Adding to the bevy of rumors surrounding a next-generation iPad release, a report on Thursday says Apple will likely use a modified LED backlight apparatus in a bid to make the 9.7-inch tablet as thin and light as possible.
NPD DisplaySearch told CNET that it expects Apple’s fifth-generation iPad to sport a more efficient LED array, as well as a change to film-based touch sensor technology, as the company slims down its largest tablet offering.
While supposed leaked parts have already surfaced for Apple’s next-gen iPhone 5S, and even the claimed “redesigned” 5th-gen iPad, Apple’s budget iPhone has so far not seen any hardware leaks to back up claims that it is on the way – until now, that is.
Japanese parts vendor iLab Factory (via Macotakara / iDownloadBlog) shares a set of photos of claimed parts of Apple’s supposed “budget” version of the iPhone, including a flex cable for the home button, and a flex cable for the volume controls and vibration motor. The report also points out that the parts could possible be for the iPhone 5S, although it’s equally likely that they are meant for the cheaper iPhone model.
The bulk of Apple’s 2013 product pipeline will likely launch later than many market watchers expect, according to one insider, due to a variety of complex development challenges associated this year’s anticipated iPhones and new iPad mini.
Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who has a strong track record in revealing Apple’s future product plans, shared a research note with AppleInsider on Thursday that suggested Apple’s so-called “iPhone 5S,” a rumored low-cost iPhone, and a second-generation iPad mini will all launch later than market consensus expects.
These apparent delays are driven by a variety of issues, according to Kuo. For the “iPhone 5S,” he said Apple plans to include a fingerprint sensor that poses a number of technical challenges.An “iPhone 5S” fingerprint sensor, Retina display for next iPad mini, and ultrathin plastic casing for low-cost iPhone are expected to cause production challenges for Apple.
“Apple has to work out how to prevent interference from the black and white coating material under the cover glass,” he said. “Apple is the first to attempt this function and technology, and time is needed to find the right coating material, which will likely affect iPhone 5S shipments.”
Kuo has previously claimed that Apple plans to integrate a fingerprint sensor beneath the home button the next iPhone. This new technology would allow users to bypass password entry, and could also allow Apple to integrate secure e-wallet functionality.
Another hold-up for the next iPhone, according to Kuo, is the development of iOS 7, Apple’s anticipated next-generation mobile operating system. The analyst said Thursday that more time is likely to be needed for software development and testing, particularly with respect to the fingerprint scanning functions that will be included with the software.
As for the rumored low-cost iPhone said to be in the works at Apple, Kuo said Apple faces challenges with the casing on the device. He expects that the low-end iPhone will have a plastic casing that will be slimmer than such casings regularly are.Analyst Ming-chi Kuo correctly predicted the bulk of Apple’s 2012 product lineup. This year, he sees iPhone and iPad sales shrinking to single-digit growth in the third quarter because of apparent behind-the-scenes production delays.
“The slimmer casing may make it more difficult to ramp up production yields of coating and surface treatment, and could slow down the shipment timetable,” he said.
Finally, Kuo said the “iPad mini 2″ faces challenges with its display panels, as he expects Apple will opt to include a high-resolution Retina display with the second-generation device. This is expected to make the device more difficult to manufacture, which could delay shipments.
As a result of these issues, Kuo said it’s likely that Apple will see single-digit growth in iPhone and iPad shipments in the third quarter of 2013. That would be well below the market consensus, which sees Apple growing its sales by between 30 and 40 percent with the introductions of new products.
KGI Securities’ previous roadmap, shown here, called for earlier launches of Apple’s “iPhone 5S” and “iPad mini 2.”
Last year, Kuo was the first to detail a number of major changes to Apple’s product lineup, including the discontinuation of the 17-inch MacBook Pro, and that Apple would continue to sell the legacy MacBook Pro with disc drive alongside a new, thinner model inspired by the design of the MacBook Air.
Kuo also accurately forecast Apple’s entire fall product lineup, including unexpected products like a redesigned iPod nano and tweaked fourth-generation iPad with faster processor and Lightning connector. The analyst also revealed months before the new, thinner iMacs were announced that the redesigned all-in-one desktops would be in short supply. Availability of the iMacs proved to be so constrained that Apple experienced supply issues well into 2013.Development issues may cause later-than-expected debuts of ‘iPhone 5S,’ low-cost iPhone & next iPad mini.
In a note to investors on Thursday, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, who recently met with Apple management, said the company could debut new internet-based services as well as a “killer app” later this year.
In the near term, Huberty said Apple could make a surprise announcement at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference in June regarding a new type of internet service such as streaming music or a mobile payment system. She went on to say that Apple Internet Software and Service chief Eddy Cue is believed to be working to improve existing services like iCloud and Maps, but at the same time is planning to launch new initiatives.
A new report says that Samsung has indeed been cut out of Apple’s plans for its next-generation A7 system-on-a-chip which is expected to power the Cupertino firm’s upcoming iOS devices. Apple is reported to be moving forward with its plans to shift ptoduction to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
The Korea Times, via MacRumors:
“Apple is sharing confidential data for its next A7 system-on-chip (SoC) with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). TSMC has begun ordering its contractors to supply equipment to produce Apple’s next processors using a finer 20-nanometer level processing technology,” said an executive at one of Samsung’s local partners in Korea by telephone, Wednesday.
Apple iPhone 5 uses a unique piece of material to cover the camera on iPhone 5, Sapphire, which is stronger that normal glass and considered to be a very strong material. Current leader in smartphone display is Gorilla Glass with their latest product being pushed on to many smartphones, but Sapphire is 4 times more stronger than the latest version of Gorilla Glass and costs almost 10 times higher than Gorilla Glass. Currently a typical smartphone display made out of Gorilla Glass costs around $3 and one made out of Sapphire is $30. Sapphire is a crystal form of Aluminium Oxide that is not only stronger than glass but also lot more scratch resistant, future production advancements show that Sapphire will cut down cost by as much as 35% in next few years making it more affordable.
Pocketgamer reports that Apple spoke with a number of developers at the Game Developers Conference this week about providing game support for a new, official iOS game controller. Apple was rumored to have a physical game controller in the works for the iPhone last year, but nothing has yet seen the light of day.
(Credit: Apple)Apple will unveil its next iPhone on June 20 and kick off sales in July. At least, that’s the claim from Japanese Mac enthusiast site MacFan.
Marking its 20th anniversary as a Mac-oriented Web site, MacFan suggests that the next-generation iPhone will take the stage at a Apple event on Thursday, June 20. The new iPhone will then go on sale a few weeks later in early July, as reported by Electronista.
The report further claims that Apple will launch the much-rumored low-cost iPhone in August and target it as a pre-paid device for developing markets such as China and India.
A new rumor out of the Far East on Wednesday claims Apple has cut shipments of the iPad mini by between 10 to 12 million units going into the second quarter, suggesting the company could already ramping down for a next-generation version.
According to multiple DigiTimes sources, who provide the publication with supply chain information related to various components of Apple’s 7.9-inch tablet, the shipment cut could peak at 20 percent in April and continue throughout the second quarter.
If the numbers are correct, the decrease may bring total iPad mini shipments to as low as 10 million units for the three month period ending in June.
Apple’s rumored television set project has a long history of claims from various sources, and while the “iWatch” has taken on a more prominent place in the rumor mill in recent months, an Apple television continues to be on the radar of a number of industry watchers.
Digitimes now reports on word from unidentified supply chain sources that Apple is working on an “Ultra HD” or “4K” television set that would carry a resolution of 3840 x 2160. The report claims that Apple’s Internet-connected television set will support voice and motion control and is targeted for launch late this year or, perhaps more likely, early next year.
The sources said that Apple and Foxconn Electronics have been in discussions for quite some time in terms of the TV’s mass production schedule, but that Apple has been considering where panel supply for the TV will come from, as Ultra HD TV panel makers, most of whom are based in Taiwan, are expected to be producing at nearly full capacity in 2013 in order to meet demand from China-based TV vendors.
