square spokesperson Semonti Stephens tells us.
That's a dramatic shift in Square's consumer-facing strategy. Square will take an 8% cut of transactions made through the new app, compared to its usual 2.75% rate for merchant payment processing (Square's main products remain its attachable card readers and software that turn merchant smartphones and tablets into registers). The steep fee for Square Order transactions reflects the new app's aim to become a customer referral engine: it will steer new customers to small businesses with in-app advertising, rewards programs, and discounts. "It's turning customers into regulars for businesses," says Square's Semonti. Competitor ordering app Grubhub Seamless <a href="http://venturebeat.com/2014/05/12/square-kills-wallet-launches-order-another-way-to-order-food/" target="_blank">charges 10 to 14%</a> , but PayPal, which has offered advance ordering for over a year, does not charge merchants higher fees.
PAYPAL NOW ACCEPTED FOR GOOGLE PLAY PAYMENTS: In a surprise announcement, Google Play, the Android app store, <a href="http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2014/05/helping-you-go-global-with-more.html" target="_blank">said</a> it would begin accepting payment for app purchases via PayPal, a competitor to the company's own Google Wallet. The new payment option will appear alongside carrier billing, which Google says remains a popular payment method in many countries. Several PayPal insiders have told us that the company collaborated with Google Wallet on the development of host-card emulation (HCE), a protocol that allows wallet apps to bypass carrier-controlled hardware to power near-field communication transactions. The Paypal-Google collaboration is an example of tech rivals teaming up to curtail the influence of carriers over mobile payments.
iBEACON AND PAYPAL BEACON IN USE BY MERCHANTS: The PayPal Beacon was featured in a <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/video/this-paypal-device-lets-you-pay-without-your-wallet-9mP5anCQQaaUHl_n35_GwQ.html" target="_blank">90-second video from Bloomberg</a>. The beacon is being tested in the U.S. and Australia with a handful of merchants, including Chantal Guillon, a Palo Alto, California macaroon shop. PayPal Chief Product Officer Hill Ferguson told Bloomberg that the beacon allows for automatic payment authorization - merchants can validate customers' identity by photos that populate the point-of-sale.
And iBeacon? BI Intelligence has obtained a list of the New York locations where <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/payments-insider-walgreens-pilots-ibeacon--fincen-on-bitcoin--wells-fargo-goes-emv-2014-5" target="_blank">Walgreens is piloting Apple's iBeacon</a> technology. The nation's largest drug retailer is testing Apple-powered beacons in ten New York locations of subsidiary pharmacy chain Duane Reade. (Click <a href="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5375465fecad04ff64dc9061-370-340/screen%20shot%202014-05-15%20at%206.56.44%20pm.png" target="_blank">here</a> for our list of the exact addresses.) If you visit a store and try it out, let us know what the experience is like.
In Australia, St. George Bank is also testing out iBeacon in <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/st-george-bank-to-decommission-online-banking-for-mobile-7000029421/" target="_blank">three Sydney locations</a>.
ISIS MOBILE WALLET CLAIMS 600,000 MONTHLY ACTIVATIONS: Isis, the mobile wallet backed by a consortium of U.S. carriers, has averaged 20,000 activations daily over the past 30 days, according to a <a href="http://news.paywithisis.com/2014/05/14/isis_momentum_update_5_2014/" target="_blank">blog post</a> by Isis CEO Michael Abbott. Isis comes preloaded on 14 smartphones from the three carriers backing it - AT&amp;T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. ( It was unclear how many of the recent activations were of preloaded wallets.) The carriers launched Isis in November 2013, in a bid to leverage their clout as smartphone distributors to win the mobile wallet race. The app relies on near-field communications or NFC, a technology that allows consumers to tap or wave their phones at compatible terminals to make a payment. The consortium was dealt a blow in recent months though with the spread of host-card emulation or HCE, a protocol that allows other wallet apps to bypass carrier-controlled hardware and power their own NFC transactions.
LOOP EXPANDS TO ANDROID: LoopPay, the mobile wallet that transmits payment data to magnetic stripe payment card readers, will today announce an Android version of its payment app, which launched on iOS in February. "This is just another step, and we're taking many steps toward getting more Loop-ready solutions out there," LoopPay CEO Will Graylin tells us. Currently available as a $39 key fob that pairs with the app, Loop uses a magnetic coil to transmit payment card data. Users simply hold up the fob to a merchant's card reader in order to pay. Soon, a LoopPay iPhone 5/5s charge case will be available, and the company is hoping to convince manufacturers to build Loop's transmitter into handsets. Still in its early stages, the company numbers its users in the thousands - but Graylin stresses LoopPay's advantage in that virtually all merchants are already equipped to accept LoopPay-powered transactions.
RICHARD BRANSON BETS ON BITCOIN WITH BITPAY FUNDING ROUND: In the largest funding round <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140513005548/en/Bitcoin-Payments-Pioneer-BitPay-Raises-Record-30M#.U3J27sfPeUY">announced </a>to date for a Bitcoin startup, BitPay received $30 million in financing. The round was led by Index Ventures, but included Richard Branson, the chairman of Virgin Group, according to the announcement. Atlanta-based BitPay is a processing service for Bitcoin, allowing merchants to accept the digital currency. Among the company's clients is Branson's commercial space travel company, Virgin Galactic.
MESSENGER APP KIK DEBUTS VIRTUAL CURRENCY: Kik Messenger, the mobile instant messaging app with 140 million registered users, has quietly debuted a virtual currency system called "Kik Points," <a href="http://thenextweb.com/apps/2014/05/09/kik-introduces-virtual-currency-encourage-engagement-potentially-make-money/" target="_blank">Next Web reports</a> . Kik Points is now in a <a href="http://testdrive.kik.com/?app=points" target="_blank">developer test-drive mode</a> , but it awards points to users for completing certain tasks. Currently, the points are only redeemable for a set of virtual stickers called Hipster Animals.
SETTLEMENT IN U.S. PAYMENT-PROCESSOR DRAGNET: Late last month, a U.S. judge in North Carolina approved a $1.2 million settlement that could serve as a template for other banks and payment processors targeted in Operation Chokepoint. <a href="http://blogs.justice.gov/main/archives/3651">The U.S. Department Of Justice claims</a> that Four Oaks bank reaped $850,000 in fees by allowing an unnamed third-party payment processor in Texas to originate $2.4 billion in debit transactions, ignoring signs that the transactions were fraudulent - allegations that Four Oaks has disputed, and did not admit to as part of the settlement. The federal dragnet, first disclosed in March of 2013, has targeted over 50 banks and payment processors with subpoenas in similar cases, <a href="http://www.americanbanker.com/gallery/timeline-operation-choke-point-1066360-1.html">American Banker</a> reports. Electronic Transaction Association CEO <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/204174-operation-choke-point-harmful-to-flow-of-commerce">Jason Oxman has written</a> that Chokepoint, which was initially targeted at <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/payments-insider-payments-funding-high--amex-earnings--a-bitcoin-documentary-2014-4">limiting payday lenders' access</a> to the financial system, is "burdensome and costly" for law-abiding businesses. 
 
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<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/skeptics-question-the-looming-11b-upgrade-to-payment-card-security-2014-5">Skeptics Question The Looming $11B Upgrade To Payment Card Security</a>
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-real-reason-square-pulled-its-wallet-app-2014-5">The Real Reason Square Pulled Its Wallet App</a>
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/square-isnt-the-only-payment-processor-shifting-its-business-model-2014-5">Square Isn't The Only Payment Processor Shifting Its Business Model</a>
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