Author

Jake Smith

Apps

Facebook launches Facebook Camera for iPhone, complete with filters and batch photo uploading

Jake Smith May 24 2012 - 10:07 am PT

Just after its proposed $1 billion acquisition of mobile photo sharing service Instagram, Facebook announced Facebook Camera for iPhone in a blog post this afternoon. The app features filters just like Instagram, and it has the ability to upload a batch of photos at once. The regular Facebook app only allows you to upload one photo at a time. Upon first opening Camera, it detects any Facebook accounts already associated with the iPhone, so you can upload photos immediately. Facebook Camera for iOS is now available on the iTunes App Store.

As you can tell from the screenshots of the app in the gallery below, it reminds us a lot of Instagram. There is also the ability to view your friend’s photos in a single timeline. Complete with filters and quick-sharing options, it is almost as if Facebook launched a competitor to its own app.

Here is the full breakdown of features:

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Apps

Yahoo launches its own iOS web browser called ‘Axis’, with a focus on syncing bookmarks

Jake Smith May 23 2012 - 7:30 pm PT

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Perhaps following suit with Google’s plans, Yahoo has launched its own iOS web browser called “Axis” this evening (via CNET), which hopes to be the ultimate solution for syncing bookmarks and browsing the web. Taking a page out of Instapaper, Readability, or Read it Later’s book, Axis installs as a desktop browser extension on Safari, Chrome, or Firefox and keeps bookmarks synced to the Axis iOS app. From the iOS app, you can browse bookmarks from your desktop, view any webpage you like, and take advantage of Axis’ social features that allow you to share webpages with Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and more. The browser also has a focus on media and shows you the latest trends as you search. In Yahoo’s demo video for the app, Axis takes a popular Chrome feature that many have come to love—search autocomplete—and displays instant information. Engadget took Axis for a spin, claiming: “The desktop browser extension largely stays out of your way until you need it, although we’re surprised the social sharing elements are left out. On the mobile side, it is effectively a full, tabbed web browser, and a fairly solid (if simple) one at that. Most of the advantage comes through having the deeper search options just a pull away.”

Yahoo Axis is available for download now from its website. Google is also rumored to launch a “Chrome for iOS” app, so it will be interesting to see how it compares to iOS’ Safari and now Yahoo Axis. Let us know in the comments how it works for you.

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AAPL Company

Apple airs two new Siri commercials titled ‘Joke’ and ‘Life’, featuring John Malkovich

Jake Smith May 23 2012 - 7:15 pm PT

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiBIT8Kgr4w

Apple aired two new television commercials this evening to advertise its personal assistant feature Siri that introduced on the iPhone 4S last October. The commercials follow a similar pattern as the other Siri spots that featuring actor Samuel L. Jackson and aactorZooey Deschanel. They show Siri’s uses like finding the weather, getting calendar information, getting Siri to tell a joke, or even getting her to share some life advice. Both commercials feature popular actor John Malkovich who starred in the hit movie “Of Mice and Men”. The commercials are titled “Joke” and “Life”. You can check out the “Life” advert after the break:

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AAPL Company

Apple calls DOJ’s antitrust lawsuit over eBook price-fixing ‘fundamentally flawed’

Jake Smith May 23 2012 - 2:34 pm PT

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While it is known that the folks in Cupertino are not exactly thrilled to be going to trial over allegedly conspiring with eBook publishers to raise prices, Apple has still gone to trial to fight it. Some analysts even said Apple has a firm chance of winning, but who can really tell in the law world? In a report published by Reuters today, Apple defended itself, calling the lawsuit placed against the company “fundamentally flawed as a matter of fact and law.” Yesterday, Apple filed with the court claiming it did not work the publishers to try to disrupt Amazon’s lead in the eBook market.

Three of the five accused eBook publishers already settled with the U.S. Department of Justice, but Macmillan and Penguin chose to also fight the Department of Justice along with Apple. All five publishers are accused of meeting in a London hotel to discuss raising the price of eBooks—a meeting that Apple was absent from. This is why Apple said it did not do anything wrong. However, the real kicker that comes into play is that Apple’s move to let publishers set their own prices, and it is a requirement that publishers do not sell their digital books for cheaper elsewhere, forced consumers to pay millions more for eBooks than they should have. The Department of Justice said this created a monopoly for Apple. However, as previously stated, Apple firmly disagreed:

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New plans show beautiful glass Apple Store headed for Stanford

Jake Smith May 23 2012 - 8:36 am PT

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A new Apple Store with beautiful glass architecture is currently pegged for the Stanford campus in Palo Alto, Calif., reported Palo Alto Online (via MacRumors). The building process has begun in a shopping center on Stanford’s campus, as workers are covering the building with black sheets (in typical Apple fashion). However, the building is so large —12,100 square feet total and 23 feet tall in a single story —it is certainly not an easy thing to miss. Apple submitted plans for the new building to the city of Palo Alto last October, although, Apple did not attach its name to the plans. On May 11, the finalized plans were given to the builders so construction could begin, and Apple’s name finally unearthed.

As you can see in the mockup above, the store is made entirely out of glass and looks very close to Apple’s Fifth Avenue Store in New York, which also has an exquisite glass entrance way. It even features a stone structure in the middle that separates the store into two parts. Similar stores are currently being designed in Portland, Oregon, and France.

IfoAppleStore reported that the new store in Stanford would replace the mini Apple Store that is based 700 feet away from the construction site of the new one. The publication also claimed the new store will be built by Apple architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, with a grand opening—and closure of the mini store—slated for the end of the year

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Microsoft Office for iOS allegedly launching in November

Jake Smith May 23 2012 - 8:11 am PT

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We have been hearing about Microsoft’s alleged plans to launch an iPad app for its Office suite for quite some time, especially after The Daily featured a supposed shot of it running on an iPad just a few months ago. Microsoft denied that it was a real screenshot; however, The Daily stood its ground and claimed the app was demoed to them by a Microsoft employee. Interestingly, at the same time, Microsoft would neither confirm nor deny plans to launch the app.

Bringing back the rumor today, Jonathan Geller of BGR published a report, quoting “a reliable source,” that claims Microsoft Office for iOS will launch in November. He also said that it will be available on both iPhone and iPad, rather than iPad-centric like once believed. The report does not provide any more information, but here is how The Daily originally described the app a few months ago:

The app’s user interface is similar to the current OneNote app, but it has hints of Metro, the new design language that can be seen in Windows Phone and in the as-yet-released Windows 8 desktop operating system. Word, Excel and PowerPoint files can be created and edited locally and online.

Consequently, Microsoft Office Live could also get a new complete overhaul to match its recent design changes. Check out another shot after the break:

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NPD: Include iPad and Apple doubles nearest competitor in Mobile PC share, iPad now 63 percent of tablet market

Jake Smith May 23 2012 - 7:41 am PT

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Tim Cook likes to refer to the iPad as “the poster child of the post PC world” and often brags about how it is leading the pack. According to new numbers out today from research firm NDP, if you account for the iPad (13.6 million units during the quarter), Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple has maintained its position as the leader in mobile PC sales with 17.2 million units shipped during Q1. Apple beat out its nearest competitor HP by a solid 8.3 million units, which makes it the leader by far.

As for the area of key growth, NDP backs up Cook’s recent claims that China is a key emerging market. According to the study, China accounted overall for 13 percent of mobile PCs shipped during the quarter. In related China news, a new study reported Apple doubled its device market share in China during Q1. Of course, this is due in part to the launch of the iPhone 4S with the ~~fighting~~ bustling crowds. However, Samsung still leads in the country by roughly 2.8 million devices shipped.

Apple already announced its Q2 earnings, where the company revealed it shipped 11.8 million iPads. It will be interesting to see how Apple fairs against the competition during Q2. But, right now, it looks like the others do not have a shot. Apple also led in tablets shipped, with a 62 percent marketshare during Q1:

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iOS Devices

IBM blocks Siri and iCloud on staff iPhones due to ‘extraordinarily conservative’ security measures

Jake Smith May 23 2012 - 6:43 am PT

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Calling her company “extraordinarily conservative,” IBM CIO Jeanette Horan recently told MIT Technology News that the company she works for blocks Siri and iCloud on its staff iPhones. The reason? Security measures, just to ensure spoken queries that are transmitted are not stored somewhere, like on Apple’s servers. As for the reason the company blocks iCloud, it is because files through the service are transferred publically— or with not as much security as IBM would like.

The piece continues to outline IBM’s efforts on security with its staff. When a employee brings in their own device (as they have been encouraged to do within the company since 2010), they must first give it to IBM’s IT department to remove what they believe is troublesome software like Siri and iCloud, and they also enable software that will allow the IT staff to quickly erase the memory on the device remotely in case it is lost or stolen.

MIT Technology News noted that as more employees want to use their own devices, the tools companies are using to protect them are booming:

The kinds of challenges IBM faces are becoming increasingly common. Surveys have shown that more than half of large companies are catering to their employees’ desire to use their own smart phones, and as a result, the market for “mobile-device management” tools is booming. A January report by Forrester Research counted more than 40 companies offering such services.

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Tech Industry

The Telegraph interviews Apple lead designer Jonathan Ive, officially knighted today in Britain [video]

Jake Smith May 23 2012 - 3:32 am PT

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Being the senior vice president of industrial design at Apple, Jonathan Ive has played a key role over the years getting Apple products to be the best designed out there. While Ive was out of Cupertino and in his native homeland of Britain, The Daily Telegraph snagged a lengthy interview getting some insight into one of the most influential designers today. Like Steve Jobs, Ive said his inspiration for design work came from his father.

“My father was a very good craftsman. He made furniture, he made silverware and he had an incredible gift in terms of how you can make something yourself.”

Ive is currently in Britain to receive his knighthood for his stunning design work and contributions, so I guess we should really be calling him Sir Jonathan Ive. Ive even recently credited his homeland as inspiration for his work: “I am keenly aware that I benefit from a wonderful tradition in the U.K. of designing and making.”

The Telegraph’s interview also has a great look on Apple’s path to success, as explained by Ive himself.

“We try to develop products that seem somehow inevitable. That leave you with the sense that that’s the only possible solution that makes sense,” he explains. “Our products are tools and we don’t want design to get in the way. We’re trying to bring simplicity and clarity, we’re trying to order the products.

Check out the rest of the interview on The Daily Telegraph >>

Update: BBC reported that Sir Jonathan Ive has officially been knighted today. The Princess Royal knighting him is on video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OFmes7khUE&feature=youtu.be

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Reading List gains offline reading in recent Mountain Lion builds

Jake Smith May 22 2012 - 5:47 pm PT

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Safari Reading List is definitely a nice, simple alternative to third party apps like Instapaper, Readability, and Pocket for those who use Safari. Reading List allows you to save and sync links for later reading between both your Mac and iOS devices. It has been known that offline reading is coming soon to Safari on Mountain Lion, and it looks like that feature finally landed. Found by Gear Live today and a commenter on Control Your Mac 10 days ago, offline reading was enabled in recent builds of Mountain Lion. However, offline reading is sadly still not available on iOS devices; although, we would guess iOS offline support is coming at some point.

Offline reading is pretty self-explanatory. While connected, you can mark items to read in your Reading List. Once the Internet is disconnected, you can still load the article thanks to a bit of caching work done on Apple’s end. Apps like Instapaper, Readability, and Pocket have offered a similar feature for quite some time, so it is nice to see Apple finally utilize offline reading.

Earlier this week, Instapaper owner Macro Arment said (video queued below) his app has been pretty much left unfazed after the introduction of Reading List over a year ago, which points to the lack of offline reading to a possibility why Reading List may have not caught steam. Sadly, you can only use Reading List in Safari too, so Chrome users are left to find another option. This looks to be like a nice solution for the mainstreamers, however.

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iOS Devices

Alleged front panel for next iPod touch leaks, suggests ‘4.1’-inch display

Jake Smith May 22 2012 - 9:17 am PT

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We exclusively reported this morning that the next-generation iPhone is currently tapped to measure 3.999-inches, and Apple is testing it internally. Furthermore, we also said it features an 1,136-by-640 resolution. Adding a bit of fuel to the 16:9 fire, MacRumors and BadGizmo Repair posted the front panel for the next iPod touch this morning, along with the camera sensor for the next iPhone. Interestingly, according to MacRumors’ leak, the front panel for the iPod measures 4.1-inches diagonally (as shown above).

MacRumors and BadGizmo Repair also posted the alleged camera sensor for the next-generation iPhone. As you can see, there are not many differences from past generations of the camera included in the iPhone, except for the lack of an LED flash sensor. Leaked parts from suppliers are nothing new ahead of a new iOS device launch. Already we have seen leaks for the alleged home button and micro-SIM tray. Here is a close up of the camera:

Although there appears to be some discrepancy in the diagonal measure of the iPhone (we simply added the extra pixels, assumed the same 326ppi, and then applied some Pythagorus), it is clear that these seem to point to a 4-inch display. Other publications agreed:

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Check out the LEAP: control your Mac with gestures for only $69

Jake Smith May 21 2012 - 11:50 am PT

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We all know there will be a day when the mouse and keyboard will become obsolete, but many think that day is far off. However, that day just might be here with a new project called “LEAP.” As first noted by The Wall Street Journal, the LEAP, developed by parent company Leap Motion, allows you to control your computer by only using your hand. It is a little hardware box as small as a stack of playing cards that sits in front of the computer monitor and tracks your hands’ motions. As you can see in the video above, this is great while playing a game or even browsing the Web. From the looks of it, the LEAP is also very cheap—currently up for pre-order on LEAP’s website for only $69.99.

The technology is very similar to Microsoft’s popular Kinect platform, which allows Xbox 360 and Windows PC owners to get active with their entertainment. Kinect has sold very well since its introduction in 2010, with a slew of games and apps that interact with the technology very well. Microsoft also makes the Kinect’s source code available for those willing to tinker with the code.

Apple is also tipped to be working on similar technology. Several rumors and patent filings over the years show Apple is working on 3D displays and 3D cameras to help capture motion from the body and hands. The technology is believed to one-day come to the rumored Apple TV set, and it could even land on iOS sometime in the future. Apple has also continued hiring for positions pertaining to 3D.

The LEAP is very interesting, and it will be cool to see how it works in real world scenarios. Obviously, gestures are not the best solution to every piece of work done throughout the day, but it can be a nice tool for some. Being priced at $69, I would say this is a relatively good deal. The website said there is only a limited amount available, so you may want to act fast.

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Interview with Instapaper founder Marco Arment

Jake Smith May 21 2012 - 10:53 am PT

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Joshua Topolsky of The Verge recently sat down with Instapaper founder Marco Arment. For those unfamiliar, Instapaper is a popular app on the App Store that allows you to save an article or a piece of the Web for later reading. The app has a slick web interface that allows you to manage content, along with a browser extension that enables you to mark content easily.

In the interview above, we learn more about the economics of Instapaper, and how it has fared against the release of Apple’s Safari Reading List. Arment also shared why he has not released an Android app, calling the economics just not good. He also made a great point that not many Android users are actually buying apps. Instapaper is available on iTunes for $5, and Arment said that is a price most Android users just will not pay. He also said that Instapaper has been unfazed by the release of Reading List, along with the rest of the competition Instapaper is currently stacked against.

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Analyst: iPhone 3GS life may still go on in pre-paid markets, iPhone shipments to be at 30M in Q3

Jake Smith May 21 2012 - 6:16 am PT

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Most would assume that the currently free on-contract iPhone 3GS will discontinue with the introduction of the sixth-generation iPhone later this year, but one analyst claimed its life would go on. According to Jefferies analyst Peter Misek in a note released last night (via Fortune), Apple signed an agreement “with a major global distributor” that will bring the iPhone 3GS to pre-paid carriers and developing countries for an even cheaper price. Misek said the 3GS would be priced between the $200 to $250 range, which is cheaper than the $375 price point that it is now priced at wholesale. The analyst further estimated iPhone shipments for the June quarter.

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Foxconn reportedly investing $210M in new Apple production line

Jake Smith May 21 2012 - 4:34 am PT

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According to a report from the China Daily, Foxconn is looking to invest $210 million in a new Apple production line that will be based in Huai’an city, China, according to the office of Taiwan Affairs today. The plant is expected to be relatively big in size, covering 40,000 square meters, with plans to hire 35,800 workers. However, it looks to be smaller than Foxconn’s other plants. When it comes to how much the plant plans to produce, the output from the plant is expected to be between $949 million to $1.1 billion yearly, according to the report.

It is not clear which Apple products are expected to be built in the plant, but construction will begin in October of this year, perhaps ruling out possibility of the factory producing the sixth-generation iPhone that is rumored to go into production in June. Manufacturing for the new iPhone will most likely take place in Foxconn’s main Shenzhen plant, where upwards of 200,000 workers currently work. Foxconn also opened a new plant in Brazil and a larger plant in Zhengzhou just last year.

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iOS 5.1.1 untethered Absinthe 2.0 jailbreak to be released in the coming days

Jake Smith May 20 2012 - 6:40 pm PT

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Ever since the release of iOS 5.1.1, many in the jailbreak community have anxiously waited for the destined release of an untethered jailbreak for the new software. Non other than the prolific pod2g has worked tirelessly to comfort those in need. According to pod2g, the release of the untethered jailbreak does not appear to be that far off — coming this week.

Thanks to awesome work of @planetbeing and @pimskeks, we're near ready for a release. Now it's a matter of days.

— pod2g (@pod2g) May 20, 2012

Tethered jailbreaks are available for iOS 5.1.1; however, an untethered jailbreak is much better. It allows users to turn on and off their device without losing a beloved jailbreak.

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Samsung chief says company looking to resolve differences with Apple ahead of court rendezvous, options include cross-licensing deal

Jake Smith May 20 2012 - 11:39 am PT

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The legal battle between Samsung and Apple is nothing new, because the two companies have duked it out in court for quite sometime. Both companies are ordered to meet to talk about a deal tomorrow. Not surprisingly, Samsung chief JK Shin is looking to resolve the differences between his company, and Apple is looking toward negotiating with them, according to Reuters. One of the ways he suggested is a cross-licensing deal: “There is still abig gapin the patent war with Apple but we still have several negotiation options including cross-licensing.”

Headed to the United States today, Shin is accompanied by chief executive Choi Gee-sung. Both will meet with Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and company in a San Francisco court tomorrow to try to hammer out a negotiation.

The interesting part of this whole kerfuffle is that Samsung is a key supplier for many parts that Apple uses in its products. South Korean-based Samsung even has a factory in Austin, Texas dedicated to making chips for Apple’s iOS devices. However, even with giving each other their business, the two companies’ relationship is not very good. Samsung is one of the most popular manufacturers of Android handsets, leaving both Apple and Samsung suing each other to try to back up their respective devices.

We will cover anything that comes out of the court tomorrow, but do not expect the two companies to strike a deal very quickly, because it looks like it is going to take a bit to settle their differences.

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Internal Sam’s Club listing shows Verizon Shared Data plan still on track for summer

Jake Smith May 19 2012 - 8:06 pm PT

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Verizon’s shared data plan has been known since CFO Andrew Davies announced the news on the company’s call with investors in late April—along with many other rumors that developed over the past year. It will allow Verizon customers to share data between their iPhone, iPad, or with the rest of their family’s devices. Davies said it will be available by mid-summer.

According to a screenshot of an internal listing from Sam’s Club, which was given to 9to5Mac by a tipster, the plan to roll out shared data still seems to be on track for a mid-summer release. The note said the plan would be similar to how customers “share minutes today.”

In March, PhoneArena leaked a screenshot of the family data usage calculator to estimate how much data is used on your plan. There is no word on how much data will be provided, or how much it will even cost. However, according to the screenshot below, it looks like it will extend to 30 GB and beyond.

For those on AT&T, you will also be able to use a similar plan soon. Just last week, AT&T CEO of Mobile Business Ralph de la Vega told CNET that a shared data plan is on its way. When it came to the carrier’s profit from the plan, he said, “I’m very comfortable with the plan that will be offered to our customers.” Carriers, of course, make bank off data plans.

It is great to know things are still on track, and we will let you know when these types of plans launch in the near future. Is anyone interested?

Cheers, Phoenix!
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AAPL Company

Apple seeds OS X Mountain Lion Server Developer Preview 4 to developers

Jake Smith May 17 2012 - 12:02 pm PT

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For you server types: Apple just seeded OS X Mountain Lion Server Developer Preview 4 to developers apart of Apple’s Mac developer program. The update is available on the Developer Center and can be downloaded by grabbing the redemption code available.

Today’s server release (build 12S219n) comes after yesterday’s release of OS X Mountain Lion Developer Preview 3 (build 12A206j). Go ahead and grab it on the Developer Center if you are a registered member. As it is downloads, go ahead and check out the seed note below. It includes these known issues:

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AAPL Company

Apple wins iPhone5.com domain dispute, ordered to be transferred

Jake Smith May 17 2012 - 4:55 am PT

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Earlier this month, Apple moved to gain control of iPhone 5.com from a domain squatter who used it as a forum full of ads. The company filed a dispute with the World Intellectual Property Organization, which now appears to have granted Apple’s request today. As The Next Web reported, the squatter relinquished control of the domain, and control now goes to brand protection agency Corporation Service Company, which Apple could be using to take control.

Don not think that this confirms the next iPhone will be called “iPhone 5,” because Apple often works to get its rightful domains from squatters. Last July, Apple gained control of iPods.com and received full ownership of the domain. The folks in Cupertino are known to throw around cash for domains—like when they reportedly purchased iCloud.com for $4.5 million. The terms of today’s deal were not disclosed.

When Apple follows the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, as it did in this case, the company ends up paying thousands —rather than millions— to gain control. Will Apple continue on to gain control of domains like iPhone6.com, iPad.com, and Macs.com? Check out the full policy below to get an idea of how this works:

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iOS Devices

Rumor: LCD suppliers for 7.85-inch iPad Mini certified with production ready to ramp up

Jake Smith May 16 2012 - 7:38 pm PT

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Taiwan-based publication Liberty Times (translated, via Macotakara) shared an interesting bit of information this evening about the rumored 7.85-inch “iPad Mini.” The publication reported that LG and AU Optronics were certified to supply the LCD panel for the iPad Mini. Furthermore, it goes on to claim that both manufacturers are working to ship the panels for production and for a release sometime during the latter half of 2012. The target-shipping amount for the iPad Mini is said to reach 6 million (which was previously reported), but I think there would be a need for more due to the influx of holiday sales.

Other news about iPad Mini parts include: TPK Holding will produce 4 million backlight modules; Chemi Innolux will produce 2 million; and Nissha Printing will produce the touch film sensor.

Rumors of the iPad Mini have really ramped up over the last few months, because Apple is said to take on Amazon and other competitors with a smaller 7.85-inch offering priced cheaper for customers just entering the tablet market. Many are skeptical that this product would see the light of day from Apple, but the biggest argument against it comes from late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. He asserted one would need super-small fingers to navigate smaller 7-inch tablets.

According to rumors, the 7.85-inch iPad will not feature a Retina display as one would certainly hope. Instead, Apple may include the pixel dimensions that were featured on the original iPad (1024-by-768). This type of display will help Apple cut costs, and then it can sell the tablet at a low price.

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iOS Devices

Apple defends Siri’s performance in class-action lawsuit

Jake Smith May 16 2012 - 6:26 am PT

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In the middle of March, a slew of lawsuits were filed against Apple claiming the Cupertino, Calif.-based Company misadvertised Siri, which is the company’s intelligent personal assistant software announced on the iPhone 4S in October of last year. The lawsuits said Apple used its commercials to convey a “misleading and deceptive message” about Siri. However, in typical fashion, Apple firmly disagreed.

Apple is working to get the class-action lawsuit dismissed from a California court by claiming customers could return the iPhone within 30 days of purchase if they are unhappy with Siri. Here is Apple’s motion to dismiss, as found by The Wall Street Journal.

They offer only general descriptions of Apple’s advertisements, incomplete summaries of Apple’s website materials, and vague descriptions of their alleged—and highly individualized—disappointment with Siri. Tellingly, although Plaintiffs claim they became dissatisfied with Siri’s performance “soon after” purchasing their iPhones, they made no attempt to avail themselves of Apple’s 30-day return policy or one-year warranty—which remains in effect. Instead, they seek to take an alleged personal grievance about the purported performance of a popular product and turn it into a nationwide class action under California’s consumer protection statutes. The Complaint does not come close to meeting the heavy burden necessary to sustain such claims.

The company also said that while Siri is still in beta, she is still “cutting edge.” What do you think? Is this class-action lawsuit against Apple warranted? One of the plaintiffs in the case said he could not replicate the following commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRHg9DH6S0w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ciagGASro0

Okay.. here’s the funny Rock God version just for size:
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World’s largest carrier China Mobile in talks with Apple to carry the iPhone

Jake Smith May 16 2012 - 4:00 am PT

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The world’s largest carrier, China Mobile, confirmed that it is in talks with Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple to bring the iPhone to its network, according to Bloomberg. Speaking to investors in Hong Kong yesterday, China Mobile’s Chairman Xi Guohua said, “China Mobile and Apple both have the will to strengthen cooperation. When there is more specific news, we will disclose it.” China Mobile has the world’s largest subscriber rate by far, with a whopping 667.2 million subscribers accounted for by the end of March. However, due to the carrier’s choice in 3G technology, it has not been compatible with any iPhone that Apple has manufactured.

As we previously stated, though, things could change with the release of the next iPhone. During this year’s Mobile World Conference in Barcelona, Qualcomm revealed a 3G chip that supports TD-SCDMA, TD-LTE, and LTE on FDD and TDD networks, which brings support to China Mobile. If Apple chooses to include the chip in the sixth-generation iPhone, China Mobile could become a reality. In October, we reported that China Mobile had 10 million iPhones on its network—much like T-Mobile does in the United States. Sadly, users are only able to use EDGE on the unsupported network.

The iPhone is currently available on China Telecom and China Unicom in China. As Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has stated time-and-time again during annual earnings calls with investors, China is a very key emerging market for the company. According to Cook last month, the company gained a ton of sales from the pent-up demand for the iPhone 4S last quarter.

I would not doubt if the next iPhone launches on China Mobile. However, I would not count on it being this year, but rather at the beginning of 2013. China Mobile is huge and it would be foolish of Apple not to use the technology available to launch on the world’s largest carrier.

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AAPL Company

WSJ: Next iPhone to feature at least a 4-inch screen, production to begin in June

Jake Smith May 16 2012 - 3:38 am PT

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Mockup

Update: Reuters backed up the WSJ’s report and claimed sources have indicated, “The new iPhone screens will measure 4 inches from corner to corner.” It also said that early production began at LG Display, Sharp Corp, and Japan Display, Inc., which would allow the device to hit production by August.

According to The Wall Street Journal, which cited “people familiar with the situation,” Apple is set to use “at least” a 4-inch screen on the sixth-generation iPhone. Many long-time iPhone customers requested that Apple move away from its 3.5-inch screen traditionally used on the iPhone to a larger screen like many Android handsets on the market. According to the report, Apple ordered “at least” 4-inch screens from Asian suppliers to go into production starting in June. Apple tapped LG Display, Sharp, and Japan Display, Inc., to manufacture the displays.

Late last week, Rene Ritchie of iMore shared some tidbits over what he has heard on the next iPhone. According to his sources, Apple capped the next iPhone’s screen at 4-inches, rather than going any bigger. Ritchie also added that Apple is currently developing a smaller dock connector. Lastly, it will launch in October with LTE in the plans. It will also keep the home button and no-metal backing. iLounge editor Jeremy Horwitz had similar thoughts earlier this month.

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