Do your Joy-Cons suffer from drift? (pic: Nintendo)
For the first time Nintendo has publicly apologised for Joy-Con drift on the Switch, although it won’t say how the problem will be solved.
The Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con controllers are complex beasts, with a lot of technology squeezed into their tiny chassis, and that’s caused problems for the console since the very start.
Initially it was a problem with the Joy-Cons becoming desynchronised, but although that was fixed fairly quickly recent years have seen continual complaints about Joy-Con drift – where the analogue controller seems to cause in-game movement even when you’re not touching it.
Nintendo’s response has been typically reluctant about admitting a problem, as initially they only offered free repairs in the US. Although that never stopped customers there from initiating a class action lawsuit against them.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
That lawsuit is the reason that Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has given for not commenting on the issue further, but in a recent financial Q&A, as translated by Kotaku, he did at least apologise for the situation.
‘We apologise for any trouble caused to our customers,’ said Furukawa. ‘We are continuing to aim to improve our products, but as the Joy-Con is the subject of a class-action lawsuit in the United States and this is still a pending issue, we would it like to refrain from responding about any specific actions.’
The problem is clearly not straightforward though, as it even ended up affecting the Switch Lite, which technically doesn’t even have Joy-Cons.
What Nintendo’s solution to the problem will be remains to be seen, but it will presumably involve some sort of redesign.
Whether that’s one that’s obvious, and widely advertised, or just quietly added to newer shipments of the console is also something only Nintendo knows.
If you’re having problems with the issue then the best thing to do is visit the official Nintendo support website.
Nintendo has decided to scrap the sale of digital download codes for its games at European retailers, effective from 1st July, 2020.
For years now, Nintendo fans have had a number of different ways to purchase their favourite games. You can grab a boxed copy of your chosen game from physical retailers or online, download a new title from Nintendo's own eShop, or even buy a download code for certain games from your favourite - and often cheaper - retailers.
That latter choice will sadly no longer be available in Europe. Nintendo has confirmed the decision to end the availability of download codes for its own-published titles in a statement provided to Nintendo Life:
After careful examination of the evolving European marketplace in recent years, Nintendo has decided to end the availability of download codes for its own-published software via retailers, effective 1st July 2020.
Customers will still be able to purchase Nintendo eShop funds, Nintendo Switch Online memberships, and add-on content such as the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, at retailers across Europe. Download codes for Nintendo Switch software from other publishers will also still be available.
We’re always investigating new avenues, and will continue to work on new methods to bring Nintendo eShop content to as many players as possible.
As you can see, download codes for third-party games and other products such as DLC and Nintendo Switch Online memberships will still be available, but you'll no longer be able to pick up cheap codes for full games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
UK-based retailer ShopTo has already informed buyers of the change on social media, noting that it will continue to sell codes for DLC as explained in Nintendo's statement while also urging fans to pick up any full games before they have to be taken down later this evening.
Buying digital codes from retailers has reliably been one of the more affordable ways to buy new Nintendo games in recent years, so we're sad to see the option disappear. Going forward, digital fans might want to consider making use of Nintendo's own Game Voucher Programme.
Nintendo has given its first formal apology for the continued Joy-Con problems faced by Nintendo Switch owners.
In a recent investor briefing, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa was asked about the ongoing issue which has plagued the Switch's Joy-Con controllers ever since the system first launched.
"Regarding the Joy-Con, we apologise for any trouble caused to our customers," Furukawa said (as translated by Kotaku).
Specifically, the question was around an ongoing class-action lawsuit Nintendo is facing in the US from Switch owners who have experienced "Joy-Con drift" - the seemingly common experience of finding your controller not responding properly to analogue stick controls, or suddenly controlling itself.
"We are continuing to aim to improve our products," Furukawa continued, "but as the Joy-Con is the subject of a class-action lawsuit in the United States and this is still a pending issue, we would like to refrain from responding about any specific actions."
"At Nintendo, we take great pride in creating quality products and we are continuously making improvements to them," a Nintendo UK spokesperson told Eurogamer at the time. "We are aware of recent reports that some Joy-Con controllers are not responding correctly. We want our consumers to have fun with Nintendo Switch, and if anything falls short of this goal we always encourage them to visit http://support.nintendo.co.uk so we can help."
Apple's upcoming "iPhone 12 Pro" and "iPhone 12 Pro Max" will feature displays capable of up to 120Hz refresh rates, allowing for a smoother on-screen experience, according to a reliable mobile leaker. A reliable source, if there is no accident, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max have basically determined the maximum 120Hz refresh rate.— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) June 26, 2020 "A...
The OnePlus Nord is official. After months of rumors and speculation, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer has confirmed the name of its upcoming, and much-teased affordable phone.
Originally rumored as the OnePlus 8 Lite and OnePlus Z, the OnePlus Nord name also witnessed its fair share of leaks, and is the moniker the firm has settled on.
In its announcement, OnePlus said that Nord is a new product line for the company, which may mean the affordable handset - which the firm has confirmed is on its way - will have a name which is an extension of 'OnePlus Nord'.
OnePlus Founder and CEO, Pete Lau confirmed that the OnePlus Nord smartphone will be available in Europe and India first, while "a select number of users in North America will also get a chance to experience the new device through a highly limited beta program after launch."
It's not clear why OnePlus is running a beta program in the US, or how many units will be available, but we'll update you when we know more.
OnePlus also confirmed - via its Instagram channel - that it will have 100 units of its new smartphone available to order at 9am BST (4am EDT, 1am PDT) on July 1.
What will the OnePlus Nord offer?
This is the first time since the launch of the short-lived OnePlus X in 2015, that OnePlus is launching an affordable handset to go alongside its flagship offering.
OnePlus hasn't offered up any further information on the OnePlus Nord, so that name is all we know for certain, but various leaks have hinted at what you may be able to expect.
According to a recent rumor, the OnePlus Nord is set to have dual front-facing cameras (32MP + 8MP) in a punch-hole cutout in the corner of the screen.
A spec leak suggests the OnePlus Nord will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, 6GB of RAM, 6.65-inch screen and three rear cameras - however this report also says it'll have just one front-facing camera.
Meanwhile an older report claims the handset will come with a MediaTek 1000 chipset, single front camera and 6.4-inch screen.
It means we're not totally clear on what the OnePlus Nord will offer up when it comes to market, and we're still awaiting word on when it will be officially revealed.
Apple could sell the iPhone 12, its first device capable of 5G connections, without headphones, a charger or a plug adaptor in the box.
According to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who spoke to Apple blog 9to5Mac, Apple is dropping these accessories so it can sell its next-generation phone at a similar price to the iPhone 11.
Not including this extras in the box might only save the company a few dollars - Apple's store offers these accessories for less than £40.
But crucially, they could also reduce the company's electronics waste footprint, and reduce the amount of packaging around new iPhones expected to be released this September.
Earlier this year, the European Parliament called for all mobile phone makers to introduce a standard charger which would work across all phones and tablets.
Advertisement
According to EU officials, the changes would make customers' lives easier and help the environment, with estimates suggesting that old chargers generate more than 51,000 tonnes of electronic waste each year.
But the company warned forcing it to adopt a universal charger would actually create "an unprecedented volume of electronic waste" and inconvenience millions of people.
More from Apple
The key difference between iPhones and most other smartphones on the market is Apple's use of the Lightning port instead of micro-USB or USB-C.
When Apple removed its headphone jack in 2016, users were still able to use the company's wired EarPods which Apple provided in the box and which connected to the phone through its Lightning port.
By not including an adaptor and charger within its own box, Apple leaves room for consumers to buy their own - as it does with the headphones too.
This could be a win-win for the company and end up being a bit more expensive for consumers if they subsequently choose to go on and purchase Apple's £160 AirPods, or £250 AirPods Pro.
Apple could sell the iPhone 12, its first device capable of 5G connections, without headphones, a charger or a plug adaptor in the box.
According to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who spoke to Apple blog 9to5Mac, Apple is dropping these accessories so it can sell its next-generation phone at a similar price to the iPhone 11.
Not including this extras in the box might only save the company a few dollars - Apple's store offers these accessories for less than £40.
But crucially, they could also reduce the company's electronics waste footprint, and reduce the amount of packaging around new iPhones expected to be released this September.
Earlier this year, the European Parliament called for all mobile phone makers to introduce a standard charger which would work across all phones and tablets.
Advertisement
According to EU officials, the changes would make customers' lives easier and help the environment, with estimates suggesting that old chargers generate more than 51,000 tonnes of electronic waste each year.
But the company warned forcing it to adopt a universal charger would actually create "an unprecedented volume of electronic waste" and inconvenience millions of people.
More from Apple
They key difference between iPhones and most other smartphones on the market is Apple's use of the Lightning port instead of micro-USB or USB-C.
When Apple removed its headphone jack in 2016, users were still able to use the company's wired EarPods which Apple provided in the box and which connected to the phone through its Lightning port.
By not including an adaptor and charger within its own box, Apple leaves room for consumers to buy their own - as it does with the headphones too.
This could be a win-win for the company and end up being a bit more expensive for consumers if they subsequently choose to go on and purchase Apple's £160 AirPods, or £250 AirPods Pro.
A major Season 4 update is headed to Call of Duty Modern Warfare and Warzone courtesy of Infinity Ward and Activision. The new update, named Season 4 Reloaded, is a chunky one and will start rolling out tonight, June 29, at 11 pm PDT.
Depending on the platform, the update will vary from 22-36 GB for Modern Warfare owners, and 22-30 GB for Warzone players. Console players will also need to install a secondary download of 3.5 GB. Once the installation is complete, Modern Warfare’s digital footprint will slightly increase, whereas there will be a slight decrease for Warzone.
A plethora of additions is coming to multiplayer, as well as battle royale with the latest update. The developers have also incorporated several weapon adjustments. Let’s dive into the patch notes released by Infinity Ward, prior to the update.
Tonight's update will begin rolling out across all platforms at 11PM PDT! Be sure to read up on what's coming to #ModernWarfare and #Warzone, see weapon adjustments, download size information, and more by checking out our patch notes! https://t.co/FTa4G6eEd1pic.twitter.com/yE2uoW5ws2
The most significant addition is perhaps the increased player count of 200 players for the battle royale. For now, it is only applicable to Battle Royale Quads, meaning 50 Quads will jump into Verdansk at once.
Supply Run Contracts are also headed to Warzone. After activating the contract, players will have to reach a nearby Buy Station within the time limit for a discount on Buy Station purchases.
A new piece of equipment, the Spotter Scope, awaits Warzone players. It is a high-powered and re-usable scope without the glint, enabling one to scan their surroundings and mark enemies while remaining undetected.
Moreover, the Gulag will receive semi-auto rifles, snipers, and a “just fists and a throwing knife” melee loadout. BR Trios, BR Duos, BR Solos, and Plunder: Blood Money are the other available Warzone modes.
A new sniper rifle, the Rytec AMR, and a new Operator, Roze, will also be joining the multiplayer and the battle royale, even though the patch notes don’t mention those.
Modern Warfare gets a new map in the form of Cheshire 24/7. Players will get to experience tactical multiplayer combat on the map located in urban London, England.
Team Defender, a popular game mode from the previous Call of Duty titles, also returns to Modern Warfare. It is a fast-paced objective-based game mode similar to Capture the Flag, but with a twist.
Ground War, Blueprint Gunfight, Shoot the Ship 24/7, Gunfight Tournaments will also be accessible. Realism Mosh Pit is shifted to the Quick Play Filter and Strongbox Regular, Strongbox Veteran, are the Modified Special Operations available.
Players have complained about the developers’ decision to exclude weapon adjustments from the initial Season 4 update. This time though, the Season 4 Reloaded update has addressed the issue by implementing necessary balancing acts to numerous weapons. Here are all the weapon adjustments as presented by Infinity Ward:
The M4 will perform an AR magazine reload when attempting to reload the underbarrel launcher while you have the 50 Round Mag attachment equipped. This has been fixed.
Stopping Power is now applied to headshots. Only certain weapons can go from a 2-shot to a 1-shot headshot, like the FAL and Oden. This fixes a few cases where headshots could sometimes do less damage than body shots when using Stopping Power.
Start Ammo and Max Ammo Adjustments:
Increased Max Ammo: M4 .458 SOCOM Rounds
Increased Max Ammo and Start Ammo:
CR-56 AMAX M67 Rounds
SKS 10 Round Mags
Striker 45 Hollowpoint Rounds
SCAR Default Mags
Oden Default Mags
Increased Start Ammo:
SCAR 25 Round Mags
Oden 25 Round Mags
AX-50: Increased damage range
HDR: Guaranteed one-hit to lower torso at any range
Kar98k:
Increased ADS speed
Small decrease to hip spread
Increased damage range
MK2 Carbine:
Faster movement speed
Increased damage range
Dragonuv:
Increased ADS speed
2 hit kill min
Gun recoil returns to the center more
Faster rate of fire
FAL: Added a close-range damage shelf with one-hit headshot potential
AK-47: Increased ADS speed
CR-56 AMAX: Decreased damage range
MP5:
Decreased damage range
Decreased 10MM damage range
Reduced long-range damage to 10MM ammo
Slight recoil increase to 10MM ammo
Grau 5.56
Damage range reduction
Slight increase to high-frequency recoil
Reduced recoil compensation and decreased range on Tempus 26.4” Archangel and FSS 20.8” Nexus barrels
Fix for an exploit in Boneyard where players could climb into the destroyed portion of a plane
Gas Mask now cracks when you’re taking damage near or in the circle
‘Team Wiped’ message now appears in the Killfeed for your whole squad to see
Fix for an issue where players could spawn under the map after winning their Gulag match
Fixed a bug where players using Charly’s Tactical Human skin or Mara’s Valkryie skin would notice their character models missing from the exfil epilogue in the helicopter
The audio for the Supply Choppers is too loud, preventing players from hearing most other sounds and communicating with their squad. This has been adjusted
During the Supply Chopper event, the supply choppers may spawn from under the map, killing players positioned on top of these locations as they raised through the map. This has been fixed
Fix for the final circle being too close over areas that players cannot access such as the middle of Stadium
The After Action Report now shows Cash Earned and Placement
Fix for a rare bug where a player spawned out of bounds after dying out of bounds
Fix for a minor issue where the radio operator dialog and subtitles for called in Killstreaks could incorrectly play the wrong faction
Now allow up to three Precision Airstrikes to be called in at once but within a distance restriction
Apart from that, there are several General fixes, as well as fixes for Special Operations. You can check out Infinity Ward’s full patch notes for all the details.
From what we know so far, it looks like the PS5 will revolutionize the way games are developed and played and, according to Epic Games, we would be right to think so.
In an interview with our friends over at Official PlayStation Magazine (via GamesRadar), Epic Games' VP of engineering Nick Penwarden called the PlayStation PS5 a "masterpiece of systems design", having used the PS5 dev kit to create it's stunning Unreal 5 tech demo.
"The PlayStation 5 is a masterpiece of systems design," Penwarden told OPM. "Not only is it driving a huge leap in computing and graphics performance, but it is also revolutionary in terms of storage and data compression technology, unlocking new kinds of games and experiences for players to enjoy."
Does what it says on the tin
(Image credit: Sony)
It seems like the PS5 is living up to the hype, with Sony's bullish claim that the next-gen console will “revolutionize the game experience for users” seemingly coming to fruition.
It's not hugely surprisingly, as we already know the PS5 will be a hugely powerful console, with its super-fast SSD promising fast loading and its Tempest 3D audio promising a more immersive gaming experience.
But the next-gen processing power won't just make games more immersive. According to Kim Libreri, CTO of Epic Games, it will allow "enable entirely new gameplay concepts that can take advantage of fully dynamic environments and lighting, much improved physics, smarter AI, and richer multiplayer experiences."
Social media platform TikTok has told the BBC it did not receive or store any data from Apple iPhone clipboards.
In a developer trial of the latest update to the phone's operating system, iOS 14, users are notified whenever an app accesses the handset's clipboard.
TikTok was one of 53 apps that security researchers had previously flagged as regularly seeking clipboard access.
TikTok said it introduced the move to stop people spamming the platform by copying and pasting the same content.
The platform, owned by Chinese firm Bytedance, also said it disabled the feature via an automated app update pushed out on 27 June.
It was never enabled on Android devices, it added.
"Following the beta release of iOS14 on June 22, users saw notifications while using a number of popular apps," it said in a statement.
"For TikTok, this was triggered by a feature designed to identify repetitive, spammy behaviour. We submitted an updated version of the app to the App Store removing the anti-spam feature to eliminate any potential confusion."
Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia, shared video of Apple's new notification on Twitter.
"TikTok is grabbing the contents of my clipboard every 1-3 keystrokes," he wrote.
"iOS 14 is snitching on it with the new paste notification."
'Silently readable'
The news had alarmed privacy campaigners.
"People ought to be aware that on mobile devices, in order to try and be helpful they can be doing things that are slightly unexpected," said Prof Alan Woodward, cyber-security expert at Surrey University.
"It's not ideal but in this case there is no evidence that it was sending the data anywhere other than the phone. There's no cause for alarm."
In order to share a website address with a message platform, for example, or to grab a password from a password manager and paste it into a password-protected service, the clipboard has to be accessible,
In research published in March, Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk identified dozens of apps which they said accessed the clipboard.
Apple told them at the time that it did not believe there was an issue with the vulnerability - but its new iOS update now warns iPhone users when it happens.
May's event had its critics - with Microsoft admitting it had "set some wrong expectations". But what about June? A day away from the end of the month and with no further mention of Xbox 20/20, it should perhaps come as no surprise to hear Microsoft does not have a big reveal still tucked up its sleeve for tomorrow.
All Microsoft said publicly on its Xbox 20/20 plans for this month was a vague comment from Xbox marketing exec Aaron Greenberg that the "June news will be done differently than [an] Inside Xbox show".
To see this content please enable targeting cookies.
Eurogamer understands June was, months ago, when Microsoft had planned to reveal its second next-gen console: the lower-powered Xbox Series S, codenamed Lockhart. Microsoft is still to officially acknowledge this console exists, although public evidence of it is now getting increasingly difficult for the company to ignore.
The original plan was to showcase the Xbox Series S as part of Xbox's big E3 2020 show, so the proposition of a cheaper next-gen option could be explained properly, sat alongside the graphical powerhouse provided by the beefier Series X, both playing the same next-gen games.
But when E3 was cancelled and remote working hindered progress on various internal game projects, it became clear Microsoft could no longer show both its boxes and next-gen games all at the same time. It had to rethink the timeline for all these plans, and instead opted to spread its reveals over a longer timescale - something the company publicly branded Xbox 20/20.
Earlier in the month, Venturebeat's Jeff Grubb reported Microsoft was now saving a big June announcement for August (which is when Eurogamer also understands Xbox Series S will finally be revealed). This prompted a carefully-worded response from Greenberg stating the company had "not pushed anything back", and that its next big digital show was still July.
The argument here seems to be whether Series S was still a June announcement for Microsoft after Xbox 20/20 was detailed. The lack of any other big reveal would appear to suggest so, though I've heard from others in Microsoft who say not - that June was always supposed to be a quieter month for announcements, and the idea of a "moment" for June was always a little out of step with reality. I also understand Microsoft's June plans were made quieter still as the company shuffled its cards yet again to accommodate the real-world events dominating headlines.
Of course, Microsoft cannot control global events and can adapt its marketing schedule however it pleases. But the lack of any update this month on its June Xbox 20/20 "moment" has left a hole in its regular-sounding announcement schedule - and one it has not publicly addressed. Microsoft declined to comment further when contacted by Eurogamer.
After a lacklustre May and largely non-existent June, all eyes are on Microsoft's July Xbox 20/20 show to finally deliver - and August, for the reveal of that second box.
Another day, another PS5 rumour. These particular morsels concern the biggest remaining question on every gamer's lips: how much will the PlayStation 5 cost?
One Twitter user – operating under the catchy handle @IronManPS5 – has been busily leaking price-tags and release dates for Sony's newest PlayStation over a series of tweets.
PlayStation 5 will be available in North America and Europe on November 20, 2020 at a recommended retail price (RRP) of $499, €499 and £449 pic.twitter.com/YoiDaGiIJoJune 18, 2020
As well as stating that Japan will see the PS5 on 14th November, six days ahead of North America and Europe (who'll apparently get it on 20th November), the user claims PS5 price for the full-fat console (the one with the disc drive) will be £449 ($499) while the digital-only console will apparently retail for £100 less: £349 ($399).
It's important to note here that @IronManPS5 has been 'leaking' information about the PlayStation 5 for a while now and while some of it has proved accurate, most recently they've erred a few times (according to GiveMeSport), so do take all of this with a pinch of salt.
Next up, the DualSense controller, which will apparently launch at a recommended retail price of £54.99 ($59.99) and the Pulse 3D Wireless headset, that could set you back £129 ($159) making it the most expensive PS5 accessory.
The HD camera pricing for the PS5 is reported to be £55 ($60) meanwhile, and a charging station for the controllers, capable of charging two at once, will cost £24.99 ($29.99).
Further tweets reveal that both the PS5 and the PS5 Digital will contain an 825GB SSD, which, if true, will make for some really snappy loading times.
When any of this is confirmed, we'll let you know. Stay tuned.
Sony has announced that NBA 2K20, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Erica will be July 2020's PlayStation Plus free games. In addition, today, June 29, is the 10 year anniversary of the launch of PlayStation Plus.Announced on PlayStation.Blog, all three of these games will be available from July 7 - August 3. As for how Sony is celebrating 10 years of PlayStation Plus, it will be offering a free PS4 theme for a limited time, and a free online multiplayer weekend that will start on July 4 at 12:01am - July 5 at 11:59pm in your local timezone.
PlayStation also shared a look back graphic of PS Plus through the years. Some interesting facts shown are that Wipeout HD was one of the first games given to PS Plus Members, June 2012 saw the introduction of monthly games, over 1,000 games have been offered through the service globally, and there are over 41.5 million users as of March 31, 2020.
It also revealed that the Top 5 Monthly Games Redeemed from PS Plus Globally are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Sonic Forces, Shadow of the Colossus, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, and Destiny 2.
The Top 5 Online Multiplayer Games Played by PS Plus Members Globally are Grand Theft Auto V, Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Destiny, and Call of Duty: Black Ops IV.
In our review of NBA 2K20, we said "NBA 2K continues its tradition of upping already tremendous gameplay, emulating the real-life sport in ways that didn’t seem possible just years ago."
In our review of Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, we said "Rise of the Tomb Raider hasn’t lost its luster a year after its initial release. Bundled together with all of the content released so far, Lara’s already-packed adventure is now even bigger."Erica is a "feature-length cinematic experience" that follows Erica, a "brave young lady plagues with nightmare's of your father's murder." When traumatic events are brought back to light via new clues, you must figure out the "shocking truth behind this devastating tragedy.
Apple's 2020 iPhones may come without a power adapter or EarPods in the box as the US tech giant looks to offset the cost of adding 5G support to its next-generation handsets
Apple could save cash with slimmer packaging and fewer accessories included
iPhone 12 buyers would have to buy a power adaptor and earphones separately
The tech firm will claim the move will help combat electronic waste, analyst says
Apple may not include a power adapter and earphones in the box with the new iPhone 12, set to be released later this year, according to a respected leaker.
The tech giant, which usually includes an adapter and a pair of its wired EarPods in the box of every iPhone, will sell them separately due to increased production costs related to components that support 5G.
This change will reportedly apply to the firm’s four new iPhone 12 models, set to be released in October this year at the very earliest, as well as the new budget iPhone SE, which was released earlier this year.
iPhone 12 may not even support wired headphones, which would push customers towards Apple's £160 wireless Bluetooth AirPods.
The claims come from renowned Apple product predictor and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, as detailed in a research note obtained by MacRumors.
Apple will tout the environmental benefits of letting customers decide if they want to buy their own earphones or power adaptor, which could reduce e-waste.
While iPhone 12 will include a Lightning to USB cable in the box, Apple is planning to phase this out too with the first ever wireless iPhone, due in 2021, Kuo said.
Apple will no longer include the EarPods (far left) or power adaptor (far right) with its upcoming iPhone 12 models, which are due later this year. Pictured here is Apple's breakdown of 'what's in the box with the iPhone 11, released last year
But the billion-dollar tech firm reportedly wants to eliminate some of the manufacturing costs associated with making its new iPhone line-up support 5G.
The lack of adaptor and wired earphones will also allow for slimmer and therefore more eco-friendly packaging, which will also cut shipping expenses.
Despite taking these two accessories out of the equation, Apple will not be cutting the cost of the iPhone.
The four iPhone 12 models will in fact be similar in price to the current £729 iPhone 11, which comes with EarPods and a 5W USB power adapter.
The decision not to include wired EarPods in the box of the iPhone 12 will also help turn consumers towards its £250 AirPods Pro (left) and AirPods (right), which range from £160 to £200
‘Kuo believes that iPhone 12 production costs will significantly increase due to 5G support,’ MacRumors reports.
‘But he expects Apple to sell the new models at a comparable price to its iPhone 11 lineup, and removing the EarPods and power adapter from the box is one way to reduce costs.’
This would make the Lightning to USB cable the only accessory included with the actual phone.
Apple will release a new 20W power adapter as an optional accessory and end production of its existing 5W and 18W power adapters later this year, the report adds.
This 20W adapter looks similar to the 18W version, according to an image leaked by Kuo.
The form factor of the new 20W power adapter (pictured here) is said to be similar to the existing 18W version
Apple’s iPhone 12 could be completely wireless, meaning users will not receive a free pair of earbuds and be forced to purchase the firm’s $159 AirPods
Irritatingly for iPhone buyers, the two iPads that Apple is set to release in the next year – one 10.8-inch model and an 8.5-inch iPad mini – will include the 20W charger in the box, Kuo said.
As for the earphones, the company will continue to offer its wired EarPods and its more expensive Bluetooth wireless AirPods, which start at £160, and AirPods Pro, which cost £250 and feature additional noise cancellation technology and water resistance.
Apple currently sells power adaptors on its site separately – starting at £29 for 18W – as well as its EarPods, which also sell for £29.
However, the latter may not be much use for iPhone 12 buyers if it turns out the new model doesn't support wired earphones, if previous rumours are to be believed.
Kuo already said that iPhone 12 could be completely wireless, meaning users will forced to purchase the firm’s £159 AirPods.
Apple's decision, if true, will make the second-generation iPhone SE, released earlier this year, the last of its smartphones to have been packed with the full set of accessories.
However, Apple will stop including the power adapter with the second-generation iPhone SE later this year, Kuo said.
The second-generation iPhone SE, released this April, includes EarPods, Lightning to USB Cable and a 5W USB power adapter in the box
The hotly anticipated ‘budget’ iPhone SE is an update of the original model of the same name, released in 2016.
The £429 device, released this April, already includes EarPods, Lightning to USB Cable and a 5W USB power adapter.
Kuo also noted that Apple is not expected to release new models of AirPods or AirPods Pro until 2021, 9to5Mac reports.
He has also predicted that the high-end iPhone released in 2021 will be completely wireless and not even feature a Lightning port, Apple’s own power connector technology, as reported by 9to5Mac.
Apple is set to release four new iPhone 12 models later this year, according to The Wall Street Journal, all of which are expected to support 5G, the next generation connectivity standard.
These include the standard 5.4 inch iPhone 12 model, the 6.1 inch iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Max, and lastly, the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max.
An alleged leak of the models suggest they will have squared-off edges – reminiscent of the iPhone 5 from 2012.
Alleged 3D render of the iPhone 12 and its notable flat edge - a feature last seen with the iPhone 5
Metal moulds of phones are typically produced by third-party case makers to design cases for future phone releases, which are based on leaked dimensions and specs
The photos, which come courtesy of Twitter user @Jin_Store, an Australia-based reseller of Apple products, show metal iPhone dummies and virtual renderings of the supposed device.
The dummies are supposedly used by iPhone accessory manufacturers to help get the shapes and sizes of their products right.
iPhone 12 is also expected to be delayed from Apple's usual September launch date due to the coronavirus pandemic and resulting factory shut-downs earlier in the year.
A supplier to Apple revealed that the tech giant's upcoming iPhone will be delayed from its usual September launch, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
US hardware manufacturer Broadcom, which develops chips for the iPhone and other Apple mobile devices, spoke of a 'major product cycle delay' earlier this month.
While Apple wasn't named explicitly, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan referred to a 'large North American mobile phone' client during his company's earnings call.
iPHONE 12 RUMOURS
Respected leaker Jon Prosser revealed schematics of a drastically reduced camera 'notch' on the front, expected for the iPhone 12
A pair of leaked schematics suggest that Apple's upcoming iPhone 12 will fall just short of eliminating a camera 'notch' on the phone's display.
The pictures, posted on Twitter by frequent phone leaker Jon Prosser, show what appear to be official Apple schematics for its next flagship iPhone - specifically a drastically reduced 'notch' that stores the device's front-facing camera components.
According to the schematics the microphone will be moved to the top of the device's display in order to compress the size of the camera notch.
Citing ‘people familiar with the plans,’ the report notes that Apple is set to release four new smartphones this year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The devices will come in three different sizes, one will be 5.4 inches, two at 6.1 inches and another model is 6.7 inches – some of the handsets will support 5G.
Apple’s iPhone 12 could also be completely wireless, meaning users will not receive a free pair of earbuds and be forced to purchase the firm’s $159 AirPods.
The news was revealed by well-known Apple product predictor Ming-Chi Kuo, who believes the tech giant may offer promotions or discounts on the AirPods this holiday season.
Kuo also noted that Apple is not expected to release new models of AirPods or AirPods Pro until 2021, 9to5Mac reports.
PlayStation Plus subscribers will get access to three games in July: Rise of the Tomb Raider, NBA 2K20, and Erica. All three titles will be able to download for PlayStation 4 starting Tuesday, July 7.
Rise of the Tomb Raiderfrom Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix is the follow-up to the 2013 Tomb Raider series reboot. It was originally released in 2015 as an Xbox exclusive, and came to PS4 the following year as Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration. NBA 2K20 is, of course, last year’s entry in 2K Sports’ basketball simulation. And Erica is a full-motion-video interactive thriller that can be playable with a DualShock 4 or via the Erica companion app for mobile devices.
July’s PlayStation Plus games are available to download through Aug. 3.
Sony is also releasing a free PS4 theme in celebration of 10 years of PlayStation Plus. It will be available for a limited time, Sony says. The company is also hosting a free multiplayer weekend from July 4 at 12:01 a.m. through July 5 at 11:59 p.m. in your local time.
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.
Users of iOS (and possibly iPadOS) are finally joining the Facebook dark mode party – it's been confirmed that the option is now slowly rolling out to Apple's mobile devices, though you might not have it just yet.
Facebook confirmed to SocialMediaToday that "a small percentage of users" can now activate dark mode for iOS, with numerous tweets backing that up. It's not clear whether or not you need to be running the iOS 14 beta to be able to see it.
Android users have been testing dark mode since the start of the year, though it still hasn't made its way out to everyone yet – it remains to be seen if dark mode will go live for everyone on Android and iOS at once. If it's available on your device, it should be under the Settings & Privacy menu.
Dark mode has also made its way to Facebook on the web, though again it hasn't reached everyone yet – here are the instructions for activating it in Chrome if you're not seeing it as an official option on the main menu.
Keep on waiting
Considering dark mode has been embraced by so many apps in recent months, it's strange that Facebook is lagging behind. To be fair to its engineers though, they did get around to adding it to Facebook Messenger last year.
Last year also saw a system-wide dark mode officially launched for iPhones, with the arrival of iOS 13. It's possible that Facebook dark mode will appear for everyone with iOS 14 later in the year.
Until then you'll have to play the waiting game to get dark mode on your iPhone or iPad. The only other option is to enable the different look in Chrome for iOS or iPadOS – we've got instructions on how to do that here.
Besides turning on dark mode at the system level for Android and iOS, you can also find the setting in a host of individual apps, including YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and the Google search app.
Last month, as part of Radio 1's virtual Big Weekend festival, Becky Hill installed a microphone in her bedroom and belted out a medley of flawless club classics.
Among them were chart-toppers like Gecko (Overdrive), the summer anthem I Wish You Well, and the platinum-selling Lose Control.
For a lot of listeners it was an lightbulb moment, as they figured out Hill was the voice behind some of the biggest hits of the 2010s.
"I heard all these songs so many times but never realised," wrote a typical user under a YouTube video of her performance. "Becky's voice is absolutely brilliant."
The 26-year-old is getting used to that reaction. On tour with The Script earlier this year, she witnessed the audience having the same epiphany every night.
"I'd come on stage and half-way through my set I'd go, 'How many of you didn't know who I was by my name?' and I'd see an array of hands," she says.
"Then I'd say, 'How many of you knew me after you heard the music?' and they'd all keep their hands up!
"It's so nice to see them click, singing all the words and going, 'I didn't know that was you!'"
Hill started her career on the first UK series of The Voice in 2012, reaching the semi-final. But when the programme turned out to be hopeless at launching people's careers, she became a songwriter for hire, writing and recording hits for producers like Oliver Heldens, Sigala and Jax Jones, all while holding down a bar job in her home town of Bewdley.
A record deal with Parlophone produced a couple of EPs and the criminally underrated single Losing - but ultimately failed to pan out.
Since 2017, she's been signed to Polydor where, in addition to touring with Pete Tong's Ibiza Classics show, she recently scored her first hit single under her own name, the defiantly upbeat Better Off Without You.
She's following that up this week with a new, house-inspired single Heaven On My Mind, and the launch of her "Art Of Rave" podcast.
Hill sat down with the BBC to talk about those projects, her "freakishly strong" arms and why many artists are afraid to speak badly of Spotify.
Hi Becky, how are things?
I'm good, thanks. I had my first personal training session this morning. I'm trying to get back out into the bikini sunshine before it's Christmas.
How did it go?
Not bad. We're trying to build up my strength again. I think I'm my trainer's example student because he tells all his clients I'm really freakishly strong.
What makes you freakishly strong?
Weight training and a good genetic make-up! But I do suffer from having a protruding belly if I don't work out so we're back on it after the lockdown.
Were you, like everyone else, just snacking on biscuits the whole time?
Yes, eating non-stop. I can't cook either, so my boyfriend was cooking for me every single day. He was knocking up salmon joints and turkey roasts... I think he was trying to get me to stay with him through the lockdown. And it worked.
No! We've kind of come back together and sort of sorted things out.
I've actually written a lot of songs about him. Sunrise In The East was about me and him staying up all night talking; I Could Get Used To This was written just before our fourth date, and it was about stepping into a new relationship; and then obviously Wish You Well and Better Off Without You happened when we had the break-up.
Not to put any pressure on the situation, but if you ended up getting married, would you play I Could Get Used To This at the wedding?
Hell no! Can you imagine dancing to your own tune at your own wedding? I wish I was that up my own arse, but I'm not unfortunately.
Your new single Heaven On My Mind is a proper dancing-in-a-field summer anthem. Is it strange to be releasing it in a year when all the festivals are cancelled?
Yeah, it's a very weird time, but I'm hoping people are listening in their gardens and still enjoying the summer music vibes.
What was the inspiration for this one?
It was actually sent to me as a fully-formed song [then] me and my best friend MNEK rewrote the verses and added the crowd chanting at the end.
What attracted you to the song?
Last year was quite a dark year for me. My granddad got liver cancer and died. My mum was nursing him and she got alopecia because of stress. Then my nana, who's got dementia, had a fall and my mum had to move her into a care home. On top of that, I moved house, I had a relationship break-up, and me and my housemate fell out.
So Heaven On My Mind is a song I would never have thought about writing. But I really loved the concept knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And I think that was a really strong message for me last year.
The song is coming off the back of your first solo hit, and that eye-catching Radio 1 performance. It feels like this might be a turning point in your career. Are you ready to give up your anonymity?
Yes! I mean, whenever I go back to Bewdley it's like I'm the local celebrity and that's very, very strange. But I'm looking forward to, hopefully, success and on a big scale because I feel like I've been writing this album for my entire career and I want as many people as possible to hear it.
Has the wait been frustrating?
Not really, actually. It's been frustrating that people only saw me as a "featured artist" for a while, but in terms of making an album, it's been quite a nice, unpressurised environment to write songs and pick the best ones.
How many songs do you think you've written in that time?
The last time me and my manager counted was in [2018] and at that point it was about 600.
I Wish You Well has seven writers listed on the credits. What do you contribute in a situation like that?
My strength is in melody and lyrics. I had the phrase "wish you well" written down on my phone because I really like to have concepts and stories in songs. And although I'm not particularly great on chorus melodies, I came up with the first half of that chorus.
How common is it to have that number of writers now?
It's interesting really, because if you're in a room with two other people and one of those people doesn't contribute anything, they still get a third [of the publishing royalties], because if you're in the room then you either changed the vibe or the way things were written, even if you didn't necessarily come up with lyrics or melody.
How do you make a living when the money is split seven ways?
I think it's important to find out who all the writers were and make sure everyone gets a fair cut - but the music industry hasn't really got payment of people right at all, to be honest.
All the labels have a share in Spotify, for example, but it's difficult to speak up against it because if you slag off Spotify, you're probably not going to get your next single on their New Music Friday playlist. There's a lot of stuff that people feel they have to stay silent on. But I always try to make sure everyone who works on a song gets paid.
That's impressive, because I think a lot of people would be tempted just to take the money.
I don't know. I think it's a lot fairer than that, especially among writers. We all tend to look after each other a bit better these days.
You're about to launch a podcast about rave culture. What prompted that?
Basically, the podcast started because I wondered if I was missing the golden days of rave.
I started raving when I was fully legal - 18 years old - and I wanted to know if social media and phones had changed the experience. Like, I've always noticed if I go to a house rave, people are shuffling, and their mate is recording them shuffling, then they upload it to their Instagram going, "Look at me shuffling!". And I wondered if that had damaged the essence of rave culture.
So I spoke to people like Roni Size and Pete Tong about how has the landscape has changed, from when they started DJing in the 80s to now, and did I miss out on an era that I wanted to be a part of? And I've got some very mixed responses.
If you could go back to a specific era of rave, what year would you choose?
I'd go back to 1998 for a couple of days, before the drugs got worse and the music changed. I love all that euphoric trance from the Ibiza days. It must have been the best time.
Becky Hill's new single Heaven On My Mind is out now, and her podcast launches next week.
