The Morning After: Apple reveals its new cheapest iPhone. Whats missing?
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If you couldnt stomach $800 for a new iPhone with Apple Intelligence, dont worry: Apple just announced the iPhone 16e. At $599, it strikes a balance on specs, which is the soft and cosy way to say it doesnt have everything.It has a lot, though. With a 6.1-inch screen, its a much bigger device than the 4.7-inch iPhone SE, with a notch for FaceID (no more TouchID), USB-C (adios, Lightning) and the companys A18 processor. Theres also an action button, which arrived with the iPhone 15 series, but no Camera Control.AppleThats the same processor as the $800 iPhone 16, so youve got access to what seems to be the full gamut of Apple Intelligence. That includes generative AI writing tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT integration. So yeah, a mixed bag.The notable hardware standout might be the single 48-megapixel Fusion camera, at a time when 'pro' iPhones have three. The last time I tested a single-camera smartphone was the Pixel 4a back in 2020. Oh, and the last iPhone SE.Apple has dropped both wireless charging and MagSafes magnetic ring for the iPhone 16e too, which is a surprise. Im not a huge fan of wireless charging. Its slow, inefficient and confusing. Having said that, I hope this isnt the beginning of the end for Apples wireless charging feature. I love the mag part of MagSafe, which has introduced far more elegant tripods and phone mounts that lock iPhones in place without needing a clamp or a plug. In recent years, weve got unofficial MagSafe cases for other smartphones, so I can do the same with my Android phones.The iPhone 16e lands on February 28 in black and white, but dont worry, there will be fizzy color cases. Even if they dont have MagSafe.(And kudos to this hilariously timed discount on the Pixel 8a, now only $399. I love a good troll deal.) Mat SmithA $599 iPhone 16e is a cruel jokeGreat cameras, not Apple Intelligence, is what people want from an iPhone 16eThe iPhone 16es lack of MagSafe doesnt make senseGet this delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Humanes AI pins will stop working in 7 daysHP has bought the companys IP, but it doesnt want the pins.EngadgetThe company behind the widely ridiculed AI assistant badge/thing has sold all its assets to HP for $116 million not the billion-dollar buyout it hoped for.In a note to its customers, the company said AI Pins will continue to function normally until 12PM PT on February 28, less than a week from now. Customers still within the 90-day return window (why did you buy it?!) will get a refund.Continue reading.The Humane AI Pin is the solution to none of technology's problemsAfter its reputation went up in flames, Humane warns users its charging case may tooOppos Find N5 is a very thin foldable with a giant batteryAnd a price tag to match the Galaxy Z Fold 6.EngadgetOppos Find N5 is thinner than a headphone jack when unfolded and weighs only 229 grams. Thats just a few more than a typical flagship phone. Despite that footprint, it packs a 6.62-inch outer display and an 8.12-inch inner screen, with a seven-core Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a 5,600mAh battery, which supports 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Its technically impressive, but theres no word on when the device will make it to the US. Typically, the devices hit the US under OnePlus branding, but that company says there will be no OnePlus Open 2 this year, so you may have to go out of your way to get your hands on one. Also, expect to pay just shy of $2,000.Continue reading.The biggest tech stories you might have missedLenovo Legion Go S (Windows version) review: Not so fastDJIs Osmo Mobile 7P gimbal can track you around on any Android or iOS camera appxAI launches Grok 3 AI, claiming it is capable of human reasoningYou can now apply for the opportunity to purchase an RTX 5090 or 5080 from NVIDIAThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121944067.html?src=rss
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