Apple unveiled the all-new iPhone 5C during a keynote presentation on September 10th, the phone is now available for pre-order in 10 countries. The company began taking preorders for iPhone 5C at 12:01 am PT on September 13 on Apple.com.

iPhone 5C is also available for pre-order at major carrier partners. The phone is available in 5 colours: green, blue, pink, white and yellow. 5C is available in 16GB and 32GB models and is priced at $99 and $199 respectively with a two year contract. List of countries where the pre-orders have gone live include: U.S., Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom

Technical specifications of iPhone 5C are similar to last years iPhone 5. It features a dual-core A6 chip, 8 megapixel rear camera, 4 inch retina display however, the shell of the phone is now polycarbonate. Apple has improved the front facing camera by featuring a 1.2 megapixel camera and the battery has been slightly improved.

Many believed that iPhone 5C will be a budget phone but, the phone will retail at $549 without a contract which is still very expensive. Apple’s strategy continues to remain the same. The company doesn’t want to cut down its margin and will offer its smartphone at premium price.

Mid-priced smartphones running Android have become increasingly popular in Asia for Samsung. Apple feels confident to compete in the $500-$700 range even for a phone with specifications same as last years and a polycarbonate body.

Third party retailers are offering discounts on the iPhone 5C even before it launches. Walmart is offering 5C at $79 with a two year contract. Even T-Mobile has a deal for no money down and 24 monthly payments of $22.

Will you buying the new iPhone 5C? What is the best feature according to you? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

During the special media event held on September 10th, Apple announced two new iPhones, colorful iPhone 5C and the ‘forward thinking’ iPhone 5S. While many believed that 5C would stand for “cheap” or low priced model, the reality is far from it.

The all-new iPhone 5C is a drastic departure from the design language Apple has been promoting since iPhone 4. Apple sold the original iPhone encased in a metal finish body and then the next two generations were made out of plastic. iPhone 3GS was the last plastic model we saw from Apple until now.

iPhone 5C takes us back to the iPhone 3GS design with some groundbreaking refinements to match up todays technological and engineering advancements. iPhone 5C is other words is like the modern day iPhone 3GS.

5C comes in 5 colorful flavors: green, blue, yellow, pink and white. The body of the iPhone is made out of polycarbonate and in its introductory video Jony Ive says they used plastic “unapologetically”. The company claims that even though the body is plastic it has a firm structure as a metal structure houses the sides of the body and also act as the antennas of the phone.

The colors of the phone are identical to the color palette of iOS 7. It’s no surprise that the marketing, software and hardware teams worked collaboratively at each stage in the making of iPhone 5C. The display is the same as iPhone 5, a retina display with 326 ppi resolution. Dimensions and weight of the device have been slightly altered as 5C stands 4.90 inches tall, 2.33 inches wide, 0.35 inch deep and weighs at 132 grams. When compared with the iPhone 5, the new 5C is heavier and fatter.

The smartphone uses the same dual-core A6 chip that was introduced in iPhone 5. Camera also remains the same with 8 megapixels, single LED flash however, the front facing camera has been improved to 1.2 MP.

iPhone 5C will ship with iOS 7 and feature color coordinated wallpapers. Many analysts believed that this will be a budget phone from Apple however the pricing hasn’t changed much. Just like in previous years when Apple announced a new iPhone the previous gen model would get a price reduction, iPhone 5C receives the same treatment.

It will be available in 16GB / 32GB variations priced at $99 / $199 respectively with two year contract. In contrast, iPhone 5S 16GB model also starts at $199. 5C isn’t the budget phone everyone was expecting from Apple. Without a contract the phone would cost around $700 which is still highly priced for the Asian market.

It’s interesting to note that Apple will continue to sell iPhone 4S for free with a two year contract.

Are you excited about the new iPhone 5C? Will you be pre-ordering the device on September 13th? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

According to a report from The Korea Times, Apple is now looking at removing Samsung from its upcoming A7 chip development process. This means that Apple is looking at taking its chip development for the upcoming iPad and next generation of iOS devices to another company. The report notes that Apple will be moving the development to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

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.

Samsung is reportedly taking steps to cover the gap that Apple will leave once it removes its business, with the South Korean company looking to produce graphics chips for NVIDIA as well as its already existing handset production. Apple and TSMC are reported to be working together on a 20-nm A7 design, which will likely appear on next year’s models of iOS devices.

This year’s iPad 5 and iPad mini models are expected to receive updated versions of the company’s A6 chip with a transition from 32-nm to 28-nm. The iPad mini will likely receive the new A6X chip, which is currently in the 4th generation iPad/

{Via MacRumors}

Apple Inc. (AAPL) iPhone 5 went on sale in the United States in late September, adding to the holiday lineup of all new Macs and iPods. Now, AAPL is also planning to bring the latest iPhone with the taller 4 inch screen, A6 chip, and LTE wireless to China. On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Cupertino based company would be bringing the iPhone 5 to China in late November or early December.

Government officials haven’t offered guidance on when the iPhone 5 might win final approval. But China Telecom Chairman Wang Xiaochu said Friday in a brief interview on the sidelines of the Communist Party’s 18th Party Congress in Beijing that the phone should be by early December if not sooner.

China Unicom Chairman Chang Xiaobing was less certain. “We hope to offer it this year, but what I say doesn’t matter,” he said on the sidelines of the congress, adding that his company was waiting for the government to grant the remaining licenses for the phone to be released in China.

Apple is already looking at a breakthrough holiday quarter and with the iPhone 5 selling in other countries, the company will experience even higher sales. According to the WSJ report, 16% of Apple’s revenue came from China last quarter, which equates to $5.7 billion. Apple’s Foxconn factory has been experiencing delays in production of the iPhone 5, and shortages of the device in places where it is already on sale and is causing even more demand for the product.

Apple has already mentioned that they will roll out the iPhone 5 to 100 more countries after the US and with the rapid release around the world, and will do so in about 2 months after the initial US release. Despite Apple not officially selling the iPhone in China, there are many in use across the country, brought in by resellers who have purchased them in other countries, mostly the United States.

As sales begin and gradually increase in China, the number of units being purchased for resale in the United States will stop. As a result, the production will finally catch up to the demand. China is a major growth opportunity for Apple, as CEO Tim Cook has mentioned in the past, and it will continue to be as demand for the company’s products grow more and more each year.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple revealed its iPhone 5 during a media event on September 12th, unveiling the new 4 inch iOS device, with LTE wireless, and a new A6 chip to the masses. Now, on the first day the company is slated to begin selling its new iPad mini in US retail stores, the Cupertino based company is also looking to launch the iPhone 5 in India, Greece, and numerous other countries.

According to AppleInsider, the iPhone 5 was expected to launch in India a week ago, but was pushed back a week to the current date of November 2nd. Indian users will now reportedly also be able to purchase App Store content in the native rupees as opposed to US dollars as before.

The iPhone 5, which has had the fastest rollout of any iPhone to date is also expected to be available in Mexico, Greece, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta, and Romania. The iPhone 5 will also launch in China later this December, as it is likely that Apple needs to pass through several legal issues and bans in certain regions of the country.

Apple’s iPhone 5 will be available in Black and Slate, as well as White and Silver although the white version may sell out faster than the black as it is usually experiences higher demand.

On Tuesday, Apple issued invitations for a media event on Tuesday, October 23rd, likely to introduce the rumored iPad Mini. The arrival of the invitation was first reported by The Loop, the invitation has numerous colors surrounding half of an Apple logo in the center, with a tagline that reads, “We’ve got a little more to show you.”

The design of the invitation is reflective of the one seen for the introduction of the original iPad, and the half Apple logo may likely reflect that the new device is smaller in design and screen size. Rumors last week suggested that Apple would be holding a media event on the 23rd and that invitations would be issued this week. At the event, which has also been rumored to be focused on iBooks, Apple is widely expected to introduce the new iPad Mini, a smaller, lighter version of a full sized iPad.

The iPad Mini is expected to carry a smaller 7 inch Retina Display or IGZO display technology, the new Lightning connector, as well as a variation of Apple’s A6 chip which is currently found in the iPhone 5. Initial reports also pointed to a tweaked full sized iPad with a Lightning connector and other improvements to make an appearance at the event, but a new report from Digitimes suggests that this may not happen until the first quarter of 2013.

Apple’s October 23rd event is going to be held at the California Theatre in San Jose, California and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple introduced the new A6 chip with the iPhone 5 in mid-September. It now appears that an iPad with an A6 chip is on the horizon. According to MacRumors, a developer pointed out to them that an “iPad3,6″ device was showing up in the analytics for an iOS application. According to the report, the processor is on the ARMv7s architecture. the same as the system-on-a-chip inside of the iPhone 5, or perhaps a variation of the current A6 chip.

This discovery may point to the fact that Apple is looking to release a smaller 7 inch iPad Mini, with the new Lightning connector standard as well as other new features. The variation noted may also be an “X” version of the latest chip. For example, following the release of the A5 chip, Apple introduced a slightly higher A5X to run in the new iPad. With the introduction of the A6 in the iPhone 5, Apple may introduce an A6X to run on the full sized iPad.

It is unclear when Apple plans to unveil a new version of the iPad, but it will definitely reflect some of the changes seen in the iPhone 5 and 5th generation iPod Touch, including a change in screen size, the new A6 or a variation of it, the Lightning connector, and the relocation of the headphone jack.

{Via MacRumors}

Following months of speculation and rumors, Apple’s SVP of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller took the stage on Wednesday to introduce the long awaited iPhone 5. The media event, which was scheduled a week ago pointed to such a release and now the device has finally been revealed.

The iPhone 5, as expected has a larger 4 inch screen, and runs all pre-installed apps with a larger vertical area, and runs non-optimized third party apps letterboxed. The home screen has been stretched out a bit to hold 5 rows of apps, as opposed to 4 and the display is still the Retina Display with a 1136 x 640 resolution. The iPhone 5 now has an aspect ratio close to 16:9 now, making it great for watching widescreen movies.

The iPhone 5 now also carries faster LTE networking which will be supported by Sprint, AT&T and Verizon in the United States, Rogers, Telus, Bell, Fido, Virgin in Canada and numerous other carriers overseas. The iPhone also includes WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n, and is dual-channel, up to 150Mbps, making it much faster than the iPhone 4S. All of the networking and the larger Retina Display is powered by an all new A6 chip produced by Apple.

The A6 chip is 22% smaller than its predecessor, the A5 and has a 2X faster CPU and 2x graphics compared to the A5. During the keynote, Apple invited up EA games to demo Real Racing 3, showing off new improvements in graphics performance. Other major changes include the larger, all metal and glass design leaked prior to the event, along with a relocated FaceTime camera above the earpiece. Other features include:

Battery

The larger battery in the iPhone 5 shell now allows 8 hours of 3G or LTE talk time or 10 hours on WiFi while browsing

Camera

The iPhone 5 will carry the same specs as the iPhone 4S camera but will do so in a much thinner package. It has the same 8-megapixels and a 5-element lens as the 4S but will have a Sapphire crystal lens cover for more clarity and durability. The new A6 will provide for less noise during image captures along with a “smart filter” for better color matching. Apple, as expected prior to the event will also be including Panorama imaging, capturing images at 28 megapixels in one clean sweep.

The company also updated the front facing FaceTime camera to 720P HD and backside illuminated. FaceTime is now also possible over Cellular announced during WWDC.

Audio

The iPhone now has 3 microphones, one on the front, one in front for noise cancellation, and one on the back.

Dock Connector

The dock connector, called Lightning, will be an all digital 8 pin design and is 80% thinner than the previous design. The Lightning charger can now be plugged in any way and does not have a designated side. There is also a converter for the new dock connector that has the ability to work with the current 30 pin connectors.

Apple’s iPhone 5, with all of its new improvements alongside iOS 6 will make this Apple’s most powerful iPhone to date. iOS 6 will be released to the public on September 19th and will ship on the new iPhone 5, and will run on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, 3GS, new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod touch.

The iPhone 5 will be available on contract for $199 for 16GB. $299 for 32GB, $399 for 64GB respectively. The iPhone 5 will be available for Pre-Order starting Friday the 14th and will be shipping on September 21st in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. It will be arriving to 20 more countries later this month.

{Image Credit: Engadget}

iPhone 5 leaks are continuing to appear on the web ahead of the release date event later today. A new report now publishes images of iPhone 5 logic board showing the new A6 chip. The Italian blog Apple.HDblog.it has posted new images which clearly show the details of the logic board of the sixth-gen iPhone.

In addition to A6 chip the iPhone 5 logic board shows Qualcomm MDM9615M LTE modem, which confirms earlier rumors about iPhone 5 supporting faster 4G LTE network. The photos seem to line up with recently leaked search page on Apple.com which lists a placeholder URL for LTE capabilities of the new iPhone.

As reported by MacRumors the logic board also reveals flash memory which is apparently being provided by Hynix and also goes on to show other chips that support features like WiFi, Bluetooth, gyroscope and accelerometer. Speculation suggests that A6 is believed to be a quad-core processor which could significantly enhance the phone’s computational capability and make advance apps like iPhoto to perform functions smoothly.

iPhone 5 media event will go live later today and it will be interesting to see if all the details that were revealed via rumors actually turn out to be true. Are you excited about the new iPhone 5? Based on all that you’ve read about the new iPhone will you be upgrading your phone? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

UPDATE: Apple has announced “The new iPad” with retina display, A5X chip with quad-core graphics, 5 MP iSight camera and more.

Apple is all set to unveil iPad 3 at today’s launch event but, new details about the upcoming product announcement continue to be revealed. iPad 3 specs have been widely reported as the third gen tablet is expected to feature retina display with a resolution of 2,048 by 1,536 pixels, a dual core A5X chip and now details about RAM have been published too.

A new report by The Verge reveals that in addition to “powerful GPU” iPad 3 specs will also include “more RAM”. 9to5 Mac was quick to point out that their sources claim Apple’s next generation tablet will include 1GB RAM. The new A5X chip is being now referred to as “A5 on steroids”. With a high resolution display on the new iPad it would require a powerful graphics processing unit and more RAM for fast and responsive applications.

Apple usually doesn’t reveal technical specification such as RAM in its keynote event or product descriptions. In the past RAM has only been confirmed when the device goes on sale and iPhone / iPad repair sites teardown the device and reveal specifications that are not published by Apple.

The rumor mill also seem to suggest that iPad 3 will finally bring LTE connectivity to Apple’s iOS device. The third generation iPad is expected to be available on Verizon and AT&T networks.

To be clear, that would mean two distinct, separate versions of the LTE tablet (one for each network). In addition, there’s a third international model which does double duty on 3G; a CDMA / GSM model using a similar radio chipset to the iPhone 4S (a Qualcomm Gobi chip).

Other specifications leaked so far point to a thicker iPad, better battery life, “Smart Case”, and improved cameras. Even though Apple has always aimed for its next iOS device to be thinner than the previous one it would be interesting to see if iPad 3 actually turns out to be thicker when compared with iPad 2.

Have you been waiting for LTE iPad? What are your expectations from the event? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

As iPad 3 release date announcement nears rumors about technical specification of the third-gen iPad continue to pour in. Apple on Tuesday sent invites to the media for iPad 3 keynote event which is scheduled to be held on March 7th, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

According to a tweet posted by CNBC Apple’s iPad 3 tech specs would include a quad-core processor and 4G LTE network capability. The tweet mentioned that the keynote event would be held in New York which turned out to be false as Apple has already confirmed the venue of the event.

Rumors surrounding iPad 3 tech specs have been circulating the web since a long time and most reports and speculation seem to agree on the fact that the third-generation iPad will feature a faster processor with enhanced graphics. While most reports suggest it will be a quad-core processor, an A5X SoC image has been leaked which suggests that Apple could be looking at introducing minor changes to its custom-built processor. The company is known to be working on A6 and A5X simultaneously so it will be interesting to see the official iPad 3 specification once the device is unveiled on March 7th.

In addition to a faster processor many rumors suggest Apple will finally introduce 4G LTE networking on iOS devices with the iPad 3. Apple has not shown much excitement when it comes 4G or LTE networks as the company believes that it could cause serious strain on the battery.

iPad 3 is also rumored to have a slightly thicker back panel to accommodate larger battery so it’s highly possible that with improved battery life Apple could bring 4G LTE to the iPad.

In addition to these tech specs, iPad 3 is expected to have retina display with a resolution of 2,048 by 1,536 pixels and a much improved rear-facing camera.

Apple earlier today sent out media invites for iPad 3 launch event which will be held on March 7th, Wednesday in San Francisco. The third-gen iPad will be unveiled at a keynote event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts at 10 a.m Pacific and 1 p.m Eastern time.

Last week we highlighted a report which suggested that Apple was planning a media event in first week of March and today the Cupertino, Calif. based company officially confirmed the event date. The invite sent out to media has image of an iPad with  Maps, Calendar and Keynote apps showing on the dock and the text reads “We have something you really have to see. And touch.”

Apple brought Retina Display to iOS devices with introduction of iPhone 4 and then it made its way to fourth-gen iPod touch. According to various rumors and speculation we’ve reported in the past, iPad 3 is widely expected to feature Retina Display with a resolution of 2,048 by 1,536 pixels and include a faster processor. While most evidences revealed in the past confirm the inclusion of Retina Display it’s still unclear if Apple will use a quad-core chip or a dual-core chip with enhanced graphics.

In addition to an improved display iPad 3 is also expected to feature better rear camera for taking photos however the front-facing camera might not receive any update. It is believed that in order to feature the high resolution display and better camera the iPad 3 might be thicker than iPad 2.

Apple is known to introduce complete product re-design every alternate year so iPad 3 is expected to retain the same design as iPad 2. The company could also introduce new Apple TV with “A5X” chip that could deliver 1080p content to your HD television.

Are you excited about iPad 3 launch event? What are your expectations from the event? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Apple has been busy getting iOS 5.1 software update ready for release as the company has been seeding beta to developers since November. As new beta updates were released details about future products, features and changes were revealed.

iOS 5.1 beta code had references to an unreleased iPad 2 model and then another beta release revealed that Apple will finally include ability to delete photos from Photo Stream from your iOS device.

In early January, details about the beta code pointing to quad-core A6 (A5X SoC) iPad 3 were widely reported and suggested that iPhone 5 and next gen iPad would support new processors. Now, according to a new leak iOS 5.1 software update will include a new camera button on the lock screen.

Among more than 200 new features which were introduced in iOS 5 Apple enabled a lock screen camera button to enable users to capture important moments quickly. When you double-tap the home button to reveal the quick camera access button instead of the regular button iOS 5.1 will now have a slider. When you slide the camera icon upwards it will launch the camera app so that you take photos with your iPhone / iPod touch camera.

BlogdoiPhone who gained access to “pre-GM” version of iOS 5.1 also claim that the upcoming update will finally include support for Japanese Siri.

We recently highlighted another rumor which suggested that code in operator profiles mentioned iOS 5.1 release date as March 9th. iPad 3 launch event is expected to be held on March 7th and it will be interesting to see if Apple mentions the release date for iOS 5.1 during the event.

{via MacRumors}

A forum post on Chinese site WeiPhone revealed an image of what they claim to be the logic board of an iPad 3 sporting an ‘A5X’ system-on-a-chip (SoC). The iPad 3 has been rumored to receive an upgrade in processing power, likely quad core, and is widely expected to be called the A6 chip.

Apple introduced the A4 chip with the iPhone 4, which was also leaked prior to its announcement, followed by the announcement of the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S with the dual-core A5 chip. If this photo is to be believed, then rumors of Apple releasing an A6 chip could be considered incorrect and Apple could be releasing an upgrade in processing power for the iPad 3.

The A5X chip is branded with a date code of “1146”, suggesting that it was likely manufactured during the 46th week of 2011, anywhere from November 14-20. Part numbers of the processors also reveal information about its progression, with Apple’s A4 coming in at S5L8930X, the A5 as the S5L8940X and the new iPad processor as S5L8945X, hinting at a minor upgrade from the current A5.

Other details on the leaked logic board suggest that this in fact, may be genuine, including 16 GB flash memory chips from Hynix and a rectangular Apple-branded chip. Apple is expected to announce the iPad 3 release date at a media event on March 7th with a higher resolution screen, possible 4G LTE networking, as well as a more tapered design, and has also been rumored to receive the same 8 megapixel camera as in the iPhone 4S.

{via MacRumors}

Apple’s next gen iPad rumored to be called “iPad 3″ is expected to receive a 2048×1536 Retina display, a quad-core A6 system-on-a-chip, and possibly 4G LTE networking. Apple is consistently changing product cycle for the announcement of their next generation products, which was seen during the release of the iPhone 4S and the iPod refresh in 2011.

There have been many conflicting reports as to whether Apple will be retaining the current Apple A5 SoC, or switching to Quad Core A6 chip, which is almost double the power and would be able to handle a significant amount of usage and provide more RAM for applications.

Another interesting move by Apple could be 4G LTE networking, which is most notably available on Verizon and AT&T’s networks, which would allow the iPad to surf, download and upload at significantly faster than the current 3G speeds. However, many reports also deny that Apple will make the change to 4G LTE, with the high speed network still being in infancy and still being tested. It would be very un-Apple like to move to 4G LTE, which is a very risky move as it hasn’t been available for too long, making it very likely that Apple won’t be moving to LTE networks until the iPhone 5 at least.

As for the iPad 3’s cameras, rumors from iLounge suggest that Apple is looking to include a 5 or 8 megapixel rear camera and a FaceTime HD front camera. While the 5 megapixel camera seems more realistic for the iPad 3, an HD FaceTime camera seems unlikely.

Speculations of hardware additions for the iPad 3 have been circulating over the past few weeks, suggesting that the device is around the corner. Expect more rumors to surface in the coming weeks and around the first week of March.

Many claims of an ARM based MacBook Air have been floating around the web since early last year, suggesting that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is looking to move away from Intel’s processors to something a little bit more unorthodox in desktop and laptop computers.

The ARM processor is the same one used in AAPL’s current iPhone 4S and iPad 2, which use far less power than the average processor and handles memory and app switching without many glitches or errors.

The ARM processor in next Macbook Air could possibly reduce power-requirements, but could experience a severe drop in computing power. CNet reported on a recent interview with Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer on Thursday by Citigroup analyst Richard Gardner who addressed the issue regarding an ARM based Macbook Air.

Tim Cook reiterated his view that rapid innovation on the iOS platform (and mobile OS platforms in general) will significantly broaden the use case for tablets, eventually pushing annual tablet volumes above those of traditional PCs. We have wondered whether Apple might offer an ARM-based version of MacBook Air at some point; we walked away from this meeting with the impression that Apple feels iPad satisfies–or will soon satisfy–the needs of those who might have been interested in such a product.

With Gardner’s claims gaining attention around the web and his meetings with Apple executives being taken very seriously, it is safe to say that the iPad will eventually evolve and adapt to handle many functions that the proposed ARM based Macbook Air could.

Rumors since early last year have suggested that the iPad will be gaining a significant upgrade in the coming months. The iPad 3 is expected to receive a higher resolution display, a new A6 chip, and better cameras and is slated for release later this year.

Many tablets have been introduced in the market from companies looking to create the “iPad killer”. Top contenders include the Motorola Xoom and Kindle Fire, which failed to follow through with the original hype that it created upon release.

On Tuesday, following Apple’s announcement of their 4th quarter earnings for 2011, an analyst during the earnings call, asked Apple CEO Tim Cook if the iPad was impacted by lower priced tablets. Cook, as a reply, noted that Apple sold a record 15.4 million iPads and that Apple doesn’t consider “limited function tablets and e-readers to be in the same category as the iPad”.

Cook also noted that ecosystem for the iPad is “in a class by itself”. Tim Cook may have a point as it proves true during sales, where customers seem to gravitate towards product that offer a more solidified user experience, simplifying email, web, and desktop computer integration seamlessly, all of which iOS does very well.

We strongly believe in optimizing applications from day one to take advantage of the larger canvas. There are only a few hundred apps designed for the competition, versus more than 170,000 apps designed specifically for iPad. People who want an iPad won’t settle for a limited function tablet.

However, Cook wasn’t the only person praising the iPad. A number of executives from the Cupertino company have said that tablets are going to overtake the PC market in units and according to IDC, tablets outsold desktop PC’s last quarter on a unit basis in the United States. Following his statements about the iPad, Cook also mentioned that Apple will “continue to innovate like crazy” and will compete with any tablet out in the market.

Apple is consistently leading the smart phone and tablet market, guided by Steve Jobs’ quote from famous hockey player Wayne Gretzky, “Skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been”. Apple’s advanced intuition of the trends helps them to adjust their new product lines to the ever shifting technology market.

Apple is expected to announce the iPad 3 sometime between February and March, with a new A6 chip, higher resolution screen, and better cameras.

On Tuesday, Japanese site Macotakara reported that Apple is planning to hold an iPad event in early February to announce the iPad 3, which is expected to arrive with iOS 5.1. The website pointed out that they had an Asian supplier and a source in the U.S who could confirm these rumors.

Although the iPad 3 is expected to be announced in February, other rumors suggest that the iPad 3 will actually be released in March, the same as the iPad 2 which arrived on March 11. This long delay could be in part because of the Chinese New Year which is going to be celebrated from January 23 to the 28th.

Foxconn and Pegatron, two of Apple’s main suppliers are expected to start shipping the device to the Apple Stores in early March, likely for a mid-March release. The iPad 3 has long been rumored to include a higher resolution display, as well as the introduction of the A6 chip and better 2 megapixel camera, up from 0.9 megapixels.

Macotakara has a mixed track record with the release of Apple products, correctly reporting on Apple’s iPad 2 and iPhone 4S but incorrectly suggesting that Apple would be releasing a Macbook Air with high-speed 400MBps flash memory and that a fifth-generation iPhone would feature an aluminum back.

If the event is scheduled for February we can expect media invites to be sent out in the first week of the next month. It will be interesting to see if Apple will finally bring the retina display to the iPad, which will certainly make the poplar tablet worth an upgrade for many users.

{via AppleInsider}

iOS beta code has often revealed details about Apple’s upcoming devices. According to a new report published by 9to5Mac iOS 5.1 beta code has evidence that points to a quad-core A6 chip which is rumored to debut with iPhone 5 and iPad 3.

The references to quad-core iPhone and iPad chips come by way of a hidden panel that describes cores that are supported by iOS device hardware. The updated core management software includes an option of “/cores/core.3,” and this represents a fourth available processing core…

Apple’s custom A4 chip had a single core and then with the introduction of iPad 2 and iPhone 4S Apple introduced a dual-core A5 chip. Various rumors and reports by analysts suggest that Apple will introduce quad-core A6 chip.

The fourth generation device’s code contains option for “cores/core.1″ suggesting dual-core chip while the reference found in iOS 5.1 beta additionally mentions “cores/core.3″ suggesting the fact that Apple’s software could support quad-core devices in near future.

It is widely believed that Apple will introduce iPad 3 in March and iPhone 5 in July. Both devices are rumored to feature the A6 chip but only the iPhone is expected to see a major redesign while the iPad 3 will only see modest changes in hardware.

{via MacRumors}

The jailbreak community has always tried and been successful in giving users more options to customize their iOS device. Even as Apple tries its best to plug the security holes and bugs to get rid of ‘jailbreak’ the community continues to find new bugs and release updated tools to make jailbreaking possible.

The latest hack being developed by iOS developers Steven Troughton-Smith and TheMudKip is for second gen Apple TV that enables you to run iPhone / iPad apps at full screen on your HDTV. In order to achieve this the developers used a coded a custom Springboard for a jailbroken Apple TV.

Second gen Apple TV includes Apple’s A4 chip which is also used in fourth gen iPhone and iPod touch. A video posted on YouTube by the developers shows that iOS apps run quite well on the Apple TV. This is just a proof of concept as the hack appears to be still under development and not available for the public as yet.

Apple has been rumored to be developing Apple television and various rumors and reports in the past have suggested that the company could introduce apps specifically for its television and even expand iTunes store content to offer users more reasons to buy Apple’s television.

In Steve Jobs’ biography it was first time revealed that Apple was indeed researching a simple interface for the television and that Jobs had finally figured the way to build a TV with “simplest user interface you could imagine,”.

{via MacRumors}

Apple’s iPad 3 is expected to be released anytime in the next two months as various reports and analysts have suggested February – March time frame. The third gen tablet from Apple has been rumored to include retina display, feature A6 chip and have a thinner design.

Now, according to a new report published by Digitimes, Apple could be looking at using IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) flat panel instead of IPS (in-plane switching panel) in order to deliver retina display without compromising on the design.

Starting with the new iPads, Apple will utilize IGZO panels from Sharp in order to upgrade the display resolution of the new tablets to full HD level, the sources indicated.

Jefferies analyst Peter Mesek in a research note reported by Forbes mentioned that Apple could use modified IGZO technology to achieve 330dpi which will bring “retina display” to the iPad. Mesek also noted that the use of this technology will allow Apple to avoid adding thickness to the device and also help in achieving longer battery life.

Low cost of manufacturing IGZO displays and delivering high resolution in terms of ppi are some of the benefits Apple could be looking at utilizing for the iPad 3. While we don’t expect Apple to introduce all-new design, retina display and battery improvements could certainly add great value to the iPad.

Recent leaked photos of the retina display of iPad 3 also seem to confirm Digitimes report and it will be interesting to see if Apple traditions from IPS displays to IGZO display for its third generation tablet.

{via MacRumors}

On Tuesday, a report from BGR suggested that Apple is planning to launch a completely redesigned iPhone 5 in the fall of next year. With Apple’s trend of releasing iPhones dubbed with ‘S’ followed by a redesign, it is very likely that Apple will redesign the back of the iPhone 5 with an all aluminum back, getting rid of Apple’s current all glass design.

The report also suggests that the new fifth gen iPhone will include a plastic bumper of sorts, possibly to keep direct skin contact away from the antennas on the bezel of the iPhone. With the introduction of the iPhone 4, Apple experienced a press meltdown with customers suggesting that skin contact with the antenna would drop calls and bars on the network. The plastic would resemble a bumper of some sorts, with the antenna lying underneath.

We have also learned that Apple is planning to use a rubber or plastic material — similar to the material used in the company’s bumper cases — that will be built into the new iPhone case. In all likelihood, this material will be used as a bezel surrounding the front edge of the phone (like the iPhone 3GS bezel) and it will serve two purposes. First, it will join the glass iPhone face with a new aluminum back plate. It will also cover a redesigned antenna system that surrounds the device, allowing Apple to build the rear case out of aluminum without having to use a large plastic insert above the antennas as the company does on its iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G.

Apple’s iPhone 5 with a redesign, A6 chip, and Siri improvements is expected to be released sometime in Fall 2012, similar to the release of the iPhone 4S. It is also possible that Apple was set to introduce the iPhone 5 this year, but delay in getting Siri ready for release pushed the release to 2012, and reused the iPhone 4 design for the iPhone 4S. Various announcement dates have been speculated for the new iPhone, including a February through April timeframe, and the new Fall 2012 time frame.

{via MacRumors}

Rumors of Apple’s iPad 3 have been swirling for quite some time now, from speculations on design, camera improvements, and performance boosts from an A6 chip. However, on Monday, an image published by 9to5Mac showed what was claimed to be two iPad home buttons. One was that of the current iPad 2, and the other was claimed to be that of an iPad 3, expected for release early next year.

The ‘iPad 3’ home button is visibly smaller than that of the iPad 2 and highlights a smaller icon on the face. While this may be a small cosmetic tweak by Apple, it is very likely that Apple may be looking to do away with the home button altogether or may be planning a smaller bezel of some sorts. Rumors of a 7” iPad also emerged this past weekend, and it could be in connection with these images.

Steve Jobs, prior to his resigning from CEO out rightly stated that a 7” iPad is too small, and 10” is the standard for a comfortable experience. If Apple is going to minimize the iPad in some form, the home button is definitely a great indication to gauge future screen and bezel sizes. The iPad 3 is expected to be announced sometime early next year, between the months of February and April, much like the announcement of the original iPad an iPad 2.

What do you think this means? Would you be interested in purchasing a 7” iPad?

{via MacRumors}

A local Chinese-language newspaper reported Friday that iPad3 might be launched on Feb. 24 to mark the anniversary of the birth of Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs.

Citing sources close to Taiwanese makers in the iPad3 supply chain, the Economic Daily News said the gadget could be launched in mid-first quarter of next year or by the end of next March.

It has also been reported that workers at iPad component suppliers as well as workers at Foxconn will have limited time off during the usual Lunar New Year holiday and may be working over time in order to get the iPad 3 available in the market in time.

The lunar holiday is usually January 23rd, and workers receive several days off around the time, however, with the iPad 3 now pegged for a February 24th announcement to honor of Steve Jobs.

The iPad 3 is expected to receive new features including Siri, and other hardware changes. The third ten tablet from Apple could feature the all-new A6 chip and a higher resolution display.

In Mid-July, parts for a claimed iPad 3 surfaced, unleashing a slew of rumors suggesting that Apple was planning a release for the next generation iPad as early as October. When such speculation failed to materialize, the new rumored date for release is expected to be early 2012, quite possibly February.

On Thursday, new images of what appears to be a ribbon and a dock connector for the claimed iPad 3 have once again surfaced, giving way to a whole new plethora of rumors, suggesting that Apple is now manufacturing the devices or already has prototypes of the iPad 3.

Another image of the iPad’s power button flex cable has surfaced alongside the images from July, leading to more speculation. Cydia Blog reported on Thursday that these parts are now only 2-3 pieces of multiple pieces of the iPad, including the microphone flex cable, which are available through a Chinese parts dealer, TVC-Mall.com.

The new part, when compared with iPad 2, shows a different arrangement in internal circuitry, hinting a major re-design. The tail end of the part makes a “U-turn”, whereas the iPad 2′s Microphone Mic Flex Cable makes almost 90-degree turn both ways. Except for few details, the leaked part so far doesn’t offer a tantalizing tease.

Changes to the internal features of the iPad does not suggest that the exterior will be different, as the iPad 2 underwent a major design change from the original iPad, adding on 2 cameras, and a new thin exterior. The iPad may undergo small changes on the 3G model, moving to universal support for carriers, possibly adding on Sprint to its current offerings from AT&T and Verizon.

The iPad is very likely to retain its same form factor, although many reports in the past have suggested that the iPad may be thicker to support more features than the current iPad 2. If that was to be true, there is no doubt that Apple would be upgrading the iPad camera to anything above a 3 mega pixel. The iPad is rumored to launch early next year, with Apple’s A6 chip (which debuts concurrently with iPad announcements), and camera upgrades.