Apple

Hey Apple, here’s your 16MP camera with 4K video capture for 2013 iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

OmniVision Technologies yesterday announced two new camera sensors for smartphones and tablets and guess what? Both could be a perfect fit for a 2013 iPhone, if not for the next one.

We're talking about 16-megapixel sensors that shoot 4K video at a remarkable 60 frames per second.

Per Chipworks' teardown analysis, Apple is using OmniVision's OV5642 camera module inside the iPhone 4. Another teardown, also by Chipworks, shows OmniVision's second-generation OV5650 back illumination and OV297AA modules being used on the iPad 2, the new iPad and the iPod Nano music player.

If Apple were to adopt these new OmniVision 16-megapixel camera modules, you could be capturing video either in 4K2K or Quad Full High Definition (QFHD) resolution with an iPhone in your pocket.

Now, if only you had a 4K display to watch these clips in their full ultra high-resolution glory...

Apple’s smartphone market share in China now up to 19%

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

We've said it before, but it's worth repeating. With over a billion cell phone users, and millions more in the wing, China is a crucial market for Apple in its quest to sell more smartphones — a market it's only been in for a few months.

But it appears to be on the right track. According to a new report from Woori Investment and Securities, Apple sold over 6 million handsets in China between January and March of this year, pushing its smartphone market share in the country up to 19%...

Apple’s design guru Jony Ive says best is yet to come

Cody Lee ∙ May 23, 2012

TheNextWeb points to a new piece in The Telegraph this morning, which features a lengthy interview with Jony Ive. The publication caught up with Apple's design guru during his recent trip to the UK to receive an honorary knighthood.

The Cupertino company's Senior Vice President of Industrial Design discussed a number of topics with the paper throughout the course of the interview, but a couple of his comments really stood out...

IBM bans the use of Siri on its network over data privacy fears

Cody Lee ∙ May 23, 2012

Have you ever wondered what happens to your conversations with Siri? Obviously your queries are sent over the internet to Apple's servers for processing, but what then? Does Apple store these conversations? Does anyone have access to them?

These questions seem to be heavy on the mind of IBM's Jeanette Horan, as the CIO recently told MIT's Technology Review that her company has banned Siri from their network over fears that the assistant could be logging sensitive information...

Here’s what Google becoming a handset maker means for Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 11, 2017

Earlier today, Google CEO Larry Page took to company blog to break the big news: having obtained necessary approvals from watchdogs on both side of the Atlantic, the search giant has finally closed its $12.5 billion acquisition of the ailing handset maker Motorola Mobility in a move meant to “supercharge the Android ecosystem”.

The transaction will close by May 23 and is rumored to see Google laying off up to one-third of Motorola staff.

Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha is stepping down (not unexpected) and will be replaced by Dennis Woodside whom Apple tried to poach last year. The new CEO already promised "fewer, bigger bets", meaning Motorola should streamline its portfolio to focus on a select few hero devices.

So, Googlerola is alive and the search giant is now officially a handset maker - one sitting on an enormous pile of patents. In fact, the search Goliath is now in a position to directly fight Apple's allegations against Android makers.

Taking it all in, we analyze what repercussions - if any - this development potentially poses for Apple and its ongoing legal spat against major Android backers such as HTC, Samsung and, yes, Motorola...

Mockup time: here’s a nice 3.95-inch iPhone 5 concept video

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 26, 2017

With the Wall Street Journal having lent its aura of credibility to the bigger iPhone meme, it’s mockup time ladies and gentlemen.

Introducing a brand new iPhone 5 concept design by Isaac Royo that explores a 3.95-inch display 9to5Mac heard Apple's been testing out on prototype units of the next iPhone...

Meta Watch smart watch now supports iOS devices and Bluetooth 4.0

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Last month, a Kickstarter project by the name of "Pebble" took the iOS community by storm. The iPhone-compatible wristwatch broke practically every Kickstarter record in existence, nabbing $10 million in pledges from 70k backers.

Capitalizing on this newfound demand for iPhone-connected smart watches, Meta Watch has just released an update to its Android companion. The new version includes support for the iPhone 4S and the iPad 3, along with Bluetooth 4.0...

Leaked part suggests the next iPod touch also has a taller 4.1-inch display

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 22, 2012

Reaffirming the widely reported and credible rumor claiming the next iPhone will sport a taller four-inch display, a part leak has surfaced today indicating that the next iPod touch will also adopt a taller, 3.95-inch display.

As you can see, a claimed front panel from the next-generation iPod touch is taller compared to the current-generation iPod touch which has the same 3.5-inch Retina display like the iPhone 4/4S. This particular part measures in at 4.1 inches diagonally and has a hole for the physical home button right where you'd expect it...

No, lawyers didn’t design Galaxy S III, Samsung design boss says

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

When Samsung introduced its third-generation Galaxy S smartphone earlier this month, folks immediately took to Twitter, opining how the handset was "designed by lawyers" in a nod at Samsung's ongoing legal feud with Apple over alleged copying of the iPhone's hardware design and software features.

Instead, the phone that was "inspired by nature" and "designed for humans", as the tagline has it, fits in Samsung's five-year redesign plan and went through hundreds of iterations before they settled on a final design....

Apple ranked as number one brand in the world

Cody Lee ∙ Updated July 11, 2017

TheNextWeb points to Millard Brown's 2012 Brandz Top 100 report — an annual study that calculates the brand value of the most popular companies in the world by combining their financial valuations with consumer loyalty and appeal.

As you've probably already guessed by now, Apple came in first place with a brand value of $183 billion. This was enough to finish ahead of IBM, Google, McDonalds and Microsoft, who finished in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place respectively...

Steve Jobs honored at Webby Awards

Cody Lee ∙ May 22, 2012

This is kind of cool: as noted by CNET, Apple's late co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs was honored by a number of celebraties and political figureheads, including US President Barack Obama, during the 16th annual Webby Awards yesterday.

The touching video tribute was introduced by actors Justin Long and John Hodgman, known for their roles in the popular "I'm a Mac" TV spots, and came about midway through the award show. Keep reading to see the clip...

Rumor: Apple testing new iPhones with 3.95-inch, 1136 x 640 displays

Cody Lee ∙ May 22, 2012

Reports that Apple will be finally increasing the screen size of its next-generation iPhone have certainly been piling up over the past few weeks. And today, the credible 9to5Mac is throwing its proverbial hat into the ring.

The site has just published a report that, if true, confirms a number of existing theories regarding Apple's next handset including display size and resolution, and the oft-rumored smaller charging port. Read on for details...