Apple’s 7.9 inch tablet, the iPad mini is due for a refresh this fall and according to a new report the next gen iPad mini will have an almost bezel free design. We recently highlighted another report which claimed that Apple is facing shortage of retina display supply that could result in retina iPad mini launch to be delayed until 2014.

DigiTimes published a repot citing sources that claim Apple will introduce a redesigned version of the iPad mini to give the next-gen 7.9 inch tablet an almost bezel free look. The current iPad mini design already features a very narrow bezel to it is unclear how the company will accomplish this. The report further highlights that retina display iPad mini won’t be available for this holiday season however, customers can expect a refresh this fall with improved technical specifications.

While the new iPad mini may not be availabe during the year-end shopping season, Apple reportedly may first release a slightly updated version of the current iPad mini in the second half of 2013, which is expected to be lighter, thinner and equipped with improved specifications, the sources said.

Apple clearly dominates the tablet market space which is evident by the total mobile web share. The company has a very aggressive marketing strategy for its tablet product line-up. The introduction of a small 7.9 inch tablet gives Apple an edge to dominate the market further by entering the small screen tablet segment. The company does not want to give any room to its competitors to compete in this segment.

Tablet product category was revolutionised by Apple and it was the first company to sell it in large numbers. The product refresh cycle for tablets has become shorter since the third and fourth gen 10-inch tablet as both were introduced in less than a year.

New photo of iPad 5 bezel and digitizer have appeared online again. Apple.pro has published new image that appears to be of the upcoming fifth-generation iPad. This is not the first time we are seeing these images. The rumor mill in the past has leaked photos that claim to be of Apple’s next gen tablet.

The upcoming iPad 5 is expected to receive a new design similar to the iPad mini. Recent rumors and leaked images all suggest that iPad 5 will get a “narrower” bezel. The photo above was published to a Photobucket account, it shows the bezel and ribbon cable of the digitizer of the rumored fifth-gen iPad.

Apple announced the fourth-gen iPad and iPad mini in October last year and it’s likely that the company will announce the new iPad during the same time frame this year. While recent leaks all point to new hardware design for the next iPad however, the authenticity of the photo is difficult to establish.

Product leaks have become fairly common for Apple since the iPhone 4, even as Tim Cook last year during All Things D suggested he wanted to double down on product leaks, it is still an issue for Apple. With leaks about upcoming products the sales of Apple’s existing product line up take a huge hit which has been evident in Apple’s annual financial report following any major product launch.

{via MacRumors}

Update : NowhereElse.fr has revealed that the photo above is of an iPad mini part taken from a Chinese part vendor.

The web has been abuzz for the past several weeks, with reports suggesting that Apple is looking to release a thinner and lighter iPad 5. Earlier this week, photos of what was claimed to be the iPad 5 (fifth generation iPad) surfaced, with what appeared to be a nearly identical albeit larger body.

Now, a new report from Digitimes claims that Apple will be adopting the same G/F2 (DITO) thin-film display technology currently in use in the iPad mini for the upcoming refresh of the full-sized iPad. Digitimes also claims that the new displays would come from a mix of different suppliers.

The supply chain for Apple’s next-generation 9.7-inch iPad will be similar to the iPad mini’s, with Japan-based Nitto expected to supply thin-film materials and Nissha Printing touch screen modules, noted the sources. Taiwan-based TPK will be responsible for the device’s lamination while LG Display (LGD) and Sharp will provide panels.

It is likely that by ordering displays from a number of different suppliers, Apple can avoid supply constraints as with the iPad mini and delays in the event that one of the suppliers had issues with production. Supply constraints on the iPad mini, which were related to this display technology have since been resolved, however, it is unclear if the suppliers will run into further issues producing displays for a larger sized screen.

However, in the photos released earlier, the claimed fifth gen iPad appeared to be smaller than the current full-sized model, so it is unclear exactly what Apple plans to do to address any potential display issues.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple’s iPad mini has been around for several months, and with device consistently increasing in popularity, it is no surprise that part productions for the device have also increased. According to a report from Reuters, Sharp is reducing the production of the 9.7” displays for the fourth generation iPad, due to the popularity of the iPad mini.

This production is reportedly in response to a shift in demand from the full-sized iPad to the mini after a slowdown in late 2012. Two sources who reported to Reuters noted that 9.7” displays have “fallen to a minimal level” at the company’s Kameyama plant in Japan.

The sources didn’t say how much of the slowdown was due to seasonal changes in demand or consumers opting for the smaller iPad mini and were unable to characterize Apple’s overall tablet sales.

Apple has already experienced a whirlwind of negativity and has seen a decline in its stock price after the web became abuzz with reports that the company was cutting iPhone 5 orders due to weak demand for the product. Despite these reports being reiterated by many major news outlets, a number of other analysts have negated these claims in support of the iPhone 5.

With reduced production of the fourth gen iPad displays, it is possible that the Cupertino company is looking to release a newer model, likely with a different type of screen. This may be the first time that Apple includes an IGZO display in its iPad, as previously reported. KGI securities analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo has mentioned that Apple’s next iPad will be significantly lighter and thinner. The ‘iPad 5’ may include a better screen, updated cameras, and a faster processor.

{Via AppleInsider}

iPad 3 is widely expected to feature retina display with a resolution of 2,048 by 1,536 pixels and now according to a new report it may be called ‘iPad HD’. Apple’s media invite had image of an iPad and text that read, “We have something you really have to see. And touch.”

Apple highlighting “something you really have to see” is being dubbed as high resolution display and the company could also give the “HD” moniker to the next iPad. Gizmodo recently reported that iPhone / iPad accessory manufacturers Griffin and Belkin have allegedly updated part listings which show cases for “iPad HD”.

Accessory manufacturers often get specifications for Apple’s next gen products in order to have accessories ready when the product hits the market. However, details such as name of the device is unlikely to be disclosed. Third party accessory manufactures have been known to design and take pre-orders for unannounced products and base their case designs on rumors that are being reported.

Apps tailored specifically for the iPad often carry the “HD” moniker since the graphics are enhanced for the large display and now with retina display the name “iPad HD” might not be a bad choice. However, if Apple deviates from following the ‘number’ pattern for the third gen tablet it would be odd to go back and call fourth gen tablet ‘iPad 4′.

Do you think the inclusion of retina display will make Apple call its next tablet iPad HD? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

The high resolution images were reportedly found in the framework for integrating Twitter into Apple’s upcoming software update. The size was reported to be the double of 1,024×768 which implied that iPad 3 with retina display could support 2,048×1,536 resolution display.

Since, similar rumors made rounds when such images were found in iBooks app for first gen tablet we can’t be sure if this is strong indicator of retina display in third gen iPad.

Rumors about iPad 3 launch this September have been widely discussed but no credible evidence has been uncovered as yet. DigiTimes previously published a story which claimed that Apple has begun certifying parts for the next iPad and is looking at unveiling the product in 2012.

Apple could be preparing a high resolution display for the next iPad and it will be interesting to see what the company has in store for us.

The rumour mill is already speculating that Apple’s third gen tablet, iPad 3, could feature 3D display. RCR Wireless blog claims that according to “Hollywood insider close to the big movie studios” iPad 3 will most definitely support 3D display and major film studios are already preparing 3D content in time for Apple’s annual tablet launch event in 2012.

Even though in 2010 we saw many companies adopting 3D display technology it hasn’t seen major adoption worldwide as most displays require you to wear special 3D glasses. However, with handheld gaming consoles like Nintendo 3DS implementing 3D technology without requiring 3D glasses we could certainly expect the same on an iPad.

While we could certainly expect retina display in iPad 3 we are still not very convinced about Apple moving to 3D display just yet.

Do you think iPad 3 will feature 3D display? Let us know what you think.

The suppliers have indicated that that next-gen iPad could feature 7-inch Retina Display, camera, 128GB capacity, and a “micro or mini USB” port.

Would Apple have two ports on a mobile device? Doubtful. Would they get rid of the current connector design? Perhaps. Some reason that it is to comply with EU regulations on the charging of mobile devices.

It is unclear if this is yet another model in the iPad range, or to be the new iPad. It seems extremely unlikely that Apple would want to change the form factor of the existing iPad, which has been part of its success in my opinion. So, it seems that if this new iPad exists it might be a new model that fits into Apple’s range in-between the iPod Touch and the current iPad. Although, the Wall Street analyst quoted seems to imply that this smaller iPad will replace the current version.

Many of us see the smaller size of some of Apple’s competitor’s upcoming Tablet computers as a disadvantage, but perhaps Apple see a threat in that form factor in the market, and wants to plug it with a device we are already familiar with. One of theirs, that runs iOS!

128GB seems a bit of a leap in storage. But perhaps that is for a high end model.

It also seems unlikely that Apple would leave the existing iPad camera-less if they launched this mini-iPad. So, this information, if true, tends to lend weight to the argument that the next full size iPad will get a bump at around the same time. Assuming it still exists.

Some of the rumors coming out of the people quoted in this story are fairly wild. So I’d take them with a pinch of salt. 45 million iPads being sold in 2011, and AAPL hitting $430 in the next 12 months are certainly optimistic predictions.
Not impossible. But optimistic.

A new iPad to replace the old? Or is Apple expanding its product range? Have your say in the comments.

So what then is next from Apple? There are lots of rumors and expected products in the pipeline but what has the best chance of seeing the light of day? The following is a brief rundown of what we can expect in the coming months:

• iPod Touch – If history is any guide, the release of the iPhone 4 should herald a new iPod Touch release at the September event. We can be assured the new Touch will take the same basic body and design cues as the new smartphone. A camera in the new Touch is also a given. For reasons that may never be known, the camera was yanked out of the third generation iPod Touch announced last year. Perhaps it was a hardware problem, perhaps it was a supply problem; nothing was ever officially acknowledged. At the bare minimum, the fourth generation Touch will have the sensor found in the iPhone 3GS and at best the 5MP sensor recently introduced in the iPhone 4. My bet would be on the lower resolution sensors since the supply chain is in place and Apple wouldn’t want to impinge on the supply of new cameras to the iPhone 4. Regardless, a camera will be a welcome addition. We should also see the new Touch retain many of the new Apple internals like the A4 processor that now powers the iPad and iPhone 4. The one thing I doubt the new Touch will have is the forward facing camera and FaceTime application. During the keynote Jobs may an oblique reference to 10 million devices being FaceTime capable by the end of the year. Some have speculated this might mean he expects that many iPhones to sell well others say he meant he expects universal adoption of Apple’s new standard. What ever he might of meant, I don’t think he meant the iPod Touch. Apple likes to keep the Touch just hobbled enough that anyone on the fence will buy an iPhone instead of a Touch.
• Apple TV – Although I didn’t really expect the new Apple TV to be announced on Monday, I did have an irrational hope it would. A streaming Apple TV for $99 USD has the potential to blow the doors off the competition. Not necessarily because it brings anything new to the technology table, Boxee and Roku are already well entrenched in the market, but because of the size of Apple’s content library. The real genius of a streaming model over a local storage scheme is that your purchases are readily available from any connection on the planet. If the new Apple TV is indeed as small as an iPhone or Touch, you could disconnect and take it with you where ever you go. As long as you were within the range of an accessible Wi-Fi signal, you could watch your content. No more lugging around a laptop or media computer. Since Apple TV has always been lumped in with the iPod end of Apple, I expect we should see the new Apple TV in September at the iPod event. A well positioned and affordably priced streaming solution from Apple should sell like hot cakes during the Christmas shopping season.
• iTunes – Again, the irrationally hopeful part of my mind wished for streaming iTunes content to be announced on Monday even when the rational part of my mind knew otherwise. Streaming iTunes content is coming, the LaLa purchase confirms that. With no real impetus to rush to market, Apple is taking its time to perfect the product. Due to the connection with iPods and Apple TV, look for this announcement to finally hit the streets in September as well. Apple is ready to move into the cloud and revolutionize content consumption once more.
• Magic Trackpad – Everyone hanging out at a gadget blog or Apple rumor site on Monday saw this little beauty. Unless this is an amazing KIRF or Chinese knock-off, look for the Magic Trackpad to make an appearance some time between now and the Christmas season. It is the perfect input device for any Apple owner, iPad or Mac alike. If this is an Apple product it is coming. Soon.
• iPad – Is it insane we’re discussing new iPads already? This is on the far end of the spectrum but most certainly in the pipe. The most obvious upgrades for the next iteration of the iPad is the front facing camera and FaceTime. If video chat really takes off with the iPhone look for it to become an almost ubiquitous feature on every portable Apple device. In some ways, the iPhone 4 will be the real world test bed for the new feature. Lessons learned from it will be applied to the next iPad and so on through the product lines. If it doesn’t become a popular feature, Apple may just bury it like they did with the current line of Apple TV. My sense though is that we’ll see a lot of new iPhone owners walking around with their new devices pointed at their face so look for this in the new iPad. Otherwise, about the only other features I could see added to a new iPad are increased storage and lower price points.

In any other company, the iPhone would have been the culmination of effort that required rest and recuperation. To Apple it is a product among many interconnecting and interdependent projects. While the iPhone is the end of one of these projects, you can bet the iPhone development team is busy at work today on the next iteration as are their R&D colleagues. I’m looking forward to what the rest of the year brings from Apple as they continue to consistently produce great consumer electronics.

Do you have any predictions for the next Apple products? Is there something in particular you’d like to see in the coming months? New iPod Touch? New Apple TV? Leave us your thoughts.

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The entire article is worth a read if you are interested in the full technical details of what Intrinsity do, some Apple history, and the financials involved in the purchase of Intrinsity.

What the article adds up to is that Apple may have collaborated with Samsung (through Intrinsity) on the design of the A4, which is little more than a branch of The Hummingbird CPU that Samsung uses in their devices. They may have split some of the development costs also with Samsung, and then snapped up Intrinsity, which was at the end of several rounds of venture capital funding and in danger of having to sell itself for much less than it was worth.

The possible advantage for Apple in the purchase, despite it perhaps being very cheap for them, is that Samsung and other tech firms will now be beholden to Apple for any future revisions of what are called “FastCore” ARM CPUs, which boast Intrinsity’s particular technology for increasing processor speed with specialised circuitry.

It’s worth noting that one of the problems with Intrinsity’s method of increasing processor speed does have some power consumption issues. Something that PA Semi specialised in. So perhaps there was some crossover in the acquisition of that other fabless semiconductor group by Apple. PA Semi were originally believed by many to be the brains behind the A4 of course.

It is rumoured that Intrinsity also have an A9 version of their enhanced ARM core in the pipeline, which was perhaps under development for Samsung, but will now be Apple’s IP to assign as they see fit. Perhaps in their next iPad revision? Or a future iPhone 5G?

If that is the case, then Apple may have made a savvy purchase. If not then it is hard to see if there is much future in the purchase of Intrinsity.

There are also concerns that Apple will actually be able to hold onto the brains behind Intrinsity’s designs. In the last few acquisitions Apple’s corporate culture does not have a good track record of keeping employees of semiconductor companies they absorb, on staff for very long: Both PA Semi’s core staff and Raycer Graphics people defecting to other companies shortly after Apple takeovers.

Let us know your thoughts on what Apple’s plans may be in the comments.

[AnandTech] ]]> https://touchreviews.net/apple-intrinsity-implications/feed/ 1 https://touchreviews.net/apple-next-second-generation-ipad-oled-display/ https://touchreviews.net/apple-next-second-generation-ipad-oled-display/#comments Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:42:48 +0000 https://touchreviews.net/?p=6205 Read More]]> And you thought you were safe from iPad rumors until June!

AppleInsider is reporting the first of the next generation iPad rumors today. The rumor, which originated with the DigiTimes in Taiwan, states the next generation iPad will use an OLED display. Whether OLED will be offered as an upgrade to the existing IPS screen or as a complete replacement isn’t mentioned. If it is true, it would represent a significant upgrade to the next iPad.

Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology dispenses with the backlights of current LED displays. This allows them to display deeper blacks and have higher contrast ratios. They are also thinner and lighter than traditional screens. All of these are desirable aspects of the technology. The current downside of OLED displays is their expense. OLED displays are still fairly expensive to produce and only a relative few facilities produce them. According to the report, OLED displays are poised to fall enough in price Apple is willing to make them part of their new mobile device.

You’ll remember just before the iPad keynote in January a rumor circulated that Apple had cornered the market on OLED displays. While some took that to be an indication an OLED display would be part of the iPad Mk. 1, it did not turn out to be the reality. Perhaps this rumor just had the truth turned on its side a bit? May be Apple has cornered the market on future orders of 10 inch OLED displays? The size is certainly right and if Apple could bring down the price enough to be feasible, an OLED display would certainly improve the iPad. In a related item, I would also not be surprised if the iPhone HD came with an OLED display in June.

What other enhancements would you like to see in the next iPad? What do you feel are the things that warrant improvement? Should Apple focus on improving the hardware elements of the device, the software elements, or both? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section.

9to5Mac is reporting Apple is looking for a QA Engineer in their “iPad Media” division. The job is described as:

The Media Systems team is looking for a software quality engineer with a strong technical background to test still, video and audio capture and playback frameworks. Build on your QA experience and knowledge of digital camera technology (still and video) to develop and maintain testing frameworks for both capture and playback pipelines…Experience with tuning of and image pipeline, including, but not limited to AWB, Color Correction, AutoExposure, FrameRate adjustments is a plus.

That seems like a pretty clear indication to me of Apple’s future intentions. A camera with the ability to shoot still pictures and video in the iPad. Perhaps even forward and rearward facing cameras if the iPhone HD rumors pan out.

Cameras of varying ability and size have been rumored for the non-iPhone members of the family for at least a year. If you remember back to just before the iPhone 3GS keynote last year, the blogosphere was abuzz with the news the third generation iPod Touch was going to receive a camera. The rumor didn’t pan out but not without further rumors suggesting they were excluded at the last minute due to quality concerns. Indeed, many were quite surprised the iPad didn’t come with at least an iPhone-like rearward facing camera. On the other hand, the inclusion of a video-capable camera on the newest iPod Nanos caught everyone by surprise.

Ultimately I believe the next generation iPhone and iPad will come with the rumored two camera set up. The indications in the iPhone 4.0 SDK are just too overwhelming. Of course this might all just be a big case of misdirection on Apple’s part but I don’t think that’s the case this time. I don’t think you’ll see a new, dual camera iPad this year; the iPhone HD will be used to get any kinks out of the video conferencing system the iPad will eventually inherit. This time next year though we’ll probably be waiting with the same anticipation for the second generation iPad and its dual camera system.

Of course the cynic in me says Apple could have put a camera or two in the iPad this year. They probably could have. The fact the software probably wasn’t in place yet though kept it out of the first iteration. And the fact they’ll get to sell a new iPad next year to all of the people that bought a first generation one this year is a nice side effect.

Do you think we’re on the cusp of an explosion of camera and video conferencing capable Apple devices? Will you have buyer’s regret if next year’s model has dual cameras? Do you agree with the cynic in me that this is all just a marketing and resale ploy by Apple? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts.