Rumors

Apple to reportedly launch revamped third-gen iPad this summer

Yeah as far as crazy rumors go, this one could be among the craziest. A new report is out this morning claiming that Apple is set to release a revamped version of its third generation iPad this summer.

The difference between this tablet and the one that Apple released three months ago is that it's supposedly going to be thinner, have better battery life, and its Retina display is going to be made by Sharp...

Bloomberg says iTunes will receive major makeover by year’s end

Late last year, we reported that Apple was preparing to give iTunes its first major overhaul in 10 years. The update would come in the form of iTunes 11, and feature a revamped UI and deeper iCloud integration.

Since then, the report has been independently confirmed by both TechCrunch and 9to5Mac, who are also hearing that such a change is on the way. And tonight, a major news outlet adds its weight to the story...

iOS 6 Beta lets you reorder Apple TV icons. Apps coming?

Earlier this morning we told you about a note by Apple pundit John Gruber who challenged BGR editor Jonathan Geller's false report that Apple would release a software development kit for the Apple TV at WWDC, effectively opening up the $99 set-top box to third-party apps.

The rumor never came to be and Gruber noted in his trademark style that “something big is going on with Apple TV in Cupertino” (but it’s still being cooked, if I may add). An interesting new video evidence released today by the Brazilian blog MacMagazine has strengthened the belief that third-party apps are likely coming to the Apple TV...

Future versions of iOS could have simulated 3D UI

One of the main complaints I get about iOS is that it's getting boring (these people are obviously not jailbreaking). And to be fair, the platform hasn't really changed much since it was introduced back in 2007.

But maybe Apple's finally looking to switch things up. We've already seen some cool new tweaks in iOS 6, like the auto-tilting sliders. And now the word is, we could be in for some even bigger UI changes...

Competition: Motorola exiting feature phones, 7″ slates from Amazon, Google loom

Several reports this morning sourced from Taiwanese supply chain indicate some pretty interesting reshuffling going on in the mobile space outside Apple. Samsung is shooting to cumulatively sell ten million Galaxy S III units by early July while Motorola Mobility is mulling exiting the feature phones business in order to focus all their energies on "innovative products".

In the non-iPad space, a contract manufacturer has apparently landed orders for both Amazon's seven-inch Kindle Fire tablet and Google's Nexus-branded expected to make an appearance at Google I/O on Wednesday...

Apple Maps could feature Yelp check-ins in iOS 6

Bloomberg reports that iOS 6 will have Yelp check-ins integrated with Apple's in-house mapping solution, allowing people to use built-in Maps app to let friends know about their location.

This capability has apparently been discovered in materials Apple distributed to software developers...

WiFi Surface could cost nearly as much as 4G iPad

Industry sources asserted that Microsoft's Surface tablet will initially be offered only in WiFi version, even though analysts opine that its lack of cellular connectivity won't be seen as a major limitation.

What could, however, likely be perceived as problematic is the Surface's asking prices, allegedly set at $599. This would put the WiFi-only Surface just thirty bucks shy of Apple's 16GB 4G iPad 3...

Sharp to begin delivering cutting-edge iTV panels to Foxconn in Q3 2012

Back in May, a report quoted Foxconn CEO Terry Gou as saying his company was “making preparations” to assemble a full-blown television set for Apple. It proved bogus when Foxconn issued a statement claiming Gou “neither confirmed nor speculated about Foxconn’s involvement in the production of any product”, but such an ambiguously worded denial only added fuel to fire.

According to a new rumor by Chinese news site 21cbh.com (via AppleInsider), based on talks with a Sharp executive and other sources at the company, Sharp will begin delivering LCD television panels to Foxconn in the third quarter of this year, for the specific purpose of assembling Apple television sets...

TechCrunch: new iPhone confirmed to have 19-pin “mini” dock connector

Earlier this year, we passed along a report claiming that Apple was looking to ditch the 30 pin dock connector in favor of something smaller. It was said that we could see this new port as early as this year.

Since then, we've seen a number of purported "iPhone 5" part leaks that feature a noticeably-smaller charging port at the bottom. And now, TechCrunch says it has just confirmed the change...

Case-makers starting to buy into recent iPhone “leaks”

Despite Tim Cook's vow to "double down on secrecy," we've seen a surprising amount of information regarding the next-generation iPhone in the past few weeks. We know its screen size, resolution, and even have a good idea of what it looks like.

Or do we? Perhaps the amount of data floating around is actually a sign that we don't know anything. Maybe everything we've seen to this point has been fake, or a misdirection. If so, this case manufacturer is about to throw away a ton of money...

Google’s iPad-killer launches next Wednesday?

Piggy-backing on Google chairman Eric Schmidt's last December revelation that his company was working on own tablet, an Asian trade publication claims an Asus-engineered device marketed under the Nexus moniker launches at the Google I/O developers conference, which runs from June 27 through 29 in San Francisco's Moscone West.

It's gonna cost just $199 and feature a seven-inch display, the word on the street has it. The publication also offers tidbits regarding launch plans for Google's first branded tablet...