The publication quotes Taipei-based analyst Jeff Pu who suggests that Largan Precision Co, a major smartphone camera lens supplier to Apple Inc. will “face limited earnings” due to slow transition to higher-resolution lenses.
Pu said that the camera specifications of the next-generation iPhone, dubbed iPhone 6S, will stay the same as the current iPhone 6 at 8-megapixels, limiting potential catalysts to push Largan’s stock price higher in the second half of the year.
The report published by Taipei Times contradicts Daring Fireball’s John Gruber belief that Apple may be working on major camera improvements for the next iPhone.
Apple has been following a pattern when it comes to launching new iPhone each year. The company introduces an all-new design one year and then follows up with the same design but with new processor and camera enhancements.
Most companies have launched new phones with more megapixels each year whereas Apple has retained the 8 megapixel camera since the iPhone 4s but, improved the sensor and added new technologies to allow users to take better photos.
Apple leads the list of most popular cameras on Flickr and to retain that spot the company would need to continue making the iPhone camera better each year. It will be interesting to see if Apple features a higher megapixel camera in the new iPhone. The new iPhones are likely to be unveiled sometime near September this year.
]]> https://touchreviews.net/details-iphone-6s-camera-module-emerge/feed/ 0
Refining existing products and continually experimenting with new materials has been an integral part of Apple’s new product development strategy. Securing long term deals for components that are used in iOS devices has become fairly common. From touch screens, flash storage to even bulk booking of courier services, Apple’s strategy has been to invest in long term healthy supply of components.
Apple uses Sapphire to protect the iPhone camera lens and now the iPhone 5s also uses it as a protective cover for Touch ID sensor. According to a new report published by AllThingsD, Apple is building a factory in Arizona to boost the manufacturing of sapphire. GT Advanced Technologies earlier this week announced that they have secured a multi-year deal with Apple to manufacture sapphire in the Arizona facility.
As a part of the deal between the two companies GT will supply and manage sapphire production and in return Apple will prepay approximately $570 million. The new facility will result in more than 2000 jobs in engineering, manufacturing and construction according to Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet. It was also revealed that the facility will run on 100 percent renewable energy from day one.
GT is expected to research and develop larger capacity furnaces to increase the production of sapphire and as a result reduce cost of the component. Apple’s increased interest in sapphire is certainly an indication of it becoming an integral part of future devices from the company.
Many are speculating that sapphire could possibly replace Corning Gorilla Glass, which has been used in more than 1.5 billion devices worldwide. This is based on the fact that sapphire is used in the high end watches. However, corning has come forward and published articles on why they don’t view sapphire as a threat.
Although sapphire is a leading product for the cover of watches and camera lenses, many of its features are not well suited for use in the consumer electronics industry.
According to tests performed by Corning, sapphire fails to provide the same durability when used at the same thinness as Gorilla Glass. However, the company agrees with the fact that sapphire is is harder to scratch.
It’s possible that Apple may use sapphire in the rumoured iWatch. Since watches are more prone to scratches the use of sapphire could make the product more resistant to scratches.
Apple is expected to introduce the new smart watch dubbed as “iWatch” in 2014. The watch is rumoured to provide a ‘connected’ experience. It will also feature sensors to track health related data. Samsung has already launched its own smart watch called Samsung Gear but the reviews haven’t been favourable. It will be interesting to see if Apple’s idea of a smart watch excites customers and if it manages to become a ubiquitous part of our lives.
]]> https://touchreviews.net/apple-invests-gt-advanced-technologies-sapphire/feed/ 0
We’ve all see wooden iPhone 4S cases before, maybe not in person but certainly in magazines and on gadget shows. They make seem great in theory but are they really practical or should they just remain a novelty item?
Well about 10 days ago I recieved a wooden iPhone 4S case from Photojojo, a company more renowned for its camera accessories than its iPhone cases, and I’ve been using it ever since.
The twist with this case that enables it to fit in with the other items sold at Photojojo is the fact that the case is modeled to look like a camera.
The case comes in two parts, the top half slides down over the top of the phone while the bottom slides up and interlocks with the top piece. It’s a snug fit and the lining on the inside of the case ensures that the case doesn’t easily slide off.
The finish is smooth and the whole case is lighter than I expected to be and if you’re worried that you may get a splinter I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
The case provides easy access to all the ports and buttons including the camera lens. The camera design on the back acts as iPhone camouflage when taking pictures making it look like, from some angle at least, like you are using an old school camera.
If you’re concerned about the environment then there is no need to be as the trees used in these cases come from sustainable forests and while at $42 it may not be the cheapest case you can get its certainly eye-catching and unique. You can purchase the case from here plus they’ll throw in a free screen protector too!
The wooden iPhone 4 / 4S camera case from Photojojo is both quirky, unique and practical in equal measure making it an easy decision to purchase if you want to stand out from the crowd, especially if you have a passion for photography.
[rating: 4/5]What we like:
What to know:
When the iPhone 4S was released with its improved rear facing camera it quickly become one of the most popular devices for taking pictures. Of course that’s also due to the fact that as Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Barry Staver once said in regard to what’s the best camera, “It’s the one you have with you.”.
There are now multiple accessories that you can add to your iPhone 4S to enhance its photo taking qualities and the latest is the Olloclip a three in one pocket sized kit that includes a Fisheye, wide-angle and macro lens.
One of the great things about the Olloclip is it’s size and the fact that all the lenses are in one piece with the macro lens being accessed by unscrewing the wide-angle lens. This means that it’s very easy to carry with you especially given that it comes with it’s own little carrying case.
The lens fits the top left corner of the iPhone, coincidentally exactly where the iPhones camera lens is! It slides into place with a slither cut out to fit over the sleep button and while it fits tighlty enough to stay in place while taking photo’s you won’t want to throw your iPhone around too much as the Olloclip may fall off.
With the lens in place you are ready to take your pictures, presuming you’ve remembered to take the lens cap off of course! The results are pretty impressive, using my beloved Mini Cooper as my inspiration I first took a picture without a lens and then two shots, one with the wide-angle lens and another with the fisheye, the results of which you can see attached, and both impressed me very much, especially the additional real estate that was added to the wide-angle photograph.
Some additional shots from closer up emphasized the fisheye results and all of these were taken within seconds of each other thanks to how easily the Olloclip is to switch out. I then moved inside to take some shots with the macro lens.
Using a dime I took a picture as close as I could both with and without the Olloclip macro lens and considering I was inside using artificial light I was still impressed with the the results especially considering the slight camera shake! I look forward to attempting to getting some closeup shots outdoors of some wildlife once the weather warms up a little.
The Olloclip retails at $69.99 and is available via their website given the impressive results that it produces it’s well worth it. It a pocket sized powerhouse that really packs a punch.
What we like:
What to know:
Gallery
]]>
https://touchreviews.net/olloclip-review-iphone-4s-camera-lens/feed/ 0