Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), dropped -0.66% and closed at $117.50.
The Tech Giant Unveiled a New External Battery Case for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s this week.
Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), just gave you a new way to extend your phone’s battery life.
Apple surprised iPhone fans on Tuesday with the debut of the Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. The product is the first integrated battery pack from Apple since the original iPhone launch. The case is priced at $99 and is being offered in white and charcoal gray.
Available in its online stores, the iPhone 6s Smart Battery Case is designed to extend battery life for up to 25 hours on talk time. With internet use through LTE networks, it keeps the iPhone going for up to 18 hours, and with video playback, up to 20 hours.
The case provides up to 25 hours of additional talk time for the phone, 18 hours if the user is Internet browsing over LTE, and 20 hours if the user is engaged with audio and video playback. Users can plug in both the phone and the charger at the same time via the female Lightning port.
The battery itself is comprised in a small bump on the back of the case, adding some additional bulk to the phone. The additional width might prove annoying for iPhone users who value the device for its thinness. Other than that, the case is typical of other protective covers, with cutouts that give access to the headphone jack, mute switch and camera.
When turned on, the case displays an intelligent battery status on the phone’s lock screen and notification center so users know just how much charge they have left.
Apple has already done the same with iPad, offering both a smart case and smart cover for the devices.
The company has been increasing efforts to bind users to its ecosystem and further monetize its hyper-loyal user base (about 90% of iPhone buyers are repeat purchasers).
On the other hand, share of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), inclined 0.96% and closed at $106.61.
Facebook’s internal incubator is no more.
The Menlo Park-based social media platform shuttered its Creative Labs on Monday. The initiative supported employees as they designed cutting-edge mobile software. The company has pulled several of the lab’s apps, according to CNET, which confirmed the move with a Facebook spokesperson. The website for Creative Labs was removed by the company, according to bizjournals
Slingshot was an ephemeral messaging app much like Snapchat. Riff is a video app and Rooms allowed people to create a feed of photos, videos, and text in one place and then invite others to join.
“Since their launches, we’ve incorporated elements of Slingshot, Riff and Rooms into the Facebook for iOS and Android apps. We haven’t updated these apps in some time and we’ve decided to officially end support by removing them from the App Store and Google Play,” a Facebook spokesperson told SiliconBeat in a statement.
The company still plans to experiment with creating standalone apps, but is no longer using the name “Creative Labs” to describe these projects.
Facebook’s strategy has shifted since Creative Labs’ launch two years ago. Instead of developing separate apps, the company is adding features to its existing mobile platform that mimic those found on other social media apps. In an effort to compete with Twitter, Facebook rolled out “Live” last week. Similar to Meerkat or Periscope, the Facebook feature streams users’ live video feeds, displays the number of viewers and provides real-time commenting. Facebook also unveiled a new photo collage-sharing feature. The app will allow users to combine photos and videos in a grid.