Technologies

First Week of iPhone 17: What Really Happens Inside an Apple Store Launch

Apple puts on quite a launch show, but it’s hard for Apple to control the story when iPhones release into the wild.

Apple has ways of shaping the narrative around an iPhone launch, but the first week is when we really start to scratch the surface of what it’s like to live with the new models.

The launch of an iPhone is quite the spectacle, especially at Apple’s flagship New York City store on Fifth Avenue. Apple CEO Tim Cook and a bevy of other top executives gather to cheer on the first customers, take selfies and sign autographs. A slew of photographers gather in a press pen to capture these moments — and some of those moments, like customers holding up newly purchased iPhones, are a little more crafted than others.

In this week’s episode of One More Thing, which you can watch embedded here, I go into the performative nature of the launch day and share a side of the story you don’t typically see on a social media feed.

Now that anyone can get their hands on an iPhone, Apple loses some of the control of its messaging. Judging by some customer complaints of dings and scratches, the new iPhone has lost some of its launch-week luster.

I’ve taken both the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max out for a spin for the past week. And as I share in this week’s video, sometimes it takes a little nature walk to connect with what really matters in an iPhone: the camera.

I also share what I’ve learned from using various iPhone 17 series cases — since you may want one to avoid your own «scratchgate» drama. Oddly enough, my Air with a bumper case saw the most damage so far. Maybe I’m just not cut out to treat phones as fashion items.

If you’re looking for more One More Thing, subscribe to our YouTube page to catch Bridget Carey breaking down the latest Apple news and issues every Friday.

Technologies

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Might Come in 5G and 4G Cellular Models

If the rumor proves true, the 5G Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 that debuted last fall.

Samsung’s next high-end Galaxy Watch could support faster 5G speeds, but if this leak is true, it will depend on where you live. The rumored Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 might come in 5G and 4G cellular models, with availability for each smartwatch depending on the country.

According to the Dutch website Galaxy Club (and spotted by SamMobile), Samsung’s servers may have revealed a series of model numbers that point to 5G, 4G and Wi-Fi-enabled editions of the next Galaxy Watch Ultra, which would succeed the original model that debuted in 2024.

A representative for Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Galaxy Club website speculates that the 5G edition would be sold in the US and Korean markets, while the 4G edition would sell in the rest of the world. In the US, a 5G version of the Galaxy Watch Ultra would rival the 5G-enabled $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3, which debuted last fall. The 4G edition would have broader compatibility worldwide, since the earlier network is far more established.

It will likely be a few months until we hear anything official about the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Samsung typically unveils its new watches in the summer alongside its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones. Last year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, but otherwise left the prior 2024 Ultra in the lineup for those looking for a larger 47mm smartwatch.

Technologies

2 Cases Show Supreme Court Isn’t Holding ISPs Responsible for Piracy

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 8, #1032

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for April 8, No. 1032.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is kind of tough. The purple category is a fun one, once you see the connection. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: In the group.

Green group hint: Appearance details.

Blue group hint: Often found in gyms.

Purple group hint: They help you see.