This week’s top stories: iPhone 7 leaks, AAPL Q2 earnings, Apple Music releases, new apps & more

There was lots of news for Apple this week with the company’s Q2 2016 earnings representing some notable declines across the board despite reporting $50.6 billion in revenue and $10.5 billion in profit. But readers were more interested in the latest rumors and expectations for the upcoming iPhone 7 and Apple Watch 2, as well as some new “exclusive” Apple Music and iTunes releases and this week’s new apps and updates.

Head below for all the handy links to this week’s top stories and more.

AAPL |

We start off with Apple’s Q2 2016 earnings report. Apple did offer up some positives in light of its declines for iOS device sales and notable drops in emerging Asian markets that were previously areas of growth for the company. Of note, Apple is now at 13 million Apple Music subscribers, and it also highlighted record Android switchers in recent months, Apple Pay growth, and more during its earnings call.

But the top story this week was news of an unfortunate incident at the company’s main Cupertino campus after an employee was found dead in a conference room. An investigation by authorities later confirmed the death as a suicide, and Apple issued a statement offering condolences to the employee’s family.

• Apple announces Q2 2016 revenue of $50.6b: 51.1m iPhones, 10.2m iPads, 4m Macs
• Apple Q2: 13m Apple Music subs, record Android switchers, Apple Pay growth...
• Police investigating death in conference room at Apple’s Cupertino Campus
• Billionaire AAPL investor Carl Icahn says he’s totally out of the stock
• Apple slowing down recruiting efforts as it dismisses over 100 recruiters…
• Ground-level video takes us for a walk through Apple’s Campus 2

iPhone | iPad

Next we move on to top iPhone news. The top story: the latest rumors for the iPhone 7 with claims of leaked schematics showing a dual camera & Smart Connector as well as the rumored removal of the headphone jack.

• iPhone 7 ‘Pro’ schematics show up in Japanese mag w/ dual camera & Smart Connector…
• KGI: iPhone sales in 2016 could be lower than 2014 as iPhone 7 has no ’attractive’ updates
• Rumor says iPhone 7 could feature flush touch-sensitive Home button, waterproof & dustproof
• Opinion: Where does the rumored iPhone 7 ‘Pro’ fit in the overall iPhone lineup?
• Apple releases third iOS 9.3.2 beta for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to developers
• Apple releases Safari Technology Preview 3, iOS 9.3.2 public beta 3 & OS X 10.11.5 dev beta 3
• After retail store launch, Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program is now available online

Apple Watch |

Head below for the rest of this week’s top stories with the latest on Apple Watch 2 & Mac, new iTunes and Apple Music releases, and this week’s app releases and top videos:

• Report: Faster Apple Watch 2 may feature built-in cellular connectivity [Poll]
• Opinion: Window on Apple Watch has closed, wait for Apple Watch 2
• Opinion: Cellular Apple Watch in time, sure, but these issues need love too

iTunes/Apple Music |

• Beyonce’s ‘Tidal exclusive’ album, Lemonade, now available on iTunes to download
• Streaming of Drake’s new ‘Views’ album exclusive to Apple Music, available for download on iTunes

Mac |

• Opinion: Apple’s MacBook lineup has a storage problem
• Teardown shows new Apple’s 12-inch MacBook adds tamper-evident screws…
• Apple releases Safari Technology Preview 3, iOS 9.3.2 public beta 3 & OS X 10.11.5 dev beta 3

Apps |

• Apple’s CareKit has launched, four apps available today, more will follow
• Instagram is quietly testing a major visual overhaul of its iOS app
• Microsoft releases Word Flow keyboard for iPhone with one-handed mode…
• Microsoft introducing Skype for Business Mac Preview w/ Outlook calendar integration
• Dropbox Project Infinite will show all your cloud files in the Finder …
• Philips releases dramatically improved Hue mobile app to control connected lights
• Nintendo teases more iPhone games coming later this year, including Animal Crossing…

Reviews |

• Logitech’s Smart Connector-equipped charging dock for iPad Pro
• The Dux for iPad Pro is a lightweight, rugged case with a handy Apple Pencil holder
• SanDisk’s new Lightning to USB drive for iPhone adds USB 3 & a wraparound design
• Aura PCIe flash storage lets you upgrade the storage capacity of Mid-2013 & later Macs
• Griffin’s BreakSafe is the magnetic USB-C connection the 12-inch MacBook needs
• Aukey EP-B20 Bluetooth Headset – inexpensive, but worth it?
• Kito+, the iPhone case that doubles as a portable ECG machine and more

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7pcHG40KRs]

This week’s top video |

• Does a standing desk really make a difference? Hands-on with the UpDesk PowerUp
• Ground-level video takes us for a walk through Apple’s Campus 2
• How-To: Disable or delete custom services in OS X [Video]
• How-To: Quickly resize images on OS X using a Service with Automator