What happened to the iPod product category? iPod sales were cannibalized first by the iPod touch and then iPhone slowly cannibalized sales of the iPod touch. Apple has never been afraid of cannibalising the sales of its existing products. Apple’s late CEO Steve Jobs famously said, “If you don’t cannibalize yourself, someone else will.”

Is iPad facing the same fate as of the iPod? Will the iPad soon not be a major source of revenue for Apple? To understand these aspects let’s get into the details.

From iPad Air to iPad Air 2 – Not a major product update

If we look at the current trend of iPad sales we see some interesting figures; in Q1 2014 Apple sold 26 million tablets compare that to Q1 2015 the company sold 21.4 million. In 2013 Apple launched the new iPad Air and in 2014 the company launched iPad Air 2. Apple sold more iPad Air’s than iPad Air 2 during their respective holiday quarters.

One of the most obvious reasons that explains the fall in sales figures for iPad Air 2 could be due to the new tablet not being a major update when compared to its predecessor. iPad Air was a radical redesign and added many enhancements however, the iPad Air 2 received a modest update with improvements being camera, barometer, new processor with motion co-processor, and Touch-ID. These updates were certainly not enough for users who already own an iPad Air to upgrade.

Was iPad just a fad? Before we jump onto any conclusions we need to delve further into the tablet category.

Different Upgrade Cycles

Unlike iPhones customers are not looking to upgrade their tablets every two-years. Our smartphones have to endure much more rigorous use each day compared to the tablets. So even if you still own an iPad that was introduced in 2012 it may still be working just fine. I have an iPad 2, Retina Display MacBook Pro and iPhone 5. Even though the second-gen iPad now lags in performance after iOS 8 update I still don’t see the need to upgrade. One possible reason could also be that after purchasing the latest MacBook Pro I have increasingly felt lesser need to work on my iPad.

Users’ tablet upgrade cycle will largely depend on what you use the tablet for. If it’s just for browsing, emails, and watching movies then you’re probably not going to upgrade every two years. If you’re into gaming and love to play games on your iPad then upgrading every two years makes sense as Apple upgrades the tablets with much more capable graphic chips and all AAA game titles are quickly updated to take advantage of new features.

Smartphones have also become an expression of showing off the latest gadget you bought as one obviously tends to use it more often no matter where you are. Tablets would probably never reach that level of attention. You don’t upgrade your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro every year just because a new model was made available.

If we look at iPhone’s upgrade cycle where the company introduces major improvements every two years and follows up with minor improvements the following year it still continues to outperform previous years sales figures. iPad category certainly won’t give the same results. There’s still a lot of scope for the tablet however, its adoption into new markets and industries is dependent on factors other than just faster processor and better camera.

More choice

Another reason attributing to the decline in sales could be the introduction of large screen iPhones. Users who would previously carry an iPad mini and an iPhone can now carry just an iPhone 6 Plus. Apple has been always accused of not offering much choice to its customers however, now its a different story.

There’s a 7.9 inch iPad mini, 9.7 inch iPad, 4 inch iPhone 5S, 4.7 inch iPhone 6, and 5.5 inch iPhone 6 Plus. So, even though iPad sales in particular may have been affected, it could potentially be getting converted into iPhone sales.

With the new range of choices now available to customers it may take a couple of years for the sales figures to stabilise and adjust as customers make their choice for their preferred device for various computing purposes.

Content

iPhone had a three years lead on the iPad. When the iPad was first introduced it was not until the iPad 2 that we started seeing a large number of companies creating apps for their employees. iPad’s growth depends a lot on the ecosystem of apps other than games and productivity category. As web developers, companies, educational institutions develop more and more content optimised for the tablet we will witness continuous rise in tablet sales. Apple made a great move to tackle this issue by partnering with IBM to create enterprise ready apps.

So, should Apple be worried about the state of the iPad? No!  Apple should not be worried about lower iPad sales as it leads in market share and competitors aren’t making much progress in differentiating their products from the iPad. Microsoft is offering desktop computer experience on a tablet however, it doesn’t appear to be working favourably for the company. So, clearly if someone needs a tablet they are still looking at Apple.

The tablet market exploded after the introduction of the iPad. Apple’s competitors are waiting on Apple to take the next leap so that they can copy it.

As long as Apple continues to make improvements and make more capable tablets each year, this category is here to stay.

Photos Credit: Ben Miller, Lap Fung Chan

The live streaming of the launch event will be available on Apple’s website and Apple TV. The live stream didn’t go so well during the iPhone event however, we hope that this time the company is well prepared to handle it.

Media invites were sent out by Apple last week which carried a tag line “It’s been way too long.” While it obviously doesn’t give much hint as to what the company will be unveiling, but it’s quite evident that the iPad lineup will be refreshed for the holiday season. Some are speculating that “been way too long” could be referring to iMacs finally getting Retina Display technology. Apple’s entire product lineup features the high resolution displays except the desktop computer.

We can expect an update on OS X Yosemite release date and it could be made available later this week. We can’t rule out that Apple TV could also be refreshed today. It’s been quite a long while since it has seen any major update.

iPad Air 2 could finally get TouchID making it easier for users to access secure information with the touch of their finger. NFC could also be included to facilitate ApplePay functionality.

A new processor, A8X will bring improved CPU and GPU performance and RAM could be bumped to 2 GB. It is unclear if the new processor will offer improved battery performance on the new iPad Air 2.

It may be hard to believe, but a lot of users do use tablets to take pictures and videos. The new iPad Air 2 is rumoured to feature 8-megapixel camera. We could also see Retina HD displays as iOS 8.1 code did reveal 3x graphics.

iPad mini 3 just like iPad 2 Air is rumoured to feature A8X processor, TouchID, and improved cameras.

What are your expectations from the event? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The smaller 7.9 inch tablet from Apple, iPad mini with retina display went on sale at Apple’s retail stores on Tuesday. Due to tight supply and high demand Apple offered the device exclusively via personal pickup.

This allows customers who purchase the new tablet from Appel’s online store to pick up the device from a retail store of their choice. Sales of iPad mini with retina display are expected to be made available by other means as soon as supply catches up with the demand.

New product launches from Apple often exceed the company’s expectation in terms of demand however for iPad Air launch the models were available for online purchase and for walk-in customers.

iPad mini with Retina display will be available starting today in silver or space gray. iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi models will be available for a suggested retail price of $399 (US) for the 16GB model, $499 (US) for the 32GB model, $599 (US) for the 64GB model and $699 (US) for the 128GB model. iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be available for a suggested retail price of $529 (US) for the 16GB model, $629 (US) for the 32GB model, $729 (US) for the 64GB model and $829 (US) for the 128GB model.

iPad mini with retina display benchmark figures have now been revealed. Benchmark test on GeekBench shows that the dual-core 64-bit A& chip is clocked at 1.29GHz. In comparison, iPhone 5s processor is clocked at 1.30GHz and iPad Air at 1.39GHz.

One of the reasons of clocking processor speed below its full potential is often attributed to thermal considerations due to the form factor. Since iPad Air has a larger hardware footprint the same A7 processor used in all three devices is clocked higher than the other two.

Teardown of the iPad mini with retina display by iFixit reveals that the device is a bit thicker than the previous model – with a difference of 0.3mm. The new tablet features a much larger 24.3WHr battery compared to the 16.3WHr in the previous model. High resolution displays drive more power which explains the use of a larger battery.

The high resolution display measures at 326ppi and Apple continues to use displays from LG and Samsung. A7 chip used in iPad mini with retina display is identical to the one in iPhone 5s as opposed to being the same as the one in iPad Air.

As a result of the new hardware upgrades the new iPad mini will now provide unto 4 times CPU performance, 8 times graphics performance and continues to provide a full 10 hour battery life.

Are you going to purchase the new iPad mini with retina display? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

At a special October event Apple unveiled the new fifth-gen iPad which the company is calling, iPad Air. The new 9.7 inch tablet will be available on November 1.

iPad Air features an all-new design which has been inspired by iPad mini. The new tablet has thinner bezel and reduced thickness which makes it lighter and thinner. The 16GB WiFi model weights just 1 pound which is 20% lighter, 20% thinner and 24% less in volume when compared with the previous generation model.

While the retina display remains the same at 9.7 inch, the new iPad Air is smaller in height, width and depth. With a thickness of 0.29 inches it is as thick as the iPad mini. Apple has a known obsession to make its newer products thinner and refining the production process to the extreme.

The man behind this obsessive simplicity and manufacturing precision, Jonathan Ive, continues to evolve the existing product line up and make them look fantastic year after year.

iPad Air features the same diamond-cut chamfers and anodised aluminium body as the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and the iPad mini. It is not just an all-new design but it also features the latest 64-bit that Apple introduced in the iPhone 5s. iPad Air runs on A7 chip that makes its CPU and GPU performance twice as fast as its predecessor. It also includes M7 motion coprocessor which enables optimal battery performance. Even with a 64-bit iPad Air continues to provide 10 hour battery life.

Apple did not update the camera sensor in the fifth-gen iPad. It continues to feature 5MP rear camera and FaceTime HD Camera which is a 1.2MP sensor.

This year the company has added support for even more LTE bands as they prepare to launch the new device in China on the same day as the rest of the countries.

iPad Air is available in WiFi andWiFi+ cellular versions with storage capacities ranging from 16GB to 128GB.

There had been a few rumours about fingerprint Touch ID being part of the feature set however, it seems that we’ll have to wait for iPad Air 2 (?) for that.

Are you excited about the new thinner tablet from Apple? Will you be upgrading your tablet this holiday season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Apple’s iPad media event has just gone live. The company will be providing a live video coverage of the new iPad keynote event. The event is being held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, will take the stage to announce new product launches and updates for this year before we enter the holiday season. The email invite sent out to the media suggests that the company will “cover” many product announcements.

Rumors and reports published in the past provide enough evidence to expect new iPad 5 (fifth gen) and second gen iPad mini. We could also get new Haswell MacBook Pro models, final release of Mac OS X Mavericks, new iLife and iWork software updates and more.

iPad 5 is widely expected to feature a thinner and lighter design inspired by the advancements made with iPad mini. Hardware specifications are expected to include new 64-bit A7 chip, improved camera and possibly new Touch ID sensor.

There have been many conflicts reports about a second gen iPad mini with retina display. It is unclear if Apple will introduce the new smaller iPad with a high resolution display.

During WWDC Apple showcased a sneak peek at the new Mac Pro. Apple could use today’s event to announce shipping date for the high end Mac for the professionals.

This year Apple is offering a live video feed of the iPad launch event. Live video stream of the event is available on Apple’s website. In order to view live video streaming of the October iPad event you’d require Safari 4 or later on OS X v10.6 or later, Safari on iOS 4.2 or later. Streaming via Apple TV requires second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 5.0.2 or later.

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.

French site Noweherelse.fr released a report with images of a purported iPad 5 screen, which shows a thinner bezel, similar to the current iPad mini. Reports and mockups from earlier this year also showed a full sized iPad next to the iPad mini with a very similar.

The new iPad 5 is also expected to use the same color scheme as the current iPhone 5, and iPad mini, with the Black bezel matching with the slate back and the white bezel matching with the silver. Case designs from early last month also suggest that the iPad 5 will be very similar to the iPad mini. It is unclear when the iPad 5 will debut, although a number of sources have suggested that an event may be held as early as this month.

Others suggest that Apple will release it during its normal Fall timeframe, as they did with the iPad mini and the 4th generation iPad. It is not surprising that Apple is adopting the IPad mini design for its iPad 5, especially when considering that it is the only iOS device that has yet remained unchanged from the black and silver design and the thick bezel.

{Via MacRumors}

Rumors about Apple working on an iPad 5 with an iPad mini style design have been on the web for several weeks now. However, images of a purported iPad 5 case, based off of recent rumors suggests that the updated version of the current 9.7” tablet will carry a slimmer and lighter profile as well as a thinner bezel.

The “iPad 5” case, which was created by Apple accessory manufacturer MiniSuit shows what appears to be a thinner and flatter design, similar to the rear shell of the current iPad mini. The company notes that they created the case based on specs that they received from reliable sources.

In the images of the iPad 5 case, there appears to be a hole directly in the center of the case, suggesting that Apple may have relocated the mic from the top of the iPad (where it is now) to the backside. The back of the iPad is a more convenient location, easier to build and picks up sound when talking on FaceTime or recording video.

With the iPad 5, Apple is expected to retain the same 9.7” screen, while reducing the bezels as on the iPad mini. Apple may also have to rearrange the internal components and put in smaller chips and processors in order to make the device thinner than the current generation.

It is unclear when Apple plans to announce the release date for the new iPad 5 or even the rumored iPad mini refresh, however, it is likely that the 9.7” tablet will arrive anytime between March and October of this year. Prior to this timeframe, case manufacturers will begin to develop cases based entirely on speculations and rumors. Although Apple does release the specs after releasing the device, a number of case manufacturers generate more income by selling cases on the first official day an iPad is available.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple’s iPad mini was announced several weeks ago and went on sale in early November. Apple promised that LTE versions of the iPad mini and the 4th generation iPad (4G) would be available in late November and held up their end of the deal. On Friday, all of the major United States carriers, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint announced they will be carrying LTE versions of both the iPad mini and fourth gen iPad.

Many U.S customers reported that they had already begun to receive their devices earlier in the week, due to shipments and deliveries coming in earlier than expected. Apple has not made any official announcement on the availability of the LTE versions of the devices, however, will likely do so soon. It appears that Apple’s retail stores are currently stocking very few LTE models of the new iPads and will ramp up availability as the demand increases.

This is not the first time that Apple’s products are delivered to customers earlier than usual, as it also happened with the WiFi models of the iPad mini, as well as the iPhone 5 and the new iPod lineup. With all three of the U.S carriers officially launching LTE versions of the iPad mini and the fourth gen iPad, it won’t be long before Apple makes an announcement on the availability of the device and begins to deliver more units to its retail stores.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple Inc. (AAPL) began selling its new iPad mini and the 4th generation iPad just last week and has already sold a record three million iPads in three days. According to Apple, this number is double the previous first weekend record of 1.5 million Wi-Fi models sold for the third generation iPad this past March.

Apple noted in the press release for the record announcement that the WiFi+Cellular versions of the iPad mini and the 4th generation iPad would be available in several weeks, in the US and numerous other countries. Apple CEO Tim Cook seemed optimistic about the new iPad mini and commented on the sale of the iPad mini and fourth generation iPad.

Customers around the world love the new iPad mini and fourth generation iPad. We set a new launch weekend record and practically sold out of iPad minis. We’re working hard to build more quickly to meet the incredible demand.

The iPad mini, with a new 7.9 inch screen, FsceTime HD camera and LTE wireless is setting up to be a big hit for Apple in the market, and the company will likely continue to sell more in volume as the holiday season approaches. Apple retail stores and the online store have been trying to keep up with demand for the iPad mini for the past several days, and will likely continue to sell them in record numbers for several months until the demand evens with the supply.

{Via Apple PR}

Early last week, following the announcement of the new iPad mini, Apple began airing the first television ad for the 7.9 inch device. Apple’s SVP of Industrial Design, Jony Ive mentioned that the company focused on creating the iPad mini from the ground up rather than shrinking down the full sized iPad.

He also mentioned that Apple’s reason for doing this was because if the iPad mini was a shrunken down version, users would only be aware of the limitations of the device, as opposed to embracing the device as an entirely new product. The ad, called “Piano” focuses on exactly that, showing the full sized iPad next to the iPad mini playing the popular song “Heart and Soul”, which suggests that the iPad mini is capable of doing everything the full sized iPad does and runs full sized iPad apps.

The ad begins with the full sized iPad playing the song, and the iPad mini chiming in with the tune. The ad then ends with the Apple logo, followed simply by “iPad mini”.

Apple introduced the new iPad mini on Tuesday and already, users are beginning to notice some smarter features that the Cupertino company has included that wouldn’t be available on competing devices. According to the Apple’s iPad mini design website, the company has included advanced software in the iPad mini that detects and prevents unintended touches.

This is just one of the many features on the iPad mini that is not advertised and will quietly assist the user. When compared to the full sized iPad, it is obvious that the bezel on the iPad mini is much smaller and compact in order for the screen to be the focal point of the device. However, with the smaller bezel, it is easy for users to click something they didn’t mean to.

iPad mini is small. But when you use it, it doesn’t feel small. That’s because it’s designed to give you the maximum amount of screen in the minimum amount of space. To achieve that, we had to rethink the relationship between the screen and the overall shape of the product. iPad has symmetrical bezels around all of its edges. But for iPad mini, we reduced the width of the bezels on two sides of the display. So although the screen is smaller, it’s even more prominent.

Rethinking the screen meant we also had to rethink the software behind it. iPad mini intelligently recognizes whether your thumb is simply resting on the display or whether you’re intentionally interacting with it. It’s the kind of detail you’ll notice — by not noticing it. And it’s a great example of how Apple hardware and software work together to give you the best experience possible.

This feature is likely similar to the feature included on OS X, which allows a user to swipe two fingers and access Notification Center. With all of these small but important features, it is also likely that the experience will outweigh the $329 price tag that so many users are complaining about.

{Via iMore}

It’s only been 6 months since the introduction of the third generation iPad, and Apple has already introduced a new version of it. On Tuesday, alongside the announcement of the iPad mini, Apple introduced the refreshed iPad, calling it the 4th gen iPad instead.

The 4th generation iPad has been updated with the new Lightning connector currently on the iPhone 5, 4th gen iPod touch, and the new iPad mini as well as a new A6X processor as previously predicted, and FaceTime HD.

Until now, the FaceTime camera on the iPad was the same basic VGA camera that shipped on the iPhone 4, 4S and iPad 2. According to Phil Schiller, SVP of Product Marketing, the 4th generation iPad has expanded LTE support for more carriers around the world as well as faster WiFi speeds, twice as fast as on the third generation iPad.

Pricing for the 4th generation iPad remains the same $499/$599/$699 for the same 16GB/32GB/64GB capacities. WiFi+Cellular versions of the 4th generation iPad also remain the same, coming in at $629/$729/$829 for 16GB/32GB/64GB respectively. The 4th generation iPad will be available in stores and online for sale on November 2nd and is currently available for Pre-Order.

With Apple Inc. (AAPL) “iPad Mini” media event scheduled for October 23rd, reports about pricing for the new device are beginning to appear online. Over the weekend, 9to5Mac reported that the iPad Mini would be priced at around $329 for an entry level WiFi only model. That is a $170 difference from the full sized WiFi only model. According to the report, there will also likely be two higher capacity models, which will be priced at $429 and $529 respectively.

As with the full sized iPad, a $130 premium will also be applied for Cellular models of the iPad Mini, boosting the prices to $459/$559/$659. Apple is widely expected to unveil the smaller 7.85 inch version of the iPad at the event, which is also expected to arrive with the new Lightning connector, alongside a tweaked full sized iPad, a 13 inch Retina MacBook Pro, and perhaps even updated models of the iMac and Mac Mini.

With the new iPad Mini set at a lower price, Apple will be able to compete with leading ebook readers such as the Kindle from Amazon. Apple already carries a wide variety of books and publishers through its iBooks service and pairing it with a smaller and slimmer iPad would be optimal for customers looking to read books on their iOS device.

{Via MacRumors}

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}

On Monday, a report from The Wall Street Journal mentioned that Apple Inc. (AAPL) has placed orders for around 10 million iPad mini tablets to supply chain vendors. This information reportedly came directly from the chain vendors in Asia who claim that they received the orders from AAPL.

If the proposed information turns out to be true, this means that Apple has long finalized the design and the hardware internals of the device as it is now in production and that the rumors about the Mini seen in the past may very well be true.

Some component suppliers to Apple in Asia say they have received orders to make more than 10 million units of the smaller tablets in the fourth quarter. That is roughly double the order that were placed for Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablets in the same quarter, these suppliers say. The figure indicates that Apple believes demand for the product will be strong, despite stiff competition in the market. Apple hasn’t responded to requests for comment on the smaller tablet dubbed by the industry as the iPad mini.

Over the past few weeks, rumors about the new iPad Mini have slowed down, likely pointing to the fact that there are no new part leaks, and all of the rumored information available may be what is going to be in the final version.

Apple currently dominates the tablet industry, with its 9.7 inch iPad, however, consumers are also beginning to opt for smaller screen sizes for portability and cheaper prices. With a 7 inch iPad Mini, Apple can continue to lead the market and provide users with a cheaper, smaller option without sacrificing any features.

{Via iMore}

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}

IllusionLabs aren’t strangers to App Store success, with TouchGrind and Labyrinth just two of their titles that have been big hits they now attempt again with their new title Blast A Way. Blast A Way for iPhone and iPad is a colorful physics puzzler where your task is to rescue the 3 Boxies that have been left strewn across all 5 worlds and 80 levels.

So how do achieve this task? Its quite simple really, the answer is bombs! 6 different types of bombs to be exact that will blow things up, transport you, change colors and even rebuild previously exploded blocks. All of these actions will enable you to move around the levels and collect the previously mentioned Boxies who are stranded and are waiting for you to pick them up.

The physics of the game are pitch perfect. You navigate the levels with a variety of touch controls which allow you to zoom, rotate and focus on any area of the beautifully designed levels. You can then move your character by drawing a path for them to walk along and final you can throw a bomb by touching where you want it to land and choosing the angle to throw it.

Bomb placement is where the real skill is required, direction, angle and power will all influence the final location of the bomb and where the bomb lands will influence the effect that the bomb has on the Boxies, the environment and even you, especially if you are standing too close to the bomb when it explodes.

It’s nice that you aren’t restricted in the number of bombs that you have at your disposal especially as on some levels getting the bomb to where you need it to land can be pretty tricky.

The 5 worlds are themed on different materials including wood, metal, plastic and fabric and while the structure of the worlds are similar being all made out of a variety of geometric shapes the different materials make them look great. This is certainly the case on the retina displays of the iPhone 4S and the new iPad where they pop off the screen.

It’s frustrating that as a universal app there is no progression synchronization between devices and while there is Game Center integration the 7 achievements are a little disappointing and it would have been nice to see a little more creativity here.

Blast A Way is a wonderful new physics puzzler, at $4.99 it’s a little on the pricey side but you can always try 20 levels for free via Blast A Way Free to see if you like it before you buy it.

What we like

• Screen popping graphics
• 80 challenging levels
• Touch-screen-tastic controls

What to know

• More achievements would be nice
• Progression synchronisation between devices

Blast A Way Gallery

Netflix recently updated their iOS app for iOS 6 and the new 4-inch widescreen display on the iPhone 5. According to the details in the App Store release notes, the update also improves the browsing, searching and watching experience.

The last time the Netflix iOS app received a major update was following the release of the new iPad, when the company updated it to support the Retina Display. The support for the widescreen display on the iPhone allows users to watch movies and TV shows in their native aspect ratio and runs the videos full screen, instead of letterboxed as it has been since the release of the iPhone 5.

More and more apps are being upgraded to support the iPhone 5 and iOS 6, many of which are placed under the “Amazing Apps on iPhone 5” section of the App Store. Netflix will likely be added to the section and is now available for users to download in the App Store. The app is available for free but requires a Netflix account for use.

{Via MacRumors — Image Credit: Mashable}

Late last week, a report from the Wall Street Journal mentioned that Apple’s iPhone 5 will have support for Global 4G LTE, something that began to be speculated upon as early as the announcement of the new iPad which also supports 4G LTE. However, the new iPad was only supported on AT&T and Verizon in the US and Bell Canada, Rogers Communications in Canada.

The iPhone 5 would not work the same way and is expected to operate on worldwide LTE networks. The report notes that the 4G will be available in most countries in U.S., Europe and Asia but not all countries will have it soon after release. Apple’s move into 4G LTE is one of the many steps the company is taking to continue leading the smartphone market with the iPhone.

During the original iPhone introduction, 2G was supported, followed by 3G on the iPhone 3G eventually leading the iPhone to become a world phone with both GSM and CDMA support. The iPhone 5 is expected to be announced Wednesday during the company’s media event and is expected to go on sale on September 21st.

Apple’s new iPhone 5 is widely believed to feature a larger 4 inch high resolution screen, faster processor, new hardware design among other enhancements.

{Via AppleInsider}

Apple recently released yet another iPad advertisement, and appears to be using the same strategy in all ads for the new iPad. The advertisement shows an iPad in use against a pure white background, as in all Apple ads. As the user runs through different features such as Twitter, iBooks, and AirPlay, each feature is narrated.

Read it. Tweet it.
Be surprised. Be productive.
Make a sale. Make some lunch.
Make it movie night.
Play a game. Or an old favorite
Do it all more beautifully, with the Retina display, on iPad.

This latest ad continues to show users all of the everyday features that the iPad is capable of and how exactly it would fit into someone’s lifestyle. This is the third ad released for Apple’s new iPad with Retina Display. Ads for the iPad now join the Cupertino company’s popular Siri ads as well as a recent string of ads dedicated to the Genius Bar and Apple’s services.

Apple’s next generation iPhone 5, slated for release later this year has been the focal point of many news and rumor sites, with parts surfacing on the web and numerous sources confirming its existence. However, earlier this week, following a report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on the next gen iPod touch, Japanese site Macotakara reported that the iPod touch would be getting the same 4 inch screen rumored to appear on the iPhone 5.

Kuo’s initial claims about the 4 inch screen, up from the current 3.5 inches appeared to confirmed by this and other rumors. The report also mentioned some specific details about the design of the next iPod touch, specifically mentioning that Apple is looking to move away from the mirrored stainless steel back and replace it with a buffed aluminium shell. This buffed aluminium rear shell would likely be the same type of aluminium currently used on the Cupertino company’s MacBook lineup as well as the new iPad.

According to Macotakara’s report, the next iPod touch is expected to also have upgraded internals, identical to that of the iPhone 4S meaning use of the Apple’s A5 chip. It is unclear at this point whether or not the camera would be upgraded from the current 0.7 megapixels, similar to the iPad’s upgrade from 0.9 MP to a solid 5 MP.

Macotakara’s source, who provided them with information about the design and internals of the next iPod touch also mentioned that there would be a small hole in the back of the rear shell. It is still not clear exactly what purpose the hole would serve, as it is very likely that it was included for testing purposes only.

{via MacRumors}

On Tuesday, Apple Inc. (AAPL) issued a press release, announcing that the 3rd generation iPad would be launching in China on July 20th.

In China the new iPad will be available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), select Apple Authorized Resellers and by reservation from Apple retail stores. Reservation requests will be accepted daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 19 for pick up the following day. Additionally, iPad 2 is available at a more affordable price starting at just $399 (US).

AAPL recently settled a dispute over the “iPad” trademark in China and was likely holding the release until the issue was resolved. The settlement was worth $60 million and gave Apple the rights to use the name. Although China is one the last countries to receive the new iPad 3, the introduction is a smart move by Apple and will positively affect their international revenue.

It should take only a week or two for China’s national trademark authority to transfer the iPad trademark for China to Apple, added Mr. Xie, of the Grandall Legal Group in Shenzhen.

China and other parts of Asia are a large part of Apple’s quarterly revenue and has become a crucial business strategy for the Cupertino, Calif. based company. Apple launched the new iPad earlier this year, in March, with an updated A5X chip, Retina Display, and a 5 megapixel iSight camera.

{via Apple}

Apple’s Retail Stores have been increasing in numbers all over the world and with millions of customers visiting each store, the company is devising new ways to organize and help each of them. Each retail store is expected to generate profit, and with Apple’s “open” format, the visitors who come in to check out Macs, iPods, and iPhones are the customers. According to a report from ifoAppleStore, Apple is testing out a new layout for the Genius Bar to create more space and allow one genius to help more customers at the same time. The Genius’ would use iPads to access records and set up customers as opposed to the MacBooks that bolted onto the bar. An image of the new Genius Bar shows a 10 foot long counter with stools on both sides and is now moved 15 inches from the rear wall of the store.

According to the report, this is done to allow the employees to move to either side of the table. As a result, Genius’ can now likely switch customers easily, and in any situation can move them to another section of the table if necessary. Cables and electronics set up for the Bar are visible below the table, and drawers for the equipment and replacement supplies are still located in the rear wall. The drawers are part of the wall, as they are now and stay out of the way, until a product needs to be taken out. With this new design, Apple will now be removing the popular kids section and will enlarge and revamp many stores to accommodate space.

Earlier this year, Apple replaced the iMacs in the Kids section with the iPad, and will likely now move the entire kids section near the iPad tables. The Bar, turned 90 degrees, allows smaller stores, in malls and other locations to accommodate, more tables and more product displays. The new redesign fits in nicely with Apple’s push to make their stores more mobile and efficient. In the past, Apple set up employees with iPods and iPads for ringing up sales, replaced glass information cards with iPads, and created personal setup tables for helping a customer and getting them out of the store in as little time as possible.

{Via ifoAppleStore}