techyteeky

Apple iPad Pro: Release Date, Specs, Price, Rumours - Everything

2013-12-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

A mock-up of what the iPad Pro could look like, next to the smaller iPad 4 and iPad mini.

Expected Key Features:

12.9in screen with 4K resolution
Priced between iPad Air and MacBook Air
2014 release date

Introduction

As soon as Apple named its latest iPad the Air, it was immediately obvious a Pro model would soon join the lineup. Following in the footsteps of the company's

MacBook lineup, a larger, more powerful and more expensive Pro model would fit neatly above the current Air and mini.

Add this logic to an increasing mass of rumours claiming Apple is working on tablets larger than the 9.7in iPad Air, and a Pro being released in 2014 seems a foregone conclusion.

Apple iPad Pro: Design

We're yet to see any leaked photos of the iPad Pro, but you'd be brave to bet against Apple adopting a similar style for the Pro as it has for the Air and mini. This means glass on the front, aluminium on the back, and a chrome chamfered edge around the sides.

Given the new Air mimics the mini's narrower screen bezels, we'd expect the Pro to get a similar treatment, but its extra size and a focus on work rather than play could negate the need for making portability the device's forte.

If portability isn't as crucial to the iPad Pro as it is to the two smaller models - and work is very much on the agenda - we wonder if Apple will give the larger tablet an integrated stand, similar to that of the Microsoft Surface 2. Then, the Pro could be seen as Apple's entry-level work machine filling the gap between tablet and computer.

Apple iPad Pro: Screen

Stepping away from the realms of pure speculation, various sources familiar with the company's supply chain claim Apple is experimenting with 12.9in displays for use in a tablet.

Speaking to Chinese website Pad News, the unnamed insiders claim Apple is working on prototypes with 2K and 4K screen resolutions; while the former seems unlikely given the iPad Air's resolution of 2048 x 1536, a 4K or Ultra HD iPad makes sense, as it would take Apple ahead of high-resolution rivals like the Kindle Fire HDX.

Apple's tablet for professionals could have a resolution as high as 4096 x 3072, double that of the iPad Air and producing a pixel density of 397 pixels per inch, much higher than the Air's 264ppi.

The news tallies with reports from the Wall Street Journal, which said in July that Apple is working on a new tablet measuring "slightly less than 13 inches diagonally."

This was followed in September by reports that Apple manufacturing partner Quanta Computer was helping to create a 12in iPad; the company has previously worked with Apple on its iPod range and the MacBook Air.

The iPad Pro's screen will no doubt be its defining feature, and offering a 4K Ultra HD resolution would be the PR boost Apple needs, having not updated the regular iPad's screen for almost two years.

Apple iPad Pro: Processor

A complete unknown for now, the processor Apple chooses will likely depend on the iPad Pro's operating system - will it get iOS, or will Apple bet big and bring OS X to the professional tablet?

iOS has always felt worse on the iPad than on the iPhone, and adding an extra three inches of screen space will start to make the operating system feel incredibly (and unnecessarily) spread out. Apple's earliest tablet prototypes, created before the iPhone was even considered, envisioned a touch-optimised version of Mac OS X running on a MacBook-sized tablet - a return to such a device must surely be on the minds of Apple staff.

By bringing OS X to the iPad, Apple would be firing a direct shot at Microsoft and its Surface 2, which runs the widely disliked Windows 8 RT.

Expect to see 3GB or even 4GB of RAM, and storage options somewhere between 64GB and 256GB, with a 4G option for £100 more.

Apple iPad Pro: Price

The iPad Air starts at £399, while the cheapest MacBook Air (Apple's 'budget' laptop) comes in at £849 - there's a huge gap here for a new tablet, and Apple's continuous merging of iOS and OS X points neatly towards the software it could run.

Expect prices to range from £500 to £1,000, but again this is purely speculative for now, based on Apple's current offerings.

Apple iPad Pro: Release Date

An announcement to coincide with the Mac's 30th birthday in late January would be superb timing, but at less than two months away this seems unlikely given the lack of leaks thus far.

Apple and other technology companies test and develop prototypes which never see the light of day, so news that devices with 12.9in screens are floating around Apple's factories doesn't mean a launch is imminent - but we fully expect an addition to the iPad family sometime in 2014, a claim backed up by industry sources speaking to the Korea Times in November.

iPhone 6 Rumors: New iPhone To Launch in October 2014, Smart Bezel, Lytro And NFC Technology

2013-12-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

The iPhone 6 rumors continue to fly as the latest release date set in October 2014. Apple is reported to launch both its smartwatch, iWatch and iPhone 6 by then. While Samsung launched its version of a smartwatch, Galaxy Gear in September of 2012, Apple is reportedly taking its time and working hard, trying to solve the iWatch's battery life before the company finally launches it.

A new patent was also mentioned at the iPhone 5S launch but can only be expected for the iPhone 6. This is the fingerprint sensor with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that assists in functions such as data transfers, wireless payment, media playback and more. Apple may also use sonar to replace infrared sensors in the iPhone 6. This technology will help detect where the phone is by giving an alert about an incoming object or detecting if it is held to an ear suggesting use.Apple wants to extend the battery life of iWatch from 4 to 5 days, making it three days longer than the battery life of the Galaxy Gear. Other iPhone 6 rumors include the possibility of a facial recognition technology and a curved screen, with some saying the release date will be in June 2014. While there are also speculations of a phablet-like iPhone, MacRumors noted Apple might offer a 4.8-inch Retina + IGZO screen by Sharp.

One of Apple's latest patents also indicated the iPhone 6 might have a wraparound AMOLED screen like the fourth gen iPod Nano. The patent appears to have an unrolled or unfolded screen with gesture control, layered screens for a 3D display and facial recognition. The wraparound doesn't seem hands-on as the sides would be a touchscreen that makes it impossible for the user to hold the device without pressing the side buttons.

The exciting new smart bezel is also included in the patent with reports saying it would hold flashing buttons and symbols to integrate on-screen action.

According to the patent, this involves a primary display that shows visual content and a secondary display that would work as a guide for the user to give inputs to. Eye tracking, enhanced storage of 128 GB, advanced Bluetooth, sapphire crystal and wireless technology are some other expected features in the Apple iPhone 6 or iPhone Air.

iWatch Rumoured For October 2014, Could Come With Wireless Charging

2013-12-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

We have been hearing a lot of rumours these days surrounding Apple’s own wearable technology, the iWatch. Most of the rumors claim that the watch will see a release in 2014, or to be more specific, the second half of 2014, and according to a recently rumor by Chinese website , C Technology, they are claiming that Apple’s iWatch could debut in October 2014 and will be released alongside Apple’s next-gen iPhone, which we can only assume will be the iPhone 6. The rumor claims that Apple is currently testing two iWatch prototypes of different screen sizes as they are undecided on which size would be better. The rumor goes on to state that the iWatch will sport a 100mAh battery and will apparently come with wireless charging capabilities that will allow users to charge the device from up to a 100m away! In the past we have seen Apple patents which seems to point at the Cupertino company looking into wireless charging for their products, and recent rumors have even suggested that wireless charging could make its way into Apple’s smartphones. Apple is also reportedly struggling with the battery life of the iWatch which seems to last about 1-2 days. If that is the case, Apple will undoubtedly face the same criticism as Samsung did with the Galaxy Gear whose battery life is also around a day as well. In any case take it with a grain of salt for now, but what do you guys make of it so far? Would a 1-2 day battery life be acceptable if it could be charged wirelessly? Meaning that you could still use it around the house or office as long as the wireless charger was plugged in nearby?

October 2014 Debut for iWatch

2013-12-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

Smartwatch enthusiasts looking forward to the launch of Apple’s (AAPL) long-rumored entry into the nascent market will have to wait until late next year, MacRumors notes. A Chinese technology website says that Apple has conducted trials of two smartwatch prototypes and plans to release a final product in October 2014. The iPhone-maker has not yet settled on the devices ultimate screen size. The prototypes that are being tested reportedly include wireless charging capability. The iWatch is said to feature a 100 mAh battery, which would be significantly less powerful than the 315 mAh battery found in Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch, which received decidedly mixed reviews when it debuted earlier this year. Apple has never confirmed that it is actually working on a smartwatch, though rumors have swirled about the product for more than a year, prompting other technology giants to hurry their own rival watches to the market. Other recent reports have suggested an second quarter 2014 launch for the iWatch. Those reports also indicated that Apple will release the iWatch in two sizes, possibly including a 1.7-inch screen version for men and a 1.3-inch model for women.

iPhone 6 'to be curved and launch next year'

2013-11-15T00:26:00.001-08:00

APPLE'S next smartphone will have a larger, curved screen, following in the footsteps of Samsung and LG, an unnamed insider source has told Bloomberg.

The report suggests that two new iPhone models, planned for release next year, will have 4.7 and 5.5-inch glass displays - larger than the current model. The screens will curve down at the edges, the report suggested.

Apple has declined to comment on the report.

Samsung released its Galaxy Round, which has a curved screen, soon after Apple unveiled its newest iPhone models, the 5S and 5C. A few weeks later, LG also unveiled a curved handset, the G Flex.

Curved screens are said to be more durable, more comfortable to use, and better suited to watching videos and playing games, according to Sky News. They also help to reduce screen glare in bright conditions.

However, the technology is not without its doubters. "There's no proven market for a smartphone with a curved screen," reports ZDNet. "Both companies that have released a smartphone with a curved display have limited availability to South Korea."

The website adds that if Apple were to make a curved-screen handset it "would be gambling its iPhone cash cow on a fad."

Bloomberg's source said the phones were still being developed and would probably go on sale in the third quarter of 2014.

The report also suggested that future models would react differently to heavy or light touches. This pressure-sensitive technology, being developed with a supplier, is not likely to be ready for the next iPhone release, however.

Apple Inc: 18 Coolest and Most Unusual Facts

2013-11-07T02:21:00.000-08:00

Below are 18 of the most cool and unusual facts about Apple Inc. The company began in a humble suburban garage in Los Altos, California, in 1976 and since then it has grown to be the beloved corporate juggernaut that it is. Along the way, a number of interesting, incredible, and silly things have happened. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. The very first apple computer ever built cost $666.66.

This evil number came about by adding 33% to the wholesale price of $500–not because Steve Jobs worshiped Satan. Although, it is just as hard to disprove something as it is to prove it.

2. Scientist Carl Sagan sued Apple for defamation, but lost.

In 1994 Power MacIntosh was being developed under the code name “Carl Sagan”. Sagan was not happy with this, stating that his endorsement is not for sale. The engineers on the project changed the code name to “BHA”, which meant, according the them, “Butt-Head Astronomer”. Apple’s lawyers made them change the name, so they chose “LAW”, which meant, according to them, “Lawyers Are Wimps”. Sagan took his case to the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, but was not successful.

The butt-head must’ve hired the wrong wimps.

3. Apple has the patent for ‘slide-to-unlock’.

Sliding our finger to unlock a glowing device has become a ritual for millions. Apple has turned its patent portfolio into a ravenous monster, and high-tech patent law has become a ridiculous circus in recent years. Apple sued Samsung for infringing on its slide-to-unlock patent, and for many other things as well. Apple also sued Google-owned Motorola for using the “slide-to-unlock”, even though their device used tapping instead of sliding. Apple argued, according to Judge Richard Posner, “that a tap is a zero-length swipe.”

Posner dismissed the case, saying “That’s silly. It’s like saying that a point is a zero-length line.” Philosophers and mathematicians have a special opportunity to stroke their beards over this one.

4. Fake Apple stores in China were so convincing that even their employees thought they were real.

In the Southwestern Chinese city of Kunming, 22 inauthentic Apple stores were found to be unlawfully using Apple’s brand and logo. They were discovered after an American expatriate wrote a blog post about one of the shops. According the the BBC, “Staff in the original fake shop believed they were working in a real Apple store.”

5. The top nine Apple executives make more money than 95,000 Apple factory workers in China.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, the nine-person executive leadership team received $441 million in compensation, which is about the same as 95,000 workers in the Foxcann factory where Apple products are assembled. The 2012 findings were similar. According to a Fair Labor Association report, “64.3 percent of workers thought that their salary was not sufficient to cover their basic needs” despite working an average of 56 hours per week.

Apple’s Timothy Cook made $378 million in 2011.

6. Apple’s original logo was nothing like it is now.

The first apple logo was an old-timey, black-and-white crest which featured a drawing of Isaac Newton reading a book under an apple tree, with a single glowing apple suspended in the tree above his head–a drop of inspiration. This logo was designed by forgotten Apple co-founder Ronald Wayne.

7. Apple finally beat Microsoft.

Apple Inc. grossed $65 billion in revenue in 2011, while Microsoft earned $62 billion. It was a hard-fought battle that took decades, but Apple came out on top. Who would’ve guessed?

8. Microsoft spends way more than Apple does on research.

The Microsoft budget for research is at $8.7 billion per year, while Apple’s is only $1.7 billion. And yet there’s no lineups at the Microsoft Store!

9. Apple cannot market iPhones in Brazil because another company owns the trademark.

The Brazilian telecommunications company IGM Electronica owns the brand Gradiente, which filed for exclusive rights to the name “iPhone” in 2000, before Apple had produced its iPhone. It took seven years but eventually the rights were granted, and the G-Gradiente iPhone was launched in 2007.

The Gradiente iPhone runs on Android, not the Mac operating system.

10. Steve Jobs eliminated all corporate charity programs in 1997.

After resuming control of the company, Steve Jobs nixed all philanthropic initiatives by Apple Inc. Bill Gates, on the other hand, is known for giving so much of his wealth to charity. To Jobs’ credit, he later signed Apple Inc. up for the Project Red program which made them the largest contributor to the Global Fund’s fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

11. Steve Wozniak gave 80,000 of his own Apple shares to employees who would not otherwise have gotten any after the IPO.

Wozniak is often considered the conscience of Apple Inc. When the company was heating up, he felt that many employees received unfair portions of stock. To make up for this, Wozniak unloaded 80,000 of his own Apple shares at a price that was more than fair. Today these are worth billions, of course.

12. Apple had a third co-founder, Ronald Wayne, who sold his shares for $800 in 1977.

When Apple was incorporated, Wayne sold his shares back to Jobs and Wozniak for $800. His 10% of Apple would be worth somewhere around $35 billion today. According to Apple Confidential, Wayne stated: “I have never had the slightest pangs of regret, because I made the best decision with the information available to me at the time. My contribution was not so great that I felt I had been diddled with in any way.”

What austerity and sincerity. An icon of true greatness: the man who cannot be diddled with.

13. Smoking near an Apple computer may void its warranty.

Apple users have claimed that their Applecare warranties were voided due to secondhand smoke, according to Consumerist, even though smoke damage is not mentioned specifically in the Applecare contract.

Apparently, nicotine is considered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administraion to be a hazardous substance, so Apple employees are not required to repair anything deemed hazardous to their health–including computers that have been smoked upon.

14. Apple’s Siri keeps your data for two years.

According to Wired, everything you’ve whispered into your Siri application is stored for two years. For the first six months the data is associated with your account; it then becomes dissociated from you but is stored for another 18 months for product testing and development.

Oh yeah, Apple Inc. can also track wherever your devices are at all times, to always know where you are and where you’ve been.

15. Apple once had more cash in the bank than the US Treasury had money to spend.

According the Financial Post, Apple Inc. grew richer than Uncle Sam, having more cash on hand than the entire U.S. had spending room. This was due to the debt ceiling crisis of July 2011. Apple Inc. boasted cash reserves of $75.88 billion while Washington had an operating balance of $73.77 billion. A major difference, however, is that Apple’s figure refers to its reserve of cash, the government’s value is the amount of spending room it has before reaching an arbitrary debt ceiling.

16. Apple now has the highest market value of any private company in the world.

Apple Inc. is sitting at $416.6 billion. Exxon-Mobile is second at $400.4 billion.

17. Apple Corps, a company founded by The Beatles, was engaged in a legal battle with Apple Inc. over trademark rights for 28 years.

In 1981, they reached a settlement: Apple would not to enter the music business, and Apple Corps would not to enter the computer business. When Apple added MIDI audio-recording capabilities to its computers, Apple Corps sued them again, claiming violation of their earlier agreement. This was devastating to then Apple Computer.

When iTunes exploded in the 2000s, Apple Corps again contended they were violating a previous agreement. It wasn’t until 2010 that Beatles songs were available on iTunes.

18. Apple puts new employees on fake projects to see if they can be trusted

According to Inside Apple by Adam Lashinky, new employees at Apple are put through a rigorous testing period to evaluate their trustworthiness. New hires have even been tasked with developing fake products during this probationary period. I wonder how that iHammer is coming along?

Thank you for reading the top 18 cool and unusual facts about Apple Inc.

What`s Apple hiding in its shelf for 2014?

2013-10-25T16:37:00.001-07:00

Apple 2013 product line up is mere hardware and software bump from previous models except for the 64bit desktop class A7 processor. Why do they wait for long one+ year?
What are they planning ahead?
What's waiting in their shelves?
Why does they want to release a 64bit desktop class A7 processor in all their products except iPhone 5C?
Why is Mavericks free?
Why is their productivity apps became free on both iOS and OSX?

Apple is a perfectionist will wait until a technology is mature enough and should enhance user experience. Did Apple found a way to combine iOS and OSX into one operating system which might be Apple OS? There are lots of possibilities. Use of 64bit in iPhone 5S, iPad Air, iPad Mini is Apple might want user base to test something under the hood or to attract developers to switch to 64bit apps in 2014. Mavericks is free which attracts more users to its Mac line up. So it's evident that Apple is a game changer they already did it with iPods, iPhones and iPads.

2014 Will be the year for that mystery product it may be a iWatch, iTV, iCar or iSomething. They will definitely enter into living room but not just as a smart TV, 3D TV or a 4K TV but as an iTV.
iPhone 6 Will be the biggest makeover to iPhone since iPhone.

As a Apple enthusiast waiting to see those in near future.

What would you expect from Apple in 2014?

Please drop your comments in comment section below.

iPhone 6 with bigger screen - Strong rumors suggest Apple pushing screen size to 4.8 inches

2013-10-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

While the iPhone 5s brought along the same 4-inch Retina Display found on the iPhone 5, Apple’s next iPhone is heavily rumored to be coming with a much larger display with rumors suggesting that Apple is testing a variety of different sizes, some as large as 6-inches. A new note from an analyst though suggests that Apple may install a 4.8-inch display on an iPhone 6, a size that would put it on par with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4, Nexus 4 and HTC One.

In the months before the iPhone 5s launch, there were rumors suggesting that 2013 might be the year that Apple delivers a large screen iPhone to compete against the big screen Android devices on the market and satisfy consumers who have been looking for more screen real estate. A rumor from analyst Brian White in particular suggested that Apple might debut three different iPhones in different sizes. Of course, that rumor did not pan out and the company instead delivered two new iPhones, an iPhone 5s and an iPhone 5c, both of which tout 4-inch Retina Displays.

The release of those devices does not rule out a larger iPhone in the future however and reports suggest that Apple is still thinking about releasing an iPhone with a larger display. All signs at the moment point to next year’s iPhone 6, a numbered iPhone, coming with a large display. Recently, the company was rumored to be testing displays up to 6-inches in size and today, according to BGR, Jefferies & Co. analyst Peter Misek issued a note to investors claiming that the company would be releasing a 4.8-inch iPhone 6 next year.

Misek is a well-respected analyst and while that doesn’t mean that a 4.8-inch iPhone 6 is set in stone, it does align with what we’ve heard from other reports, a sign that Apple could very well introduce a large-screened iPhone as soon as next year. Misek doesn’t mention any other features on board the iPhone 6 though rumors have suggested that it will come with a handful of upgrades including an A8 processor.

If Apple continues with is current iPhone release cycle, we should see a ton of iPhone 6 rumors emerge over the course of 2014 with an arrival in the fall season ahead of the holidays. The iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, and iPhone 5s all arrived in the fall and it could be that Apple releases an iPhone 6 a little less than a year from now.

iPad mini 2 Release Delay Rumored Due to Retina, But Source is Suspect

2013-10-07T12:40:00.001-07:00

Frequent leaks about Apple’s next iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 tablet offerings have helped to piece together some expected features as well as a possible launch date. While the iPad 5 is expected to be unveiled later this month, a new report from Apple Insider has reinforced the prevailing thought that the iPad mini 2 may not see the light of day any time soon.
The report quotes analyst Brian White of Cantor Fitzgerald, who met several technology suppliers in China and Taiwan. During the course of his tour, White was told that “big things are expected from Apple’s fifth-generation iPad.” There was no mention of the second-generation iPad mini, though. The inference from this, according to the report, is that the mini-tablet might not be launching along with its sibling this month. The analyst has speculated that the iPad mini might come with a Retina Display using Sharp’s IGZO technology. This is contrary to earlier reports hinting at the company is sourcing the display from Samsung.

The new leak backs up what we had heard before about the iPad mini possibly pushing its debut to the next year due to supply constraints. If the device does come to the market this year with a Retina display, it will be in extremely short supply. The source, while talking about the 9.7-inch iPad, ratifies most of what we already know about the fifth-generation tablet. The new device will come with a lighter, thinner design, similar to the current iPad mini. This change is the first major redesign that the company has given to its tablet range in the last few years.
The source speculated that the new iPads are Apple’s move to capitalise on a “weakening PC market”, as the supply chain indicated to the Cantor Fitzgerald analyst that notebook sales are “soft”. Traditional PC sales are reportedly down as consumers are shifting focus to tablets instead, with “Apple’s iPad lineup carrying the lion’s share of the market.”

Apple sends invite for September 10 special event invitation Cracked. Plastic and Aluminium iPhones expected

2013-09-03T13:32:00.002-07:00

After tons of rumours, here is official confirmation from Apple that it's hosting a special event on September 10 in San Francisco, where it's expected to announce two new iPhones and the final version of iOS 7, the next iteration of its mobile OS.

The invitation contains colored circles, filled and unfilled, and says only "Let's brighten everyone's day" with the colourful new UI of iOS 7. The colored circles represent Plastic iPhone expected to be iPhone 5C in different colors. The unfilled circles represent the iPhone 5S made of Aluminium Unibody design.

So be prepared for the new iPhoneS

Rumored Apple iphone 5S A7 chipset gets rumored speed increase, motion tracking companion core, 64-bit testing

2013-08-26T04:59:00.002-07:00

If Apple keeps to past patterns, when the rumored iPhone 5S is introduced at the rumored September 10 event it will come with an update Apple A7 system-on-a-chip (SoC). The only thing I've heard about it to date is the presumed name, and that it'll focus on being more efficient and more "advanced" rather than simply being faster. Now Clayton Morris of Fox, whose had good sources before, has put some numbers to those rumors. On Twitter:

Sources are telling me the new iPhone's A7 chip is running at about 31% faster than A6. I’m hearing it’s very fast.

And what's more, it could have some form of motion tracking companion core. Also Twitter:

I’ve also heard there’s a separate chip devoted to motion tracking. Should be an interesting camera upgrade.

Meanwhile Mark Gurman has heard Apple has been testing a 64-bit architecture for the A7. 9to5Mac:

It’s unclear if 64-bit will make the cut, but it’s been in testing. We’re told that the 64-bit processing will make animations, transparencies, and other iOS 7 graphical effects appear much more smoothly than on existing iOS Devices…

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple's already excellent image signal processor (ISP) - the secret behind the iPhone's phenomenal photographic performance - gets a boost as well. One of the more interesting technical aspects will be seeing what makes it into the 2nd generation Swift - the name for Apple custom chip design, begun with the A6 in 2012 - including a potential Rogue-based PowerVR graphics processing unit (GPU).

The iPhone 5C would likely use the Apple A6 and other components currently found in the iPhone 5, though Retina-level iPads would likely need a version of A7 powerful enough to drive 2048x1536 displays. Previously that was accomplished with the anemic A5X and the far better A6X processors.

The iPhone is already fast enough for most general purpose mobile computing tasks. It's specific, specialized areas that can benefit the most now, including (and always) increasing battery life, turning out better photos, and improving interface and gaming performance. The latter of which is particularly important given thatiOS 7 essentially runs on a game-style physics and particle engine. And oh those gaussian blur filters...

Then there's just the question of how much RAM it would need, even given the high level of integration Apple products enjoy, to make it all sing?

Source: @ClaytonMorris, @ClaytonMorris, 9to5Mac, iMore

Decoding Apple's WWDC 2013 logo

2013-05-09T07:17:00.001-07:00

The typeface
Apple's WWDC 2013 logo design differs quite dramatically from previous years. First up, Apple has ditched the Apple logo, which featured in the logos for its previous two WWDC events. Additionally, Apple has used a new typeface, which looks cleaner and more modern than the Myriad font used by the company in the past.

It's been suggested that this new typeface signals the start of a "flatter design" for iOS and OS X, which is expected to be introduced under the leadership of Apple design guru Jony Ive. Ive took on software design responsibilities, in addition to his roll as head of hardware design, following an executive shakeup at Apple in October. It's thought that Ive intends to remove skeuomorphic design aspects from Apple's operating systems in favour of a more minimalist look.

Roman numerals
This year, Apple has gone for Roman numerals to detail the date (MMXIII is the roman numeral for 2013). It's an unusual move for the company, and does remind us of Samsung's use of roman numerals for its Samsung Galaxy S smartphones.

The Roman numerals are depicted as a sort of reflection of WWDC, which some here in the Macworld UK office have suggested could relate to similarities between iOS and OS X, or perhaps improved AirPlay mirroring functionality.

Several of our Twitter followers think that the Roman numerals could hint at an iWatch, which has been circling the rumour mills for a while now, following reports that Apple has a team of 100 designers working on such device. SEE: iWatch release date, rumours and leaked images

While we'd love to see Apple launch an iWatch in June, Apple CEO Tim Cook's comments that the company is working on "amazing" new products in "exciting" new categories ready for release in Autumn and throughout 2014 suggest that we won't be seeing a venture into a new market from Apple until later this year, at the earliest.

The shape
Aside from the typography, the shape of Apple's WWDC 2013 logo is also interesting.

The shape of the logo is familiar, with the rounded square resembling iOS icons. We already know that iOS 7 is likely to make an appearance at WWDC this year, so this could be an indication that we'll be seeing some new iOS functionality.

It's expected that iOS 7 could see a complete user interface redesign, and reports have suggested that Apple may also launch a 'killer app' in the form of an 'iRadio' music streaming service, or perhaps a mobile payment system with the iOS update.

The shape is also shared by the Mac mini and Apple TV, so we could be in for an update of one or both of those Apple products.

The colours
When it comes to the variety of colours shown in the logo, it's been suggested that this could be a hint at the introduction of new colour options for the next-generation iPhone, dubbed iPhone 5S or iPhone 6. The colours shown in the logo are various shades of green, orange, blue, yellow, purple and red.

Earlier this year, Topeka Capital analyst Brian White wrote in a research note that "checks are pointing to more choices on the way with the next iPhone," including more colour options. "By providing customers with greater choices with the same high quality and performance of the iPhone, be believe Apple has the potential to further expand its market share in the rapidly expanding smartphone world," he said.

The latest generation of iPod touch introduced several new colours for the first time, expanding on the black and white versions previously offered, so Apple could extend these colour choices to its other products, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPad mini.

Additional thoughts
Creative Bloq suggests that the use of semi-transparent rounded suqares could relate to a new feature in the iOS interface, while Architosh thinks it might suggest 3D technology.

Of course, there is always the possibility that Apple isn't hiding any clues in its WWDC 2013 logo at all, but it wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun if we thought about it that way, would it?

The tickets for WWDC sold out within two minutes. Some developers who were unsuccessful in purchasing a ticket (which will cost you £1,050) have reported that they've been contacted by Apple with the offer of a second chance to get their hands on one.

Sharp To Start Making Apple iPhone5S LCD In June

2013-05-09T07:10:00.003-07:00

The capacity of Kameyama plant has not been fully utilized because of the decline in the LCD business of Sharp. The plant has used only 40 percent of its total capacity of 600 million units per month.

The declining revenues of Sharp Corporation have been a high concern, and the company has taken the investments from companies like Apple Inc. suppliers Foxconn and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung is the largest foreign stakeholder in Sharp.

Not only Sharp but a company in Japan, Japan Display, which is the combined display division of Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba and LG Display has also garnered orders for mass production of the display screens. LG Display is the worlds largest LCD panel maker based in Seoul.The display of the next generation phone from Apple Inc. will be identical to that of the earlier iPhone. The new features will have a fingerprint sensor, faster A7 SoC and the phone will run on iOS 7 mobile operating system. In April, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that there can be delays in the launch of the iPhone 5S due to various hurdles coming up in implementation of the fingerprint sensors along with delay in iOS development.

The iPhone 5S is said to be a low priced phone, which would be available for the larger segment. The phone will be available in various colors with enhanced camera and processor.

128 GB iPads now on sale at Apple online store

2013-02-05T05:38:00.004-08:00

Apple's new 128 GB iPads are now on sale at Apple's online store. The new iPads were

and mark the first time users can buy an iPad over 64 GB in size.

The new 128 GB models begin at US$799 for the Wi-Fi version.

The Wi-Fi + Cellular version will set you back $929.

Currently Apple is showing a 1 to 3 day ship time for the Wi-Fi model and 3 to 5 day

ship time for the Sprint and Verizon Wi-Fi + Cellular models. The AT&T Wi-Fi + Cellular

model is listed as shipping in 1 to 3 days.

Apple iPhone 6: Rumours swirl about mid-year launch?

2013-02-04T08:51:00.001-08:00

The US technology giant Apple Inc . is reported to have started preliminary builds of the next iPhone, dubbed iPhone 6 or iPhone 5S. The new iPhone is likely to be launched in June or July, said a report.

The report on macworld.com.au said: "Apple is currently testing two new iPhone prototypes, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek told investors in a note this week. One of the prototypes is the 'iPhone 5S', said Misek, while the other is likely to be the widely speculated cheaper iPhone."

The analyst has reportedly predicted that the next iPhone will be 0.8 inches bigger than the iPhone 5 's at 4.8 inches diagonally, adding "Similar to the iPad mini, we expect a concentrated low-cost iPhone rather than a 'cheap' one. Likely specs: polycarbonate case with 4in non-Retina display and no LTE."

Recently, Apple overtook Samsung to become the largest mobile phone vendor in the US in the fourth quarter of 2012.

In its latest report, research firm Strategy Analytics estimated that Apple shipped 17.7 million mobile phones in the US for a record 34 percent share of the market in the fourth quarter of 2012, making the tech giant the No.1 mobile phone vendor by volume in the US for the first time ever.

Samsung, Apple's arch-rival, shipped 16.8 million handsets for a 32 percent market share in the country, reported Xinhua.

The report said Apple's success has been driven by its popular ecosystem of iPhones and App Store, generous carrier subsidies and extensive marketing around the new iPhone 5 model.

However, Apple's hard-won victory is expected to be short-lived. Samsung had been the No.1 mobile phone vendor in the US since 2008 and it will surely be keen to recapture the title this year by launching improved new models such as the rumored Galaxy S4, Strategy Analytics said.

Meanwhile, the report pointed out that despite a solid fourth-quarter performance, the US mobile phone market had contracted for the first three quarters of 2012, making annual mobile phone shipments fall by 11 percent in 2012 from the year of 2011.

Earlier the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple had halved its orders for the iPhone 5. The report led Apple's share price to dip below $500 per share on Monday, but some suggest that the WSJ report was flawed, and that there may have been some stock manipulation involved.

Prominent Apple developer on why a 4.94-inch 'iPhone Plus' makes sense

2013-02-01T01:43:00.000-08:00

Big screen phones have become wildly popular over the last couple of years. The likes of Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One X started the trend with displays around the 4-inch mark, and Samsung pushed the envelope further with the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Note II, with screens in the 5-inch territory. Other manufacturers have followed suit, and many have cited screen size as a big reason for picking Android-powered phones over the iPhone.

Apple responded to clamouring for a bigger iPhone with what seemed like a half-hearted attempt of increasing the screen size with the iPhone 5. While the phone has gone on to become the best-selling iPhone till date, it hasn't quite managed to stop the exodus of people moving away looking for large screen phones. It is clear Apple needs an even-bigger sized phone to cater to the demands of an ever-growing segment, and if a prominent Apple developer is to be believed, Apple recognises this demand and is likely working on an answer in the form of 'iPhone Plus'.

Marco Arment, creator of Instapaper and a prominent voice in the Apple developer community, has penned his thoughts on the subject and come to the conclusion that a 4.94-inch iPhone Plus with 16:9 aspect ratio makes a lot of sense. Arment further states that the screen will likely have a 640×1136 resolution, and a pixel density of 264ppi.

Arment goes on to the state that the said iPhone Plus will not replace the existing iPhone, instead will lineup alongside the iPhone 5 as an additional option for buyers.

Now, new Apple app that would turn 'every stranger into ATM'

2013-02-01T01:36:00.000-08:00

Apple is said to be working on a new app that lets you use nearby strangers as mobile ATMs.
According to a report, the idea for what Apple calls an 'ad-hoc cash-dispensing network', is that you launch the app and tap in how much you need.
The software uses your location details and broadcasts your request so that everyone else with the app in the vicinity is notified of your predicament.
When someone agrees to stump up the money, you are told their location, and go and pick up your cash.
Other iterations of the idea include a map in which would-be bankers are indicated with either a star to say they have accepted your request, a question mark to say that they haven't or a cross to say they have declined, the report said.
Once you've met your creditor, you confirm on your iPhone that the transfer has taken place and your iTunes account is debited, it added.
The incentive for the person who helped you is that a small service charge is taken from your account and credited to theirs, as well as the cash that you have taken.
According to the report, Apple will also take a little slice of the service charge for hooking the two of you up.
The patent describes a scenario in which 50 dollars is transferred between two parties.
Apple snaffles 5 dollars as a service fee, while the person who provided the cash nets 3 dollars.

Apple Rumors: Updated Apple TV Coming Soon

2013-01-31T03:29:00.000-08:00

Documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reveal that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is readying a re-designed version of its Apple TV media streaming device, TechCrunch notes. The updated device features a faster processor and somewhat smaller exterior casing. Apple recently released a software update for the Apple TV which gave the device the ability to stream music from Cloud-based iTunes storage and the ability to connect with Bluetooth keyboards. Given the FCC filing, the updated Apple TV will likely hit store shelves within weeks.

No Copycats: Apple, which has attracted some criticism for pursuing a wide-array of patent infringement lawsuits against rival mobile devices makers, has now trademarked the design of its chain of retail stores, ZDNet notes. Apple had first applied for a trademark on its store designs in 2010. Last week, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office granted the application. With the trademark, Apple can prevent other retailers from reproducing retail layouts that possess “a clear glass storefront surrounded by a panelled facade” and “oblong table with stools… set below video screens flush mounted on the back wall.” In recent years, Chinese authorities closed a number of fake Apple Stores that looked sufficiently like real thing that they fooled consumers.
Disguised: Chinese media sources indicate that Apple’s new three-building complex in Shanghai is not a research and development center, AppleInsider notes. According to sources, Apple is recruiting senior supply chain managers to work at the facility, suggesting that the company plans to use the complex as a hub to coordinate shipments from its Southeast Asian suppliers. Previous media accounts had indicated that the center would be dedicated to research and development. Apple products are typically designed at its California facilities and produced by Asian manufacturing partners. The company has experienced supply constraints over the past year as some of its overseas suppliers encountered production problems with its latest generation of super-slim devices, including the iPhone 5, iPad Mini and new iMacs.

Apple introduces new Search API in Map Kit

2013-01-31T02:15:00.001-08:00

Apple has introduced a new search API that allows developers to offer map-based addresses (location) and points of interest (POI) through Apple's maps servers, within their own apps. The API is available through Apple's Map Kit Framework. This essentially means that developers will be able to build local search apps around Apple's maps.Apple joins the league of Google which offers a similar Google Places API to developers. Other notable players offering similar APIs are OpenStreetMaps and Foursquare. Before iOS 6, Google maps were the default set of maps for the iOS platform, so developers could easily integrate the Google Places API in their apps for returning location and point-of-interest search results. It's noteworthy that Google's Places API can only be used in conjunction with Google's Map tiles. This changed after iOS 6 when Apple introduced its own maps and developers could no longer use the Google Places API, and had to rely on other providers.
It looks like Apple wanted to make its location and mapping solutions feature complete so that developers did not have to look for other options while building apps for the platform. Both Google and Nokia offer richer location and mapping solutions compared to Apple, at this point in time. But with the move, Apple gets a chance to generate developer interest, as its maps evolve over time. Apple's maps have been panned for inaccuracies and lack of data, but when it does expand and iron out these deficiencies, it will have more developer mindshare, following this move.

This Is How Many Apps, Songs, Videos, Photos & Games You Can Fit On A 128GB iPad

2013-01-30T07:17:00.004-08:00

When it’s released, the new 128GB will be the highest capacity yet, but what does it mean in practical terms? How many games, apps, photos, songs, and videos will the new 128GB iPad store?
We did the math. Here’s what you can fit on your new 128GB iPad.

Here’s a table breaking down, on average, how many media files you’ll be able to fit on each of the fourth-gen iPads.

	Average Size (MB)	16GB iPad	32GB iPad	64GB iPad	128GB iPad
Photos	2.3	7,123	14,247	28,494	56,998
Songs	7.032	2,339	4,660	9,320	18,639
Apps	23	712	1,425	2,849	5,699
Games	60	273	546	1092	2,185
SD Video	1,536	11	21	43	85
HD Video	4,096	4	8	16	32

A word of explanation on these figures. First of all, the average file sizes are taken from a number of sources, all of which are linked. Second, the capacities of these iPads do not take into account the space the iOS operating system takes up on disk.
Even so, as you can see, the 128GB iPad can fit an absolutely astonishing amount of media: up to 64 hours of 1080p HD video, enough music to listen to for almost 40 days straight, over two thousand games and almost six thousand apps, and enough photos to open your own Getty.
The funniest thing about these numbers? Even so, there are going to be people for whom 128GB isn’t enough.

Source: Cult of Mac

Leaked photos show iPad 5

2013-01-30T04:33:00.003-08:00

Photos of a prototype back piece for the fifth-generation iPad have been leaked by a “purported China-based iPad accessories maker,” according to a new report. The photos show a smaller, thinner casing with chamfered edges and virtually no left or right bezel, confirming our exclusive report from last week.
The top of the backplate indicates that this is an LTE model. Our sources have said the fifth-generation iPad will launch in or near October.
sdf

Sprint confirms they'll be carrying the 128GB iPad 4

2013-01-30T02:20:00.002-08:00

Sprint has confirmed that they will indeed be offering the recently announced 128GB variant of the iPad 4. This also leads us to assume other carriers will follow suit.
Fared Adib, senior vice president of Product Development at Sprint confirmed they'd be carrying the 128GB model today:

"Sprint is delighted to confirm that we will be offering our customers additional iPad options with the new 128GB iPad with Retina display."

As iPads become everyday devices for a lot of people, sometimes even replacing desktop computers and laptops, more storage capacity options are always welcome. The 128GB capacity iPad 4 will be available for purchase on February 5th.
Anyone out there readying their money to pick up the larger capacity?

Would You Buy $800, 128-GB iPad?

2013-01-30T01:56:00.000-08:00

For those who feel that 64 GB of storage in their iPad isn't enough, there's good news. A new SKU has appeared that suggests a higher-capacity model is on the way, according to 9to5Mac. Rather than an entirely new iPad, this new SKU points to a variation of the fourth-generation iPad.
9to5Mac's source says the new iPad will be available in both black and white, in both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi+cellular versions, and will be offered to educational institutions and governments in packs of 10.

More Hardware Insights

The current fourth-gen iPad is available in capacities of 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB. Apple's SKUs refer to these different storage capacities with descriptions of "good," "better" and "best." The new SKU is described as being "ultimate," which points to a capacity of 128 GB.
The report is corroborated by evidence found in the latest iOS 6.1 beta. References in iOS 6.1 have also suggested that a 128 GB model iPad is on the way. A higher-capacity iPad has also been referenced in iTunes 11.

Pricing for the new model will fall in line with Apple's current scheme. The Wi-Fi only version of the 128 GB model will cost $799. Adding cellular radios will push the price to a painful $929 -- which is just $70 cheaper than Apple's 11-inch MacBook Air.
Apple has not announced plans for such a tablet, nor has it confirmed 9to5Mac's report.
Given the relatively inexpensive access to cloud storage services, the usefulness of such a high-capacity iPad is questionable. Speaking personally, I stick with a maximum storage capacity of 32 GB in my devices. With 32 GB I have plenty of room for apps (even those bigger than 1 GB, such as Infinity Blade 2), as well as a good supply of photos, music and a handful of HD movies. Considering that the entry-level iPad starts at $499, adding such a massive amount of storage and a cellular radio nearly doubles the price. I can't think of a competing tablet that offers 128 GB of storage, though some include support for microSD cards in addition to built-in storage.

What do you think? Is 128 GB a necessary option? Is it too much? Or is the pricing enough of a roadblock for people? Please comment below

300m iPhones, iPads and iPods running iOS 6

2013-01-30T01:37:00.000-08:00

People queuing to buy the new iPhone 5 in October. Apple sold 76m devices running iOS6 in the past three months. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Apple says that nearly 300 million iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches are now running its iOS 6 software released in September - possibly helped by the release in mid-December by Google of its Maps app, after Apple replaced it with its own implementation.
The announcement came as it released iOS 6.1, its third update to the software since its launch in September.
The figure means that a majority of iOS devices are now running the newest version - a fact that Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller was quick to point up, saying in a statement that it "may be the most popular new version of an OS in history".
Chief executive Tim Cook said in October 2012 that there were 200m devices running iOS 6, and then during Apple's most recent quarterly earnings said the company had sold a total of 500m iOS devices since 2007. That suggests a substantial majority of the iOS devices still in use are running the newest version of the software. Every iOS device sold since 2009 except the original iPad, which lacks sufficient RAM, can run iOS 6.
With Apple having sold a total of 47.8m iPhones and 22.9m iPads, as well as about 6m iPod Touches during the fourth quarter of the year - totalling 76.7m devices with iOS6 pre-installed - the new figure suggests that existing owners of older devices are still moving to iOS 6, despite the concerns that have been expressed about the quality of Apple's Maps, seen by some as a key reason to hold back.
The growing proportion will be a relief for Apple, which dumped Google as its maps partner after the two sides could not agree on data and revenue sharing from the app, for which the search giant had been used on the iPhone since its inception in 2007.
It suggests that existing users with older devices are willing to upgrade to get new services - which is crucial to Apple's strategy of retaining customers by locking them in to its app store and services. Two of those are its Photo Stream (photo uploading to the cloud) and iMessage service, an iOS-only equivalent to RIM's BlackBerry Messenger (BBM): Schiller said that "iOS users have uploaded over nine billion photos to Photo Stream [and] sent over 450 billion iMessages."
The number of users of iMessage, introduced with iOS 5 in October 2011, could now be as many as 400m, far exceeding the number of BBM users, where RIM's worldwide user base fell by 1m during its last financial quarter to 79m.
Although Apple's maps implementation brings turn-by-turn navigation and vector graphics which require less data to download - putting it at feature parity with Google's Android, which had had those features in the newest version of its OS since January 2011 - users complained about misplaced airfields, misnamed towns and incorrect landmarks.
The arrival of Google's own Maps app for iOS 6 in December may have been an important step encouraging users to upgrade: according to the ad network MoPub, the release on 13 December of the app saw the number of users running iOS 6 increase by a third soon afterwards.

Google said that the Maps app, which brought its own routing and Street View offerings to a separate app which works on both iOS 5 and iOS 6, was downloaded more than 10m times in the 48 hours after its launch. It has not released any further download figures, nor any that would indicate which version of iOS the downloads are being used on.
Apple has pledged to improve the quality of its Maps app.
• iOS 6.1 brings compatibility with a larger number of 4G/LTE carriers around the world, as well as the ability to buy film tickets in the US via Fandango, individual song downloads via iCloud and a new button to reset the advertising identifier - found in Settings –> General –> About –> Advertising - which deletes any cookies and effectively makes the user look like a brand new visitor to any site.
• Apple has launched a 128GB version of the iPad 4, costing £639 inc VAT for the Wi-Fi model and £739 inc VAT for the 4G/Wi-Fi version. The pricing and capacity may mean it is aimed at businesses: the press release accompanying the release quotes three businesses which require large amounts of onboard storage, for AutoCAD files, high-resolution music files and the developer of an app for American football teams.

128GB iPad how much really costs

2013-01-29T13:24:00.002-08:00

Apple's long been at the top of the heap when it comes to making money on one key aspect of its portable devices: storage.
That trend continued with this morning's announcement of a 128GB model of the iPad, a device that costs just a steak dinner short of a full-blown Mac notebook.
The new models ring in at $799 for the Wi-Fi only, or $929 for the version with 4G LTE connectivity. That's $100 more than the 64GB model, which is $100 more than the 32GB model, which is -- you guessed it -- $100 more than the 16GB iPad. The end result is that Apple can make a healthy profit on those buying the top-of-the-line model, with nearly all of it coming from the storage.
The timing on the new model is no accident. NAND flash, which is what Apple uses in the iPad, costs far, far less than what it did a year ago, says IHS' Andrew Rassweiler.
"Apple's cost per GB in NAND flash is currently around $0.55/GB. Last year it was closer to $0.90/GB," Rassweiler said in an e-mail to CNET. "So it's clear that pricing has eroded to the point that Apple can afford to offer 2X memory configurations while maintaining the kind of incremental profit margins they were making on the memory upgrades a year ago."
That means Apple's spending about $35.20 more for an upgrade that it's charging buyers $100 for, Rassweiler says. And that's on top of what people are already spending over the two other storage upgrades from the base model.
The new model comes as analysts are watching Apple's margins closer than ever, with fears that the iPhone, iPad, and Mac maker is losing its touch when it comes to maintaining high margins on its products. That's been especially true with iPads, with Apple's newer, less-expensive iPad Mini bringing in less profit per device than its bigger brother.
So will this new, high-end iPad fix that? Not necessarily. In announcing the product this morning, Apple was keen to note that this device is good for "enterprises, educators and artists," as opposed to the standard consumer. That's a lucrative group to sell to, but far removed from the millions snapping up the entry-level model.