O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: resistance

  • Apple announces second-generation AirTags, cites longer range, louder speaker, other features

    Apple announces second-generation AirTags, cites longer range, louder speaker, other features

    If you’ve been hankering for the second generation of Apple’s AirTag devices, they’re on their way.

    Apple on Tuesday announced its next-generation AirTag, complete with key features such as longer range for tracking items as well as a louder speaker. Like the first generation, the new units can attach to a backpack, keys, or other items, and be tracked with the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com.

    The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50 percent farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model, according to Apple. The new AirTag also has an upgraded Bluetooth chip for improved overall range outside of Precision Finding mode. The updated speaker is also 50 percent louder than the first-generation model, according to Apple.

    The external design of the new AirTag remains the same, although its weight has increased slightly. The unit continues to be powered by a CR2032 coin cell battery, and the new AirTag has the same IP67-rated water resistance as the original one. Buyers can also find free personalized engraving for the device through Apple.com and in the Apple Store app.

    The new AirTag requires an iPhone running an incoming iOS 26.2.1 update or later, per Apple. watchOS 26.2.1 is also coming, and it expands Precision Finding to the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later. It’s unknown if this is for the new AirTag only or also works with the original model.

    The new AirTag is available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app as of Monday, and it will be available at Apple Store locations later this week. In the U.S., pricing remains set at $29 for an individual AirTag, while a four-pack retails for $99.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Apple

  • Apple adds second-generation AirPods Pro earbuds to its refurbished online store

    Apple adds second-generation AirPods Pro earbuds to its refurbished online store

    If you’re looking to save some money on Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro wireless earbuds, you’re going to like this.

    Apple on Saturday placed the refurbished second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case on its online store in the U.S. for $209, compared to $249 brand new.

    The company updated the AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case in 2023, as well as introduced the IP54-rated dust resistance for both the earbuds and the case, and lossless audio with Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

    Apple has consistently stated that all of its refurbished products undergo “full functionality testing” and are “put through a thorough cleaning process and inspection,” and from a large degree of user feedback, tend to be highly reliable.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Apple

  • Apple Watch Ultra sapphire crystal face tested, compared to other smartwatch covers

    Apple Watch Ultra sapphire crystal face tested, compared to other smartwatch covers

    The Sapphire crystal face of the Apple Watch Ultra just got put through its paces by the cool cats at the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel, which compared it with other smartwatches that also use a sapphire cover.

    Sapphire, which is one of the hardest minerals in existence, is extremely difficult to scratch, making it a popular choice for premium watches.

    The YouTuber, who’s known for doing durability tests with electronic devices, has posted a new video in which he measures the hardness of the sapphire cover of the Apple Watch Ultra as well as Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 and Garmin Fenix 7. The main purpose of the test was to find out if these three watches in fact have sapphire crystal as promoted by the companies.

    Per Zack, who runs the YouTube channel, sapphire is a material with a hardness level close to that of diamond. Using the Mohs scale, which measures the hardness of minerals from 1 to 10, he shows how scratch resistant the screens of devices such as phones and smartwatches are. While glass scratches at level 6, sapphire scratches at level 8 or even 9 depending on how pure it is.

    Apple claims to have used sapphire as a material in its devices since the iPhone 5, which was the first unit to have a sapphire cover on its camera lens. However, Apple actually uses a sapphire composite material, which is not as hard as pure sapphire.

    JerryRigEverything offered the following tests to compare the Apple Watch Ultra’s face to that of its competitors:

    In the tests, the sapphire crystal on the Apple Watch Ultra had minor abrasions at levels 6 and 7, while the real damage starts at level 8. The results were similar with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5, which began to show abrasions at levels 6 and 7 that were less visible than on the Apple Watch. The YouTuber explains that this is probably due to impurities in the material or polishing issues. As for the Garmin Fenix 7, tests show that it has the purest sapphire crystal of the three watches, as it barely had abrasions at levels 6 and 7.

    In conclusion, the YouTuber concluded that neither Apple, Samsung, nor Garmin are lying when they say that their watches have sapphire crystal – although the screen of the Apple Watch Ultra seems to be a bit more susceptible to scratches than the screen of other watches.

    The Apple Watch Ultra retails for $799.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and JerryRigEverything

  • iFixit posts Apple Watch Ultra teardown video, notes larger battery, some difficulty opening the unit

    iFixit posts Apple Watch Ultra teardown video, notes larger battery, some difficulty opening the unit

    Once again, the cool cats at iFixit have come through with another teardown of a new Apple product, this time digging into the new Apple Watch Ultra to take a look at its components.

    While the Apple Watch Ultra has four exposed pentalobe screws on the back case for quick access to the inside of the watch, iFixit stated that the device remains challenging to repair. After removing the back case, iFixit said a gasket contributing to the Apple Watch Ultra’s water resistance was immediately broken. In addition, accessing parts like the battery and Taptic Engine requires the difficult task of removing the display.

    The teardown confirmed that Apple has outfitted the Apple Watch Ultra with a 542 mAh battery, which is 76 percent larger than the Apple Watch Series 8’s 308 mAh battery also shown. The analysis also offers a closer look at the Ultra’s significantly larger speaker, which reviews have stated results in louder phone calls.

    The Apple Watch Ultra became available on Friday and is priced at $799. The smartwatch offers a rugged design with a 49mm titanium case, a flat display, outdoors-themed bands, water resistance up to a depth of 100 meters, a customizable bright orange “Action” button, up to 60 hours of battery life with an upcoming low power setting, and other features.

    It is also said to be tougher and more scratch resistant than other Apple Watch models, and is designed for more strenuous athletic and outdoor activity.

    If you’ve gotten your mitts on the new Apple Watch Ultra, please let us know what you make of it in the comments.

    Via MacRumors and iFixit

  • Dutch web site FixjeiPhone completes teardown of iPhone XS, finds L-shaped two-cell battery

    Sometimes the Dutch beat everyone else to the punch.

    Dutch repair site FixjeiPhone today shared a teardown of the iPhone XS, providing the first look inside the 5.8-inch model.

    A side-by-side comparison shot with the iPhone X reveals that the internal layout of the iPhone XS has not changed significantly, with the most obvious difference being a new single-cell L-shaped battery with a capacity of 2,658 mAh.

    (more…)