Author Archives: Mark

Rumor: Apple iWatch Not Launching Until Late 2014


iPod nano Watch
Following on from multiple rumors suggesting that Apple will be launching a smartwatch device near the end of 2013, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that the so called ‘iWatch’ will not debut until the second half of 2014 at the earliest (via MacRumors). The analyst, who has repeatedly demonstrated accurate knowledge of unreleased Apple products in the past, suggested that due to issues developing both hardware and software for the device, production will not start until after mid-2014, placing release of the device in the second half of next year.

The iWatch is rumored to sport a 2 inch display that will incorporate a key number of features over and above that offered by the iPod nano with a watch strap attachment. Some of these features have been suggested to be biometric-related and will likely be targeted and the sports, fitness and health areas. The device is expected to run some form of iOS software but it’s not clear how much functionality Apple is looking to offer, particularly given the expectations of the public on battery life.
Continue reading

Posted in News, Rumor | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Rumor: Brand New MacBook Air May Appear Next Month


MacBook Air

A new MacBook Air could be on the cards for a release next month as stock supplies of the existing models of MacBook Air have been significantly reducing a third party sellers. According to AppleInsider, Amazon.com have run out of stock of the 13 inch MacBook Air with 256GB storage, and then 11.6 inch Air is heading that way as well. This observation runs parallel to other Apple resellers such as MacMall who also are seeing low stocks.

Third party sellers of Apple products are often the first to display stock shortages when Apple runs down production existing models of an item in preparation for the release of a new version. Certainly with WWDC set to be held in June, it is likely that Apple will be debuting a new version of the MacBook Air with Intel Haswell processors and upgraded graphics performance.
Continue reading

Posted in News, Rumor | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Rumor: iPhone 5S Screen Manufacturing Getting Underway


iPhone apps
One of the companies that is responsible for the displays in the next iteration of the iPhone, Sharp, is apparently going to be starting production of the LCD display units for the iPhone 5S next month. The report comes from Japanese publication Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun who suggest that the ramp up of the components required for the iPhone 5S will start in June, and that other manufacturers such as LG have already started production on the displays required for the new device.
Continue reading

Posted in News, Rumor | Tagged | 1 Comment

New Kindle iOS App Offers Amazing VoiceOver Support


Amazon Kindle
Continuing their significant series of improvements to the already polished Kindle app for iOS devices, Amazon has today released an update through the app store that gives Apple VoiceOver support to ebooks on the app. The new version of the app now lets users select the option to read aloud books, a feature that is useful not just for visually impaired users. In addition to the new VoiceOver feature, the new Kindle app also contains a number of small improvements related to search and highlighting.
Continue reading

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Rumor: iPhone 5S Camera To Be A Massive 12 Megapixels


iPhone Camera Panoramic

A new report is suggesting that the sensor for the iPhone 5S will be in the region of a massive 12 megapixels, as Apple seeks to improve the imaging system on its latest iPhone. According to Vietnamese site Tinhte.vn, the new 12 megapixel camera in the iPhone 5S will be a significant improvement over the 8 megapixel sensor that is found in the iPhone 5, and will also offer improved shooting over in low-light conditions. The report also suggests that Apple will be bringing HDR video to the iPhone 5S.
Continue reading

Posted in News, Rumor | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rumor: iPhone 5S Will Be Announced In July With Multiple Color Options


iPod touch
The next generation iPhone 5S will be released in July and will apparently be available in at least five colors according to the Japanese site Macotakara who has provided some accurate pre-release information in the past. According to the site, there will be a range of five colors which will apparently include the existing black and white color options plus three others, although these are not detailed.

Given that other devices in the Apple line-up, such as the iPod touch and the iPod nano come in a number of different colors, it may be safe to assume that the iPhone 5S could adopt the same color range. The new colors on top of the black and white may therefore be light red or pink, yellow and blue, although Apple may choose to debut an entire new color scheme for the new iPhone.
Continue reading

Posted in News, Rumor | Tagged | Leave a comment

Apple Looking For Help Triaging Maps Bug Reports


Apple Maps

Apple is obviously expecting a significant number of bug reports for locations in the Maps application for iOS devices, as the company has just posted a job opening for a Maps Bug Triage Engineer. The company is looking for engineers who can triage and prioritize internal problem reports and problems such as a business location being in the wrong place or issues converting addresses to latitude and longitude. The person will work with the entire Maps team on improving the app and nursing it closer to perfection.
Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rumor: An Apple Television With Epic Resolution


Apple TV
A new report is adding to the long history of claims that Apple is working on a new television set by suggesting that such a device could launch later this year. The report comes from Digitimes who say that the Apple television will in fact feature Ultra HD ’4K’ resolution. This apparently translates to a 3840 x 2160 resolution although a screen size is not supplied so there is no way to calculate pixel density.

The new device will feature internet connectivity and, interestingly, motion controlled functionality, likely similar to that found in the XBox Kinect. The report notes that LG Display will be employed to produce the displays that will be found in the device, with production ramping up throughout the year. As such, the new Apple television could launch later this year or at the start of 2014.
Continue reading

Posted in News, Rumor | Tagged | 3 Comments

Customize An iPhone 5 With Plated Metal Rear Panel, Buttons And SIM Tray


iPhone 5 Metal Plate
A number of replacement parts have been launched for the iPhone 5 that offer a significant amount of color customization in the form of plated metal iPhone 5 components. The parts, sourced from Asian suppliers and currently listed on TVC-Mall, offer packs of components such as the rear panel, the side frames, the volume buttons, power button, mute/lock button and the SIM card tray, that have been plated with metal alloy in different colors.  The packs retail at around $72.

For comparison, the US company Anostyle have provided a similar service for some time, offering iPhone anodization in custom colors, without the replacement of any of of the iPhone components. The panels and parts being offered on TVC-Mall are essentially replacements for damaged iPhone 5 components that are simply being offered in multiple colors. However, they do carry some risk in that users would have to dismantle and then reassemble their iPhone 5 unit, voiding the warranty in the process and, indeed, the suppliers actually recommend professional installation of the replacement components.
Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rumor: New Low Cost iPhone To Have 4 Inch Display


iPhone apps
A new report is today suggesting that the long-rumored low cost iPhone that Apple have been working on will apparently sport the same 4 inch display as is found the iPhone 5. The report comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities (via AppleInsider) who says that the low cost iPhone has been in development for over two years and that the 4 inch display is likely to be included in the final product specifications. In addition, the analyst says that the new device will be made of a thin plastic casing with glass fiber, meaning that it will have a stronger, thinner and lighter casing than its predecessors. The new iPhone will also come in a number of different colors with between four to six options being offered.
Continue reading

Posted in News, Rumor | Tagged | 1 Comment