New details about how Apple’s new subscription magazine service, expected to launch inside of a revamped Apple News application, surfaced on Tuesday. Apple is expected to announce the service during a March 25 press event.

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith dug through recent beta code for Apple’s software and discovered a bit about how the Apple magazine service, which could be called Apple News Magazines, may work.

Troughton-Smith noticed that users who subscribe to the service — which may largely be based on the digital magazine platform Texture that Apple acquired last year — will likely be able to download and store magazines for offline reading. That means magazines will be available even if a Wi-Fi or cellular connection is not. Apple will alert users through a pop-up when new issues are available, too.

Troughton-Smith also said that the magazines will be “PDF-based” and found genres that include health, fitness, food, cooking, entertainment, gardening, home, lifestyle, politics, science and technology, among other topics.

The code doesn’t reveal how much Apple will charge for the all-you-can-eat magazine and news subscription. Texture, which is still live, charges $9.99 a month for access to more than 200 magazines. Apple has reportedly been interested in bundling subscription news services, too, which might raise the price. The Wall Street Journal said in February that Apple has struggled with publishers who don’t want to split 50 percent of revenues from the app.

In addition to the magazine and news services, Apple will reportedly unveil a new video service on March 25 that will include original content and is expected to launch in April.

The rumour mill has not been kind to Apple AAPL -1.16%’s so-called iPhone 11. The 2019 iPhone has been labelled as ugly, boring and out of touch, but now the story has taken a twist. New information reveals Apple is making some surprising design changes…

iPhone 11 conceptEVERYTHINGAPPLEPRO

In a new video, hugely popular YouTube giant EverythingApplePro reports the iPhone 11 will respond to touch like no other smartphone.

Working with XDA Developer’s popular sleuth Max Weinbach, EverythingApplePro has learnt the iPhone 11 does not mark the end of 3D Touch (as was feared) but instead sees the phone double down on the technology behind it. In the biggest advancement of Apple’s ‘taptic’ engine to date, EAP explains it will be expanded to cover a 3×3 grid across the new iPhone’s entire display as well as adding more precise vibrations so input response is more tactile on every part of the screen.

This will enable the new iPhone to deliver far richer physical feedback to taps and gestures and it seems ripe for integration with third-party apps, particularly games.

Building on this, EAP also explains that Apple’s 2019 iPhone display will work underwater. This would be an industry first because, while many phones are water resistant these days, their displays have to be dry to operate properly. Yes, this opens up the potential for underwater photography without a case but a far more practical application is simply reliable operation in the rain – a common scenario where every phone performs erratically right now.

Moreover, while we have seen some eye-catching (and controversial) iPhone 11 designs mooted, EAP’s discovery shows Apple is adopting common-sense strategy as well. Building on Taptic’s class-leading position is smart and simply making a smartphone operate reliably in the rain is a (long overdue) no brainer.

While Apple AAPL +0.84% seems keen to tease its biggest iPhone plans (for obvious reasons), the company will be a lot less happy that this penny-pinching decision has leaked out… 

‘Great Secret Features’ and ‘Nasty Surprises’ are my regular columns investigating the best features / biggest problems hidden behind the headlines.

Apple iPhone XI conceptCONCEPT CREATOR

Speaking to official accessory makers, acclaimed Japanese tech site Macotakara has revealed Apple will ignore recent pledges about value and once again ship all its new 2019 iPhones (dubbed ‘iPhone 11’) with cost-saving slow 5W chargers. Moreover, upgrading to new iPhones to fast chargers will remain eye-wateringly expensive.

The reason for this is a one-two punch of stubborn inactivity.

Firstly, Apple will continue to ship not only slow chargers with new iPhones but slow charging USB-A cables as well. This means owners will need to buy both the 18W charger ($30) and one-metre USB-C cable ($20 or 2m for $35!) resulting in a total outlay of $50-$65 per location.

Secondly, Macokatara says Apple has decided not switch its 2019 iPhones to USB-C (as widely expected) and will retain the Lightning port, which means the company will retain control over licensing and third-party prices. This despite both the MacBook and iPad Pro ranges switching to USB-C last year, with the latter also bundling an 18W charger.