Monday, February 18, 2013

News and Rumours: iPad mini 2 release date for 2013?

The iPad mini has been on sale for a few months now, so when will we get the iPad mini 2?

It seems like Apple has been surprised by the iPad mini demand, although there are no real sales numbers for the device from Apple as yet

iPad mini 2 specs
The story goes that the iPad mini 2 will have an even sharper display of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels packed into the same 7.9-inch space.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Doug Freedman - who was in China visiting chip companies in mid-December 2012 said: "iPad Mini Gen-2: Apple's gen-2 iPad mini is getting pulled-in, and is likely to have several new suppliers, with TXN gaining content."

.Could the iPad mini 2 also have the A5X processor under the hood?

iPad mini 2 release date
It seems like Apple might have to do a little more than pump up the screen resolution to get consumers excited for the next pint-sized iPad.

With production of the sharper screens projected to start by the later half of 2013, the iPad mini 2 release date could be mid to late 2013? And could March be the release date for a revised version?

Ming-Chi Kuo, a financial analyst with KGI Securities, has published what is believed to be a leaked roadmap of Apple products for 2013. That points at an iPad mini 2 being released late in the year.

iPad Mini 2 display
The grown up iPad 4 has a Retina display, and the next mini should either have that Retina tech or something similar.

Since the mini is much smaller, it means even more pixels can be cramped into every inch; the mini 2 is said to have a crisp 324 ppi density.

Upping the screen resolution isn't the most surprising upgrade for the potential iPad mini 2.

The biggest criticism of the current iPad mini so far is its 1,024 x 768 resolution. Critics wonder why a Retina display wasn't incorporated into the first iPad mini to begin with.

Cynics will say Apple went with a lower resolution so it had some low hanging fruit to grab for the next upgrade. Production problems surrounding the iPad mini might also be the culprit.

Anand Lal Shimpi and Vivek Gowri of Anandtech suggest that there are three things Apple has to do to bring a retina display to the iPad mini.

Reports in February 2013 suggested the iPad mini 2 retina display was already being manufactured. It's suggested that it will have a pixel density of 324ppi.

iPad mini 2 price
When the iPad mini was first released, reports said the steep price point of $329/£269/AU$369 was due to manufacturing difficulties. Indeed, well into early 2013, iPad minis were not shipping quickly.

The new GF DITO touchscreen technology that helps make the mini so small is reportedly one of many production hurdles.

AU Optronics (AUO), the company that produces the current iPad mini LCD panels, was also having yield issues with the mini screens at first, so a Retina-like display could have caused additional production headaches.

However, AUO claims it smoothed out production problems surrounding the current panels, already resolving the light leak issues that held up fabrication.

Ipadmini-press-3
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Tech New 2014: Powerful 4.8-inch iPhone 6 Coming in June... 2014? Dr Mobiles Limited

Sixthiphone

Based on what sources suggest to Misek, Apple's plans for an iPhone 6 delivering a 4.8-inch display may be shelved for 2013, leaving consumers with whatever the iPhone 5S will deliver and nothing more until June 2014.

Complicating the prospect of an early release is that the iPhone 6 is being built to run on a 20 nm processor, allowing it to add more cores (four or eight). To accommodate and capitalize on the new processing speed, iOS will have to be upgraded to such a degree that the operating system architecture "might not be ready" until the middle of next year.

"We believe a summer CY14 launch was originally planned," Misek explains, "but Apple tried to accelerate it to stem its market share losses. The earliest Apple could have launched a 4.8” phone would have been this fall (with a target of Oct); however, our checks indicate that Apple’s suppliers are running into difficulties trying to scale the screen size from 4” to 4.8”..."

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Forget iPhone 5, The iPhone 6 Is Coming: New Apple Patent Features Flexible Displays, Tactile Feedback

It’s only been a week since Apple released the iPhone 5 to its adoring public, but gearheads are already looking forward to what new technologies and features the Cupertino, Calif.-based computer company might unveil in next year’s smartphone model, presumably called “iPhone 6.”

A newly released patent, filed in March but published on Thursday, describes a handful of new technologies currently being cooked up in Apple’s research & development labs for new iDevices, including tactile keyboards, laser microphones and speakers, and flexible displays.

All of these new features would reportedly work in tandem to give users a dynamic iPhone experience that conforms to the user’s needs: Flexible displays allow for easier holding and typing, while the highly-advanced tactile screen would create buttons when needed so the user can feel the letters as they type, or touch the topography on an Apple map.

Wireless technology blog Unwired View had a chance to break down some of the elements in Apple’s newly published patent application, and described how the tactile display would work:

“By placing an array of piezoelectric actuators below the display and activating them on demand for tactile feedback… this way you have a perfectly smooth surface when you browse the net or read your email," wrote Unwired View's Stasys Bielinis. "Call up a keyboard, [and] actuators pop up and now you can feel the letters as you type."

Tactile display technology, which is useful for using your device without looking at it, has been something Apple has long been interested in: On May 7, Apple published a patent for advanced haptics using a flexible OLED screen, which would allow users to physically interact with their content by touching it – an experience accomplished with sensors and actuators working simultaneously.

Apple's multi-tiered system is extremely sophisticated: Using several layers of elastic screens stacked on top of each other, Apple's screen can produce 3D buttons or objects to interact with, as well as give texture to images, like topographical maps, but only when they're needed. This technology is currently being explored by another company, Tactus Technology, which created a video to explain how it all works.

Similar to Tactus' work, Apple's haptic system can respond to and create different types of actions, including vibration, net displacement, bending, deforming, or any combination of those elements. The technology can also work with a secondary display screen or audio system, which would be useful if Apple ever builds its iTV, but the system can also be applied to flexible organic light emitting diode, or OLED, screens. This advanced haptics system would also work with almost every portable Apple device, including iPhones, iPod Touch devices, iPads, MacBooks, and even TVs, video projectors and e-Ink displays.

But one of the great features about this flexible display technology is its ability to contain other internal components between the layers of the screen, such as a laser microphone or pressure sensor that, according to the patent filing, “receives sound or pressure information through the flexible display,” which can be temporarily or permanently deformed to provide tactile feedback to the device’s owner.

Unwired View also points out that since the display would be flexible, it could dynamically react to different sound vibrations as you speak, so Apple could potentially remove the traditional microphone holes and implant the sound technology within the screen to capture those sound vibrations.

In addition to sensing sound vibrations, the flexible screen would also be able to house components to generate sound waves as well. With a simple transducer behind the screen to transform electric current into vibrations, as long as the structure gets some barrier support, part of the screen can become a speaker membrane for surround sound. In other words, Apple could potentially implant different display based speakers for woofers, subwoofers, tweeters, supertweeters and mid-range speakers all right into that flexible screen.

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While flexible screens, advanced haptics and microphone and speaker systems built directly into the display, whatever iDevice these technologies are intended for – hopefully next year’s iPhone 6 – looks to be a real powerhouse of new and exciting software technology.

However, these are just a few of the features we’re expecting in the iPhone 6, the seventh-generation smartphone expected to launch in Q3 or Q4 next year. There were a number of software features we were expecting for this year’s iPhone 5, but didn’t make into the final design; however, based off the multitude of rumors and patent filings about these technologies, it’s completely possible that these will be future features in an upcoming Apple device. Here’s what we’re looking forward to:

Crack-Proof Glass: Everyone who's ever had a rough Saturday night would certainly love this patent. Granted on Nov. 15, Apple's patent for crack-resistant glass uses the same alumino silicate glass solution used in the iPhone 4 and 4S, but chemically treats it with potassium and sodium ions to achieve greater compression thresholds on the surface and edges of the glass, making it less susceptible to cracks.

Apple's patent also includes a handy feature that would appeal to everyone who's ever dropped their iPhone on a Saturday night: The patent calls for a shock mount to be placed between the glass and the body of the device, which will instantly inflate if the device senses it's falling. If the iPhone's internal accelerometer senses it's falling, an actuator within the device sucks in the cover glass as it accelerates to the ground, protecting it from damage.

NFC: The big kahuna of features, the near-field communication (NFC) chip which was long-rumored to be in the iPhone 5 until the final weeks leading up to the event, in which teardowns of new iPhone prototypes found no such chip. However, we were really hoping it'd be there for so many reasons.

NFC is nothing new -- in fact, many current smartphones have the chip built-in so owners can use mobile payments solutions such as Square and Google Pay -- but Apple had a chance to implant and popularize the technology in a landmark device. A slew of recently granted patents seemed to suggest that Apple would introduce the NFC chip in the near future, but it just was not meant to be in the iPhone 5.

iWallet: Apple won a major patent on March 6 for a piece of technology called the "iWallet," which is a digital system that gives users complete control over their subsidiary financial accounts on their iPhones, and also leverages Near-Field Communication technology to complete credit card transactions directly on the phone as well. The iWallet has many different features, including giving users the ability to see their entire credit card profiles, view statements and messages from their banks, and even set parental controls for their children, should they also want to use their iPhones as digital wallets. Outside of the iPhone, users can keep track of their payments and statements within the iTunes billing system, which keeps credit card information and records safe and secure. There's a possibility that iWallet could also work with other Apple utilities, which could allow users to buy things like movie tickets directly within the apps, but only time will tell with that one.

iTunes Gifts: Another Apple patent unveiled in April described a system for standardized buying, sending, and receiving of media files from a media provider (iTunes) between multiple devices (iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touchs). The process was simply called, "Gifting," and it would certainly work with an NFC-capable iPhone.

Downloading and storing digital media with online service providers has become commonplace -- more so than purchasing DVDs and CDs at physical stores -- but it's not very easy to transfer digital files from one individual to another, usually because of copyright laws. Apple believes "Gifting" is the solution.

One method for gifting requires the sender to authorize a gift charge to their iTunes account, which is then transmitted from the sender's device to the receiver's device -- via tapping, or as long as they're nearby -- thanks to the NFC chip. If the recipient of the gift isn't nearby -- or you want it to be a surprise -- the gift-giver may submit an official request with iTunes, which then processes the request and charges the initiator's account for the given file. The patent also allows for multiple gifts to be sent in a single transaction, as well as certain customization options for the gifts -- including voice greetings and custom gift images, likely to conceal the gift's identity before the recipient opens it.

Audio Sharing Network: The last few months have seen Apple pay increasing attention to audio. It spun off its Podcast application as a completely separate application from the "iPod" app, it released its new EarPods with a superior speaker system, and now, according to a newly-filed patent for the iPhone, Apple plans to make the iPhone into a "conference telephone," designed to cut out the background noise while recording audio, which can then be packaged and distributed. This feature would certainly appeal to students that want to record their lectures, as well as enterprise professionals that want to hold and record teleconferences with multiple individuals and be able to hear everyone clearly.

The Shopping Companion: In 2010, Apple was granted a patent for an NFC-enabled application called "Products +," which packages and tags merchandise or products sold by vendors to learn more information about the product itself, as well as win "hidden benefits" like free merchandise or free music, or any kind of reward for that matter.

"The iPhone's camera may be used to obtain a digital image of a matrix barcode tag," Patently Apple said. "The iPhone may thereafter employ optical character recognition (OCR) software, barcode-reading software, or matrix-code-reading software to extract information from an image as discussed later in the report."

For example, if a vendor like Starbuck's or Tim Horton's used a barcode on the outside of their paper cups, iPhone users could scan the tags with their NFC-enabled iPhones and read nutrition information, advertisements related for related products, or ways to win free music or discounted food or drinks. The NFC chip could even be used to identify the song playing in the restaurant so you can purchase it. Read more about the incredible ways NFC could benefit the shopping experience here.

3D Photography. It's possible the iPhone 5 could allow users to finally snap 3D images with their phones. While existing 3D cameras and video recorders gather three-dimensional information from objects, they're generally incapable of getting detailed enough information in relation to the shapes, surfaces and depth of the objects. Apple's patented solution involves a series of systems, tools and methods to capture a 3D image by using multiple sensors and cameras. One sensor would capture a polarizing image, while two other sensors would capture two different non-polarizing images, and Apple's system would combine the images into a composite.

The Photographer's Timer. Traditionally, self-timing cameras are used to take pictures of a big group, or a self-portrait. But in Apple's self-timer, a patent granted March 8, the iDevice's camera can identify the photographer and ask if they want to be in the picture. At that point, the iPhone will simply wait until it detects the photographer's face in the viewfinder before it automatically snaps a photo. If you are the "photographer" who also wants to be in the picture, the iPhone will simply wait until it detects your face to take the picture.

"But what about interruptions? What happens if I get a call after I set the self-timer?" Wonder no more. If you set the timer and then your phone goes off, the timer will still wait until it has detected, recognized and verified that you are the photographer and that you're in place for the photo. Now if only Apple patented a tripod ...

Apple Avatars. If you want to buy movies, apps, or any content through Apple's iTunes Store or App Store, Apple requires you have an Apple ID. Your Apple ID sticks with you in the company's Game Center, which keeps track of a user's achievements across purchased and downloaded games. But if this recently-granted patent has any bearing on the immediate future, Apple users may soon get to make customizable Apple Avatars, which users would use to represent themselves within potential online or gaming environments. Apple users could create a 3D model of themselves, customizing features like hair, eyes, nose, and eyebrows, as well as other features and accessories. While avatars seem to be geared towards kids, it would actually help give users a source of identity while making the Apple brand -- and identification procedures -- a little more fun. Don't be surprised if Apple had Pixar's help on this one: Just look at the eyes.

3D Object Recognition. On May 10, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a series of Apple patentsrelating to 3D face and object recognition technology. Apple's system involves taking a picture -- either with a front or rear camera -- and the 3D recognition software would distinguish between the two-dimensional projection of the image and the three-dimensional shape of the objects in the image. The process would be fully automatic, which would help for identifying faces in a group of objects, or even identifying objects in X-ray images.

Which of these features are you most excited for? Would you trade in your iPhone 4, 4S, or 5 for a phone with some or all of these exciting features? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Tecnology News 2013: What to Expect from Apple in 2013? (iPhone 5 Repair and Unlocking)

Unlike like the previous couple of years which were filled with dreams of tear-dropped iPhones, the start of 2013 has been pretty quiet for the normally busy Apple rumor mill. The end of 2012 put an end to some the biggest Apple rumors with the launch of the iPad 4, the iPad mini, and the long awaited iPhone 5. This is also why Wall Street is predicting a slow start to the new year for Apple, and why AAPL is down even after the company recently announced a record $54.5 billion in revenue.

Iphone_5s_colors

Apple CEO Tim Cook promised iOS fans some "amazing new products" in the company's quarterly earnings press release released yesterday. Here's what the rumor mill thinks they will be.

iPhone 5S:

Some analysts are promising a 2013 summer release for the iPhone 5S. Apple isn't expected to make any changes to the iPhone's form factor like it did with the iPhone 5, but purported photos of leaked iPhone 5S parts show minor changes to the aluminum chassis. It is also rumored that Apple will offer the iPhone in an iPod touch-like array of colors, and introduce a Home button fingerprint sensor system.

It's unclear if the iPhone 5S is Apple's rumored $99 to $149 “entry-level” iPhone, or the follow-up to the iPhone 5.

The "low-cost iPhone" is rumored to feature a 5-inch display and a new exterior design. It's also expected to feature components from older models and a plastic/metal chassis to help keep the cost down. The low-cost iPhone has also been dubbed the "iPhone mini" by some.

iPhone Math:

I hope the "iPhone Math rumor never dies. It's just too hilarious. Even if Apple had considered calling one of their phones "Math," they've probably changed their minds after all the backlash the name has received. The iPhone Math rumor was started by a poorly translated Chinese news report. The original rumor suggested Apple is planning to release three new handsets in 2013: The iPhone 5S with 4-inch display and 8MP camera, the iPhone Math with 4.8-inch display and 8MP camera, and an unnamed device with a 12MP camera.

iPad mini 2:

The new iPad mini is expected to feature a 7.9-inch Retina display and updated hardware, but that's about it. It's unknown whether or not Apple will continue selling the original iPad mini at a reduced price, or discontinue it altogether.

iPad 5:

iPad 5 rumors haven't been all that exciting either. There have been reports of a March 2013 release along with Apple's newest mobile operating system iOS 7. It has also been rumored that the new iPad will be significantly lighter and slimmer and feature Apple's new A7 processor. Lighter and slimmer makes sense since most devices seem to be headed in that direction. Unless you're Microsoft, who is preparing to release a 2 lb, $900 tablet on February 9th.

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