Apple

Mockup time: iPad 5 with iPad mini style skinnier side bezels

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 16, 2013

Remember ahead of last September's iPad mini introduction, when a great deal of shabby renderings tried to depict what the device might look like?

It wasn't until designer Martin uit Utrecht set out to create some beautiful mockups that we started believing that the iPad mini would indeed become a smash hit for the Cupertino, California firm.

Also behind some pretty darn accurate renderings of the then-unreleased iPhone 5, Martin's now back at it with a bunch of new renderings done in Rhinoceros 3D, depicting what a full-size iPad 5 with the reportedly skinnier side bezels might look like. Go right past the fold for some more beautiful mockups...

The Apple-HTC settlement allows for this?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

What you're seeing here isn't one of the early iPhone 5 prototypes. Instead, that's apparently a leaked rendering of an upcoming HTC handset, called the M7. Recognize the familiar two-tone design with the distinct stripes alongside the top and bottom, with a large metal backplate in between?

Funny, we thought the ten-year Apple-HTC cross-licensing deal didn't include rights to the iPhone 5 design. Count us surprised!

Galaxy tablets didn’t copy Apple’s design, Dutch court rules

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 16, 2013

Apple isn't having as much litigation success in Europe as it's had over in the United States, where the jury hit Samsung with a massive $1.05 billion fine in the high-stake Apple v. Samsung trial. Courts in The Netherlands, for example, aren't nearly as sympathetic to Apple's infringement claims.

To refresh your memory, Apple has been claiming that Samsung's Galaxy tablets infringe upon its design patents for the iPad. However, it's been reported this morning that a Dutch court upon closer examination of Apple's claims has ruled that the Galaxy tablets do not infringe an the iPad design. Interestingly enough, the ruling mentions previous decisions in British courts...

Slimmer, lighter iPad 5 with narrower side bezels coming in fall?

Ed Sutherland ∙ January 16, 2013

Apple's next full-size tablet, the iPad 5, will borrow some design elements of the smaller 7.9-inch iPad mini, one analyst forecasts Wednesday. Among the most noticeable changes: the iPad will be both thinner and lighter than the iPad 4, released in October 2012.

Additionally, the Apple watcher expects the tablet maker to unveil an enhanced iPad mini with Retina display matching the resolution of the full-size tablet.

Unlike most observers, this particular analyst thinks that the new 9.7-inch iPad may appear late this year rather than during the current quarter...

Readdle revamps Documents for iPad with cloud integration and powerful media management

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 16, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeWhyGNgUGI

If you use your iPad even occasionally to edit Office documents on the go, chances are you were disappointed hearing that Google snapped up Quickoffice, the maker of the popular mobile productivity suite of the same name. Worry not, Readdle comes to the rescue. Depicted above is their freshly updated Documents software which in this new incarnation becomes the perfect document and media manager for your iPad.

It's tightly integrated with iCloud and other popular cloud-based storage solutions for seamless experience across multiple devices. While Documents won't let you edit your stuff, you can view your media and documents and it's a pretty decent file manager. Best of all, it's free of charge...

Apple, Amazon must enter settlement talks over ‘App Store’ trademark ahead of August trial

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 16, 2013

Amazon last September asked court to drop Apple's suit over its use of the 'Appstore' term in relation to its application store, which launched as the Amazon Appstore for Android, but is now simply called the Amazon Appstore. The service is carrying mobile applications for Android devices and Amazon's own Kindle lineup of tablets and e-readers.

Apple's been arguing from the onset that Amazon has been attempting to free-ride on the popularity of the term Apple helped push by aggressively marketing its App Store. And now, a judge has ordered the two parties to enter settlement talks ahead of trial...

How Apple could implement fingerprint sensor on the next iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 16, 2013

Cody yesterday relayed a note by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who tried to guesstimate which products Apple may introduce or refresh in 2013. In addition to multiple iPhone models and all-high resolution iPad lineup (including the expected iPad mini with Retina display), the analyst expects the next iPhone to adopt a a fingerprint sensor. On the surface, that feature sounds a little off.

I mean, Apple just doesn't put fingerprint sensors inside any of its gadgets, let alone phones, right? Then again, the company did acquire smart sensor maker AuthenTec for $356 million with very specific goals in mind. Shortly after, Apple even sold AuthenTec's enterprise encryption business unit, signaling its intention to presumably focus on the Smart Sensor unit. Here's how the built-in fingerprint sensor could enhance your next iPhone...

Analyst says Apple sold 52 million iPhones last quarter

Cody Lee ∙ January 16, 2013

Apple's quarterly earnings call is coming up next Wednesday, where the company will reveal its iPhone sales and other figures from the holiday quarter. And given its recent stock drop due to iPhone demand concerns, all of Wall Street will be watching.

Essentially, if the Cupertino company wants to stop the bleeding, it needs to report big numbers for last quarter. And according to KGI Securities' well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it will. He thinks Apple sold 52 million iPhones and 23 million iPads...

Apple’s annual shareholders meeting to take place on February 27

Cody Lee ∙ January 16, 2013

Apple notified the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday that it will be holding its annual shareholder meeting on February 27, and boy do they have a lot talk about.

The meeting will be held at Apple's 1 Infinite Loop campus in Cupertino, where stock holders (as of January 2, 2013) will be able to attend and vote on a variety of proposed measures...

Apple’s 2013 product roadmap said to include multiple iPhones, Retina iPad mini and more

Cody Lee ∙ January 16, 2013

With all of the bad publicity Apple's been getting lately, and its stock down 30%, the company could sure use some fresh new products. And according to a new report, it has a number of them in the pipeline for 2013.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who actually has a pretty good track record in predicting Apple's product plans, has just issued a new report outlining what he thinks the company has planned for the year...

Apple reportedly loses VP of Retail Jerry McDougal

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

A new report is out this afternoon claiming that Apple's vice president of retail Jerry McDougal has left the company to spend more time with his family. It's a significant blow, as he's considered to be a big part of Apple's retail success.

McDougal was Ron Johnson's right hand man before he left the company to head up JC Penney in late 2011, and was even said to have been considered for his replacement before Apple decided on the infamous John Browett...

Poll: will impending jailbreak renew your interest in the iPhone?

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 15, 2013

It's open season for Apple doomsayers: the swirling supply cuts rumor has given stock manipulators ammunition to punish AAPL ahead of the earnings calls. But regardless of whether this nonsensical talk stems from a new iPhone model entering production, IGZO display technology being adopted or crazypants analysts having a field day, if you turn to consumers and ask them about their spending plans, you get a different story. None of this brouhaha matters to jailbreak fans eager to explore a bunch of innovative tweaks to personalize their iThings with whatever their heart desires.

There's no way telling when an untethered jailbreak might arrive, but rest assured that the best iOS hackers are working on it. That's bad news for owners of newer devices like the iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S who must be patient and endure Apple's static experience, until the jailbreak finally arrives. But let's pretend for a second that it's here.

Would that reinvigorate your interest in Apple's handset?