iPhone 5

Apple seen cutting iPhone 5 part orders due to weak demand

The Wall Street Journal issued a report late last night, claiming that it had it on good authority that Apple has been telling its suppliers to cut their iPhone 5 part orders due to, what is believed to be, weak demand.

The publication's sources, who — you guessed it, are familiar with the situation — say that Apple has cut orders for multiple iPhone 5 components, but say screen orders specifically have been cut by nearly 50 percent...

Rumor: iPhone 6 with NFC, stronger battery, super HD camera, 4.8-inch screen in June 2013

So, are you tired of the iPhone 5 already? Feeling the after-announcement blues, sort of like the after-Christmas let-down? Cheer up, Apple fans, the iPhone 5S (or the iPhone 6 or whatever Apple calls it) is coming next June or July. According to one Wall Street observer, the new iPhone will include a "super HD" camera and screen, stronger battery and NFC.

What's more, the iPhone 5S will arrive in a rainbow of colors, or at least 6-8 different colors, according to Jefferies analyst Peter Misek. Also on tap: the iPad 5 with an IGZO screen and more colors...

Unlocked iPhone 5 hitting online Apple Store tonight, retail outlets to follow soon?

Like an elusive unicorn, the unlocked iPhone 5 remains a pipedream in the United States, where the government doesn't require telcos to offer unlocked, contract-free devices alongside subsidized ones, like in Italy, France and elsewhere.

If you're unwilling to commit your soul to your carrier just to get your hands on an iPhone 5, you may wanna keep a close eye on the online Apple Store at around 9pm tonight as it's been reported factory-unlocked devices will appear as early as this midnight...

Apple to pony up for stricter iPhone 5 quality control

Apple will reportedly pay up to "partially absorb costs" related to stricter quality control in iPhone 5 manufacturing, according to Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu. Faced with numerous complaints from early adopters who noticed their handset is far more prone to scratches and nicks which Apple initially attempted to dismiss as "normal" wear and tear, the company is now ready to take a hit on its near-term gross margins to improve production quality of the iPhone 5. Specifically, the analyst projects the iPhone maker's gross margins to be between 40.5 percent and 41.5 percent versus Wall Street's consensus between 42 percent and 43 percent...

Analyst says T-Mobile could finally land the iPhone in 2013

Here we go again. T-Mobile USA, the nation's fourth-largest carrier and the only major U.S. telco without Apple's iconic smartphone, should finally land the latest iPhone early next year, if an analyst with Morgan Stanley is to be trusted.

This isn't the first time analysts made such an estimate and the carrier on its part has been appeasing to its iPhone-totting customers with free support to unlockers, Nano SIMs for the iPhone 5 and a broad marketing push to sell Apple users to its unlimited data plans...

Apple reportedly looking to expand iPhone production to Foxconn subsidiary

Over the past few weeks, we've been hearing about problems within Foxconn's production lines regarding the iPhone 5. Workers are unhappy with the complicated manufacturing procedures, and higher quality standards, and thousands have even gone on strike.

These problems are said to be one of the main factors in the iPhone 5 supply constraint Apple is seeing worldwide. It's three weeks after launch, and the handset is still seeing shipping times of 3-4 weeks. But rumor has it that Apple is working on a solution...

Aluminum backing said to be the blame for iPhone 5 supply constraints

 

It's been almost three weeks since the iPhone 5 went on sale here in the US, and it's practically impossible to find the handset. Apple's website still shows shipping time estimates of 3-4 weeks, and both Verizon and AT&T show the phone won't be available until November.

On the surface, it seems that Apple is once again a victim of its own success: it simply can't make iPhones fast enough to meet demand. But apparently there's more to it than that. Word is that the phone's aluminum backing has been a major factor in the supply constraints...

Apple to reportedly replace broken iPhone 5 screens in-store

With its new unibody design and metal backing, the iPhone 5 is built to be a bit more durable than its glass-backed predecessor. And it looks like it could be more repairable as well.

According to a new report this afternoon, Apple may be providing its retail employees with the tools needed to fix broken iPhone 5 displays in-store, a stark departure from previous policy...

WSJ claims iOS 6 can block unwanted calls

As you know, iOS 6 comes with an improved stock Phone app which enables some interesting new call management features. For example, you can choose to reply to an incoming calls with a message or be reminded about it later.

When a call comes in that you can’t answer right away, users can just swipe up to reveal options. Surprisingly, the Wall Street Journal claimed yesterday that iOS 6 also, among other things, includes new features that allow people to block unwanted calls...

Chronic claims the iPhone 5 has NFC chip

A well-known iOS developer with a strong track record of Apple reporting took to Twitter this morning to argue that prototypes of Apple's next iPhone do contain a Near-Field Communication (NFC) sensor inside. This shouldn't be deciphered as the definite proof of an NFC-enabled iPhone 5 as Apple and other handset makers often test several device prototypes before settling on one model.

Furthermore, even if the iPhone 5 has NFC, this should not be confused with an NFC-driven mobile payment system. We also know from Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller's interview with the Wall Street Journal (Apple's unofficial mouthpiece) that digital wallet mobile-payment services are “all fighting over their piece of the pie", adding that "we aren’t doing that"...

Last minute details surface on new dock connector and headphones

Good news for all of you folks hoping to soak up some last minute rumors before tomorrow's event. We've come across some new details regarding Apple's expected announcements.

First off, among the many changes Apple is figured to introduce in the new iPhone, is a new, smaller 9-pin dock connector. And apparently, that connector has a name: Lightning...

Everything we know about the iPhone 5

It's that time of year again: Apple is about to unveil a next-generation iPhone. A sixth revision to the world's most beloved phone that just turned five is up for an announcement tomorrow at a media event in San Francisco. The last iPhone with Steve Jobs's seal of approval arrives at an interesting time for Apple.

Earlier in the year, rival Samsung crushed both Apple and the embattled Finnish giant Nokia to become the world's largest cell phone and smartphone maker by volume. The South Korea-based conglomerate's flagship Galaxy S III handset has even managed to overtake the iPhone to become America's best-selling smartphone in August.

With such massive pent up demand for the iPhone 5, a misstep of any kind would cost Apple dearly: the company owes nearly 70 percent of its fortunes to the iPhone. The iPhone biz is now worth more than all of Microsoft. And because the iconic smartphone is that huge, it poses a major litigation risk.

The iPhone 5 also marks a major test for Cupertino as customers will once again vote with their wallet and get to prove whether or not the iPhone has run its course...