What's happening?
Brian Tong here and welcome to the Applebyte for everything good and bad inside the world of Apple, and yes, we have a bad apple this week.
Now on to the show and the big news comes directly from Apple.
In response to a business insider report that claimed Apple is planning on launch their own mobile virtual network operator service, or MVNO for short.
And said that Apple branded cellular carrier with targeting to launch both in the US and Europe.
Well, the big A responded with a flat out denial and said that it has not discussed and is not planning to become its own cellular carrier.
So, if Apple denied it then it must be true.
All right, Apple rarely ever, pretty much never responds directly to rumors, but they did this time to squash the chatter.
Now I was immediately enamored by the initial report because just imagine if they leased enough cell coverage from all the different carriers and using their own universal SIM card, your phone can then switch out to the service with the best signal depending on where you are.
It sounds too good to be true and for now, according to Apple, it is.
Also, we're hot on the heels of the iPhone success and you know how you know this?
Leaked images galore of production parts.
MacFixIt shared pictures of what's believed to be the display assembly, and one of the photos features a quality control label showing a pass date of July 29th, perfect timing for a September launch.
Chinese repair company GeekBar shared three of its own super spy pics, with that grit that makes them look more sneaky, and U.S.
Twitch Tech showed off what's believed to be the rendered schematics Featuring a design .2 millimeters thicker than the current iPhone, in anticipation for the rumored Force Touch panel coming to the iPhone 6S.
Now Business Insider reports Apple's also testing a voicemail service that will allow Siri to answer your calls and transcribe your messages.
Now how many of you still have plenty of voicemails you've never listened to Me right here.
Well with this iCloud voicemail service you may never have to listen to voicemail ever again and I love it.
Now Apple employees are still testing it out and it's expected to launch in 2016 with iOS 10.
And this is just one of those super cool Apple's working on to get things right But how about completely screwing up with their latest back to school promo?
In the past with an educational discount on hardware for back to school, Apple has offered cash back to customers, then over time changed it to an iTunes or Apple store gift card.
But now, in the year 2015, the back to school promo when you buy a new computer Is an instant $199 credit for a pair of Beats Solo 2 on your headphones.
Am I completely out of the loop, like do you all really want this?
Seriously, Apple.
Not even a store credit of As an option.
Not even a gift card that could actually be used to purchase educational apps.
Well, not in Angry Birds 2, but the best you guys could do is a pair of headphones that become an instant [UNKNOWN] commercial in your ears.
This is easily the worst back to school promo in the history of Apple.
And, you Apple buyers know what's coming.
A bad apple.
I'm sorry, I'm so worked up about this but this is horrible, it's wrong.
Okay, guys and gals let's end the show on a high note with you know, some good, warm, fuzzy, feely stories.
I'm juiced up for Dr. Dre's first album in 16 years, inspired by the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton.
The album titled Compton a soundtrack is slated for release on August the 7th, this Friday on iTunes and streaming on Apple Music.
And you know what?
It's gonna be fire.
Now, there's plenty of Apple Watch accessories on the market, but how about a watch for an Apple Watch?
Friends, This is actually real.
It's the work of California based watch maker Nico Gerard and it's just what you wanted.
A watch connected to an Apple watch all in one piece.
This makes no sense at all, but if you're interested pre-orders start and unaffordable, $9,003.00.
Their slogan "Be uncompromised" or a Absolutely idiotic.
And finally, in my favorite story of the week, The good people at George Fox University's IT department figured out what to do with all their empty iMac boxes and made the iWheel.
It's 36 empty iMac boxes.
It weighs 130 pounds and stands nearly nine feet tall.
Look at this thing.
And because it's the Internet, you know they went to town with Photoshop For example, here's the running of the iWheel or the iWheel is Right.
All right everybody that's gonna do it for this week's show.
You can always email us at theapplebyte@cnet.com or tweet me @briantong.
Thanks so much for watching.
We'll catch you all next time for another Byte of the Apple.
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