Rumors

TSMC resolves manufacturing woes, kicks off production of A11 chips for upcoming iPhones and iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 11, 2017

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has commenced production of Apple-designed A11 chips for upcoming iPhones and iPads.

According to a report Thursday from Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes, the semiconductor foundry has successfully resolved initial manufacturing issues in the company's ten-nanometer FinFET process technology.

“TSMC has begun 10nm chip production for Apple's next-generation iPhone 8 series,” sources told the publication. “Production was once affected by issues involving stacking components in the backend integrated fan-out packaging process, but they have already been solved.”

TSMC is Apple's exclusive manufacturer of the in-house designed 16-nanometer A10 Fusion chip for the iPhone 7 series. TSMC's new ten-nanometer process should yield smaller chips that run faster and consume less energy.

TSMC has also secured 12-nanometer chip orders (a smaller version of its 16nm technology) from Nvidia, MediaTek, Silicon Motion Technology and HiSilicon. As for TSMC's 10nm process, the node technology has obtained orders from Apple, MediaTek and HiSilicon, as per sources.

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KGI reiterates iPhone 8 production ramp up will be delayed to as late as October-November

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 10, 2017

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reiterated his previous stance that iPhone 8 production ramp-up will be delayed to as late as October-November versus the normal August-September timeframe due to “major hardware upgrades.”

In a note to clients Tuesday, obtained by MacRumors, the analyst cautioned that any delay is likely to cause severe supply constraints and impact overall shipments during the second half of 2017.

“We are seeing more evidence that the worst-case scenario forecasted in our April 19 report could materialize,” reads the note titled “Rising probability of worst-case scenario for iPhone shipments”.

Kuo goes on to predict that “severe supply shortages” could persist for “a while” following the introduction of new iPhones in September.

“Severe supply shortages may persist for a while after the new models are launched, capping total shipments of new iPhones in the second half of 2017,” reads the note. The revered Apple analyst has now revised his iPhone shipment estimates from 100 to 110 million units down to 80 to 90 million iPhone units for the second half of 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKqCKdEGEPk

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Kuo says it remains to be seen whether demand will fully shift to iPhone 8.

That's because, in Kuo's view, it's still unclear if a rumored 3D sensor will be useful. He also cited other factors such as the potential for Touch ID to be eliminated completely and intensifying smartphone competition.

Here's an excerpt from the note:

While we are positive on potential replacement demand triggered by OLED iPhone, it's too early to determine if demand will shift fully in that direction.

We recommend investors keep tabs on the following issues:

(1) whether the 3D sensor of OLED iPhone provides an innovative user experience;

(2) whether OLED iPhone cancels Touch ID (fingerprint recognition);

and (3) whether Apple's competitors launch more innovative products which could compete with OLED iPhone in 4Q17-2Q18.

If iPhone 8 is indeed facing a delayed launch as Kuo has suggested, Apple could still preview the handset alongside the iterative iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus updates in September.

The company could then choose to launch the OLED iPhone in small quantities before its suppliers are able to fully ramp up production.

Image: CNC-machined iPhone 8 chassis based on leaks via Benjamin Geskin

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Bloomberg: Apple employees are testing rumored Siri smart speaker at home

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 31, 2017

In its write-up about Amazon's newly announced touchscreen-enabled Echo device, Bloomberg mentioned in passing that Apple's employees are now reportedly testing the company's rumored Siri smart speaker at home. “Apple employees have been testing a device at home for several months,” according to people familiar with the matter.

Apple's marketing chief recently talked up the benefits of having a screen on a voice-activated device, but “it's unclear whether the Apple version will in fact have one,” said Bloomberg.

Amazon's $230 Echo Show, pictured below, streams music from Amazon's own service, Spotify and Pandora, but not Apple Music. “We'd love to have Apple, but they're not super big on opening up Apple Music integration,” said Amazon devices chief Dave Limp.

Apple's upcoming AI speaker is likely to feature native Apple Music integration.

It's not unusual for Apple to allow its employees to test unreleased products at home. The fact that the rumored Siri device is being tested with Apple employees indicates that the product is nearly finished and being prepared and bug-tested ahead of a rumored launch next month.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted it would be powered by an iPhone 6s-class custom processor and a custom version of iOS, supporting features like Siri and AirPlay.

“We expect Apple’s first home AI product will have excellent acoustics performance (one woofer and seven tweeters) and computing power similar to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s application processor,” Kuo told clients.

KGI believes there's more than a 50 percent chance that Apple will announce its first home AI product at WWDC 2017 next month. It should start selling in the second half of 2017 and be priced higher than Amazon's existing Echo appliances.

Siri wireless speaker mockup via Twitter user “iFunnyVlogger”.

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Taiwanese outlet claims there will be no delay for iPhone 8 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 8, 2017

We still don't know by how long Apple's OLED-based iPhone 8 might be delayed. Be that as it may, a Taiwanese outlet is saying that the flagship handset is on schedule for an announcement in September alongside the iterative LCD-based iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus updates. Apple should begin selling the new iPhone range in October, the Chinese-language Economic Daily News repoted Monday.

An excerpt from the report:

The report defied previous speculations that volume production of new iPhone devices would be delayed to the fourth quarter of 2017 instead of the original schedule in August-September due to yield rate issues on production of some parts.

Contract manufacturers Foxconn Electronics, Winstron and Pegatron are allegedly hiring and training new workers in China in preparation of mass production of 2017 iPhones.

Suppliers should start ramping up production of new iPhone parts in June.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKqCKdEGEPk

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Some of the suppliers mentioned in the report include semiconductor maker TSMC, substrate-like printed circuit board makers Zhen Ding Technology and Kinsus Interconnect Technology, as well as battery vendor Simplo Technology.

TSMC is thought to begin producing wafers for Apple-designed A11 chips on June 10 ahead of volume production in the second half of July. Zhen Ding and Kinsus should kick off volume production of related iPhone 8 components in June, added the report.

Older reports have said that the Tenth Anniversary iPhone, as it has been affectionally dubbed by the media, would be delayed because of manufacturing issues related to new components.

Concept image: iPhone X with Full Vision Display via iFanr

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Hey Apple, we need to talk about AirPods (again)!

Steffen Reich ∙ May 8, 2017
AirPods teaser

On the back of their latest earnings call, a fair bit of renewed attention has been paid to Apple’s prodigious AirPods. In it, we got confirmation of what owners of the cordless headphones likely already knew, and what analysts were anticipating: AirPods crush customer satisfaction surveys and the sales are, to quote Tim Cook, a runaway success. As such, surely the Cupertino head office must feel in a party mood with regard to their EarPods successor?

Put it this way, something tells me the sound and sight of popping bottles and Eddy Cue flailing his arms to the sound of Pharrell’s Happy will have to wait - because for all their success, almost half a year into their lifecycle AirPods remain a problem child. It only takes one metric and four words to back up that not so outlandish case: ships in six weeks.

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JPMorgan: iPhone 8 to bring enhanced stereo sound and waterproofing, ship with AirPods

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 7, 2017

JPMorgan analysts who track Apple's supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region, including Gokul Hariharan, shared a new research note this week. In it, the they predicted that the company's upcoming iPhone 8 will come outfitted with an enhanced earpiece sporting “further improvements” to stereo sound and waterproofing.

The note, obtained by MacRumors, does not specify what acoustical improvements Apple could introduce to iPhone 8's earpiece.

JPMorgan also made the prediction that AirPods could come as a free accessory with iPhone 8. If true, Apple's $159 wireless earbuds could replace the firm's $29 wired EarPods with Lightning connector that come in the box with current iPhone models.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R17WDY3BIfo

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The research note mentions other previously rumored iPhone 8 features, like an OLED display, a stainless steel and glass design, a faster A11 processor, a larger battery, wireless charging and enhanced cameras with new sensors for 3D mapping, 3D selfies, facial recognition, augmented reality capabilities and more.

The analysts estimate that iPhone 8 will be $75 to $80 more expensive to manufacture.

iPhone 7 became the first iPhone to feature stereo sound.

Rather than use two separate speakers at the bottom of the device, Apple has opted to combine a speaker unit at the bottom with the earpiece at the top to create “immersive stereo sound” delivering two times the audio output of iPhone 6s and increased dynamic range.

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Amazon may launch its video streaming app for Apple TV in the summer

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 5, 2017

After pulling all Apple TV hardware from Amazon.com in December 2015 because it didn't “interact well” with its video-subscription service, online retail giant Amazon has at long last warmed up to the idea of permitting owners of Apple's set-top box to use its service.

Recode reported Friday that the two companies are “close to an agreement” that would bring Amazon's Video app to Apple TV in the third quarter of the year, possibly coinciding with the introduction of a next-generation Apple TV with support for 4K video streaming and more.

“It’s unclear what got the two companies to reach an agreement, though some industry observers suggest that any pact would have been worked out, at a high level, by CEOs Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos,” said Recode.

That app would let Amazon Prime Video subscribers watch TV shows and movies directly on their Apple TV set-top box without having to use AirPlay.

It's unclear if Apple TV hardware will be returning to Amazon.com anytime soon and whether or not the two tech giants might have settled other disputes involving their rival video ambitions.

Last year, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said why they stopped selling Apple TVs:

We want our player, our Prime Video player, to be on the device, and we want it to be on the device with acceptable business terms. And so, you can always get the player on the device; the question is can you do so with acceptable business terms.

And if you can’t, then we don't want to sell it to our customers, because they’re going to be buying it thinking they can watch Prime Video and then they’re going to be disappointed. And they’re going to return it.

Currently, Apple TV owners and Prime members must use AirPlay to wirelessly send movies and TV shows to their Apple TV via Amazon's pretty limited Prime Video app for iOS, which still won't let you buy or rent individual programs without visiting Amazon.com first.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io8NU6iTto0

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“As we have already succeeded in developing an app for iPhone and iPad, we hope to make an app separately for the Apple TV,” said the online retailer a year and a half ago.

The app was supposed to release before the end of 2015, but negotiations between the two tech giants obviously took a lot longer than expected.

Earlier this year, Apple hired Amazon's former Fire TV chief to head up its Apple TV business.

Meanwhile, Amazon’s shopping app is available on the fourth-generation Apple TV with purchasing support for Prime members and other features.

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Bosch wins orders for iPhone 8 motion sensors

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 5, 2017

German engineering and electronics company Robert Bosch GmbH has reportedly landed orders to manufacture motion sensors for Apple's upcoming iPhone 8. According to a report Friday by Bloomberg citing a person familiar with the deal, the German firm could build as much as half of the motion sensors in upcoming iPhones, with InvenSense supplying the rest.

InvenSense counts Apple as its client and files as the primary supplier of the smartphone motion-sensing components, with the iPhone maker accounting for an estimated 60 percent of InvenSense's revenue. In that regard, the Apple-Bosch deal could be a major blow to Invense, shares of which declined more than five percent in extended trading Thursday.

InvenSense is currently seeking to complete its $1.3 billion sale to TDK Corp. The deal is partly aimed at boosting the Japanese company’s business with Apple. Apple was already one of TDK’s biggest customers before the Japanese firm agreed to buy InvenSense in December.

“We aim to become a strong player in the sensor business with InvenSense as our perfect partner,” TDK CEO Shigenao Ishiguro said at the time.

Bosch did supply gyroscopes and accelerometers for Apple in the past and it currently supplies barometric pressure sensors for iPhones. Before iPhone 5s came out, STmicroelectronics used to supply gyroscope sensors for iPhones.

Since iPhone 5s, Bosch has been supplying gyroscopes and accelerometers for iPhone 6 models, with California-based InvenSense providing the gyroscopes and accelerometers in iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 7 on an exclusive basis.

The first Bosch microelectromechanical systems to make its way inside any iPhone was their Sensortech BMA220 unit in iPhone 5s, which initially suffered from inaccuracies that were later fixed via a firmware update.

The iPhone 6 series uses a three-axis accelerometer sensor built by Bosch and InvenSense’s six-axis MPU-6700 accelerometer. Relying on accelerometers from two different vendors helps increase power efficiency.

The Bosch accelerometer has a significantly faster cold start up time than the InvenSense—3ms vs. 30ms, respectively—meaning users see less of a delay.

For games and other apps that require sophisticated inertial sensing capabilities, iPhone 6 uses the InvenSense sensor. For simpler tasks, such as tracking footsteps and rotating the screen to match the device's orientation, the device uses the Bosch sensor.

Photo: Bosch's Sensortech BMA220 accelerometer in iPhone 5s, via Chipworks.

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Another claimed iPhone 8 drawing shows vertically stacked cameras and nearly full-screen face

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 4, 2017

Prolific leakster Steve Hemmerstoffer on Thursday posted a purported image of what appears to be yet another technical drawing that may or may not relate to Apple's upcoming iPhone 8. “This is a tipped leak, which means I can't confirm if legit or not but there you have it,” he wrote on Twitter.

The image “confirms” some of the iPhone 8 rumors, namely an enhanced dual-camera system out the back with vertical rather than horizontal alignment and a nearly full-screen front face with just a tiny physical slit at the top of an OLED display for the earpiece.

As Steve himself says, he got this leak from someone who is not a trusted source yet so do take this report with a pinch of salt. The drawing depicts Apple's quad-LED True Tone flash as sitting between the two cameras. It appears to be built directly into the camera bulge.

I'm not an imaging expert, but positioning the flash LEDs between the cameras may not be smart because the placement might affect the quality of photographs. On the other hand, this could actually be a new 3D camera sensor we've been hearing about, not the actual LED flash.

Benjamin Geskin tweeted out a new image of his updated CAD model of iPhone 8.

As you're seeing above, he has edited the 3D model to match the recently leaked schematics that hinted at the possibility of a charging mat or a coil of sorts on the back of the device.

Unbox Therapy 3D printed a mockup based on the technical drawings provided by Geskin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua61ltayFNg&feature=youtu.be

To reiterate, there's really no way of telling for sure if any of these leaks are accurate or not because real-world iPhone 8 components are yet to leak out from factories in Asia.

ROUNDUP: iPhone 8 concepts and mockups—Part I

A NYU grad student, who spent six weeks working undercover in a factory in Shanghai operated by iPhone manufacturer Pegatron, has reveled that only high-level managers are permitted to bring their phones inside the facilities where future iPhones are being assembled.

“I’m not sure whether photos can get leaked by that,” he said.

Which feature are you most excited for in iPhone 8: an improved dual-lens camera, rumored augmented-reality capabilities, wireless charging, stainless steel construction, an all-new industrial design, an OLED display or something else?

Let us know in the comments!

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iPhone 8 said to offer Bluetooth 5 and wireless charging via Broadcom chip

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 3, 2017

JPMorgan said in yesterday's note to clients ahead of Apple's earnings report that iPhone 8 would implement support for the latest Bluetooth 5.0 standard and wireless charging via a Broadcom chip. Broadcom's chips support both PMA and Qi wireless charging standards, but it's unclear if iPhone 8 might use either of them or rely on Apple's custom version of these standards.

At any rate, Apple's business could add between $500 million and $600 million to Broadcom's annualized revenues, JPMorgan predicted. Though the note doesn't say which new iPhone models will pack wireless charging, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said before that all 2017 iPhones would offer this feature.

Galaxy S8 is the world's first phone with support for the new Bluetooth 5.0 standard, which promises to double the speed and quadruple the range. Bluetooth 5.0 also allows multiple devices to be used at the same time, meaning iPhone 8 could allow two users to watch a movie on the device with two sets of Bluetooth headphones.

Bluetooth 5.0 was certified by Bluetooth Special Interest Group back in June 2016. Apple is a promoting member of the organization with voting rights.

In February of this year, Apple joined Wireless Power Consortium, potentially giving some credence to rumors about wireless charging in iPhone 8. The Cupertino company is listed as a member on the organization's website.

There are currently 213 members of the consortium.

In 2016 year, 152 different brands registered a Qi-compliant product on the official Wireless Power Consortium website, up from 86 in 2015. The Qi protocol is currently used by more than 200 companies and is in 1343 products you can buy now. Apple Watch uses a bespoke version of the Qi wireless charging standard that’s incompatible with existing Qi chargers.

JPMorgan said this morning that there's a “high likelihood” that Apple will pre-announce and preview iPhone 8 at WWDC next month, ahead of its launch in the fall. But if you ask another investment firm—Deutsche Bank—no new iPhone 8 will arrive this year.

“Several supply chain reports have suggested that key component shortages and technical challenges could delay the release of a high-end iPhone 8 device this fall,” reads Deutsche Bank's report. “We believe this report further underscores the uncertainty around the timing of Apple's next-generation iPhone model”.

Photo: ON Charge magnetic wireless charging solution for current iPhones

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