Month: July 2018

Satellite Provider Dish adds Apple Business Chat to iPhone and iPad

Dan Uff July 20, 2018 0

DISH customers can now start a conversation with DISH the same way they would text message friends and family. DISH today joined Apple Business Chat, enabling customers to chat directly with live customer service representatives through Messages on their iPhone and iPad.

DISH is the first pay-TV provider to turn on Apple Business Chat, which launched earlier this year.

“TV should be simple, so we’ve made reaching our live customer service representatives as easy as sending a text,” said John Swieringa, DISH chief operating officer, in a statement. “Adding messaging with Apple Business Chat is a powerful way to connect with us, giving another choice so you can pick what fits with your life.”

DISH customers can use Apple Business Chat to contact a live agent to ask questions, make account changes, schedule an appointment and more. They can also use their credit card on file to order a pay-per-view movie or sporting event and watch it within minutes of confirming the purchase. Apple Business Chat does not display customer contact information to an agent, so customers are in complete control of whether they want to share any contact information and can authenticate their account to make changes or purchases.

“We’re here on your time, so send us a message as you head out to work and check back later,” added Swieringa. “We know you’re juggling ten things, so we’ll keep the thread open for you.”

Customers can leave a conversation with DISH at any time and pick it back up when convenient, even on another Apple device linked to the user’s Apple ID. The conversation never times out and ends when a customer deletes the message thread in the Messages app.

To start an Apple Business Chat, customers can search for DISH on iPhone or iPad, then tap the Messages icon that appears next to the DISH search result. Soon customers can even open chat from the contact page of their MyDISH app, which allows customers to easily view and manage their DISH TV account. Devices must be running iOS 11.3 or higher.

Source: DISH Network Corporation

(Video): Teardown of the 2018 MacBook Pro by iFixit

Dan Uff July 20, 2018 0

Web site iFixit has done a video about the internal components of the 2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.

To see it, click below:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA9VqG4j5kk&w=560&h=315]

Apple Confirms that 2018 MacBook Pro does have ‘Membrane’ inside keyboard

Dan Uff July 19, 2018 0

Web site MacRumors.com has obtained another Apple internal document from 'multiple reliable sources' that confirms the company did put a membrane around and inside the MacBook's keys to try and cut down on dust and debris from getting inside. The internal documents are for Canadian, European, and United States MacBook Pro Service Readiness Guide.

The document for the European and Canadian version outlines the following:

Keyboard and Keycaps
The keyboard has a membrane under the keycaps to prevent debris from entering the butterfly mechanism. The procedure for the space bar replacement has also changed from the previous model. Repair documentation and service videos will be available when keycap parts begin shipping.

While the U.S. version of this Service Readiness Guide does not mention the membrane, it contains a link to a separate internal document titled "Butterfly Mechanism Keycap Replacement MacBook Pro (2018)" that does:

Caution:The keyboard has a membrane under the keycaps to prevent debris from entering the butterfly mechanism. Be careful not to tear the membrane. A torn membrane will result in a top case replacement.

MacRumors has reached out to Apple for comment. No word as of yet.

Verizon Blocking older iPhone Activation’s – Only Supporting iPhone 6 and up

CompuScoop Staff July 18, 2018 2

Verizon is making a controversial change to its activation process, according to a new report from CNET. Going forward and effective immediately, the carrier says it will no longer activate phones that do not operate on the 4G network with VoLTE capabilities.

In a statement, Verizon explains that this move is part of its efforts to transition away from its older 3G CDMA network and focus more on 4G LTE and the its future 5G technology.

“For several years we’ve been publicly saying that our 3G CDMA network will remain available through the end of 2019. Virtually all traffic on our network is on our 4G LTE network.

“To facilitate a smooth transition to 4G LTE capable products and services, we are no longer allowing devices that are not 4G LTE capable with VoLTE to be activated on our network.”

This move by Verizon will obviously not affect users with the latest iPhone models, but it does throw a wrench in the plans of those who purchase older iPhone models as first-time devices for kids or those looking to buy on a budget. This is further complicated by the fact that the iPhone 5s — still a supported device by Apple — runs the current iOS 11 software and will run iOS 12 when it is released later this year.

Source: 9to5Mac.com