Rumors

Apple reportedly ordering carbon fiber parts for a mysterious new product

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Forget about Liquidmetal: Apple is said to be ordering parts made of carbon fiber and these are allegedly for a mysterious new product. A Japanese supplier has apparently been commissioned to deliver carbon fiber items, but quantities are said to far surpass what constitutes a sample.

Coincidentally or not, Apple's patent filings indicate that the company has been researching carbon-fiber enclosures for quite some time. Now, imagine if you a will a carbon fiber-clad iOS device which doesn't get easily scratched and is even more lightweight than your Unibody aluminum iPhone 5...

Apple to reportedly replace broken iPhone 5 screens in-store

Cody Lee ∙ September 20, 2012

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...

Google submits iOS Maps app, hopes to have it approved before Christmas

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock for the past 24 hours, you are aware that crappy Apple Maps in iOS 6 provoked a very public backlash. We told you earlier today that a Google executive hinted in a brief interview with Bloomberg TV that iPhone 5 users can go download Google Maps, an unusual wording given that a rumored native Google Maps app couldn't be found on the App Store yet.

Adding fuel to fire, The Guardian newspaper reports that Google submitted the program and that it is now in Apple's sole discretion to approve it. Whether or not club Cupertino greenlights the nsoftware or throws it down the toilet over duplicate functionality remains to be seen.

At any rate, a native Google Maps experience akin to the recently released YouTube app would be more than welcome given the controversial downgrade that is Apple's in-house mapping solution in iOS 6...

Samsung shoots down the Galaxy S4 rumor

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

The Korea Times reported on Monday, citing unnamed company officials, that Samsung is getting ready to announce the next-generation Galaxy S4 smartphone at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain in February 2013, followed by March 2013 availability. The story claimed the Galaxy SIII successor would be "more than enough to curb Apple’s latest iPhone". However, the report is inaccurate as Samsung was quick to deny the rumor via its Korean account on Twitter...

Photos of alleged iPad mini dummy unit

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 8, 2016

Now that the iPhone 5 announcement has come and gone, the rumor mill has turned its sights back to the iPad mini. Yesterday, we heard the tablet is already in mass production. And today, this.

There's a new set of photos floating around the web this morning of a purported iPad mini dummy unit. And the non-working model is believed to be indicative of what the tablet will look like...

iPad mini reportedly in production at Foxconn and Pegatron plants

Cody Lee ∙ September 17, 2012

Between the new iPhone and iPod announcements, and now the preparation for official launch, talk of the iPad mini has been put on the back burner. This has a lot of folks wondering, is the rumored tablet still set for a fall launch?

According to a new report this afternoon, yes, the iPad mini is still on track to launch later this year. In fact, it appears that the slate has entered mass production, with Foxconn and Pegatron splitting the production...

WSJ claims iOS 6 can block unwanted calls

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 12, 2012

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...

New iPhone 5 logic board photo: A6 chip, Qualcomm LTE modem, Hynix flash

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 12, 2012

We're less than three hours away from Apple's big presser and, conveniently, a new high-quality photo surfaced alleging to represent the iPhone 5 logic board. From what can be gleaned, the board clearly shows an Apple-designed chip labeled "A6", in addition to other chips that indicate LTE world-phone functionality, also proving that Apple could indeed be reducing its dependency on fellow smartphone maker and frenemy Samsung, which supplies Cupertino with more than one-third of components that go inside the current-generation iPhone...

Chronic claims the iPhone 5 has NFC chip

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 11, 2018

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

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

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

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

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...

New iPod touch to feature 1136×640 display and new A5 chip

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Apple is widely expected to unveil new iPods alongside its new smartphone tomorrow. But while we think we know almost everything about the new iPhone, the new iPods remain a bit of a mystery.

Until today, that is. According to some new information, the new line of iPod touches are likely going to feature a 4-inch display with a resolution of 1136 x 640, and a more powerful A5 processor...