Save the Date for iPhone 6, “Yo” for a Smartwatch

It’s official—Apple’s iPhone 6 event is scheduled for September

In two weeks, we’ll know a lot more about the future of the iPhone. Apple has sent cryptic invitations to news outlets and reporters with the caption “Wish we could say more” for an event on September 9. The company has introduced nearly all of its landmark products at similar fall events over the years, including all of its iPods, every iPad since the third generation, and every iPhone since the 4s in 2011. Gearing up for what is expected to be a massive holiday quarter, Apple is also expected to debut its long-rumored wearable product this fall—perhaps the “iWatch” will turn out to be the “more” Apple wishes they could tell us about.

Hello, Mo-Yo? Motorola gives away Moto 360s via Yo

Motorola’s forthcoming Android Wear smartwatch, the Moto 360, was promoted over the Yo messaging app this week. Motorola fans could send a “Yo” to the company and receive a promotional link shortly thereafter. The Moto 360 has been teased across several media since the announcement of Android Wear this spring, and holds the distinction of being the first Wear product announced with a circular display. While Yo may seem a curious promotional tool for the hotly-anticipated device, the 20 lucky smartwatch aficionados who are set to receive the prize are sure to treat their future “Yo”s with a little more reverence.

Anything can be an iBeacon with “nearables”

A new product from Estimote will allow smartphone users to track any object in their life with iBeacon. While Apple’s new proximity-sensor specification has seen widespread interest from the retail and entertainment sectors, new adhesive sensors called “Stickers” will bring the same location awareness to users’ homes. Thanks to millions of research and development dollars to create these cutting-edge location technologies, these little polygons might make finding your car keys a little bit easier.

California law requires smartphone “kill switches”

Similar to the “Activation Lock” feature introduced in iOS 7, California law now requires all smartphones to feature a “kill switch” intended to support user privacy and deter theft. Major cities like New York and London have already seen a downturn in smartphone theft just as a result of Apple’s Activation Lock, so any further steps in this direction will be a win against crime and a win for user privacy. According to Punchkick CEO Zak Dabbas:

“The smartphone industry is reaching the point that users can begin demanding protective features like this. A palpable shift that once dictated how supply met demand is now reversed—and the kill switch, led by popular demand, is leading this change.”

How will Material Design impact your design project?

In case you missed it—our report about the future of Android design made the rounds on Google+ today, including a comment from Google’s VP of Design, Matías Duarte.