Rumors

Could Apple be using Japan Display’s new 5.5-inch Quad HD panel in the iPhone 6?

Cody Lee ∙ March 28, 2014

Apple is currently putting the finishing touches on its next-generation iPhone. And if the flurry of rumors and so-called insider reports are to be believed, the handset is going to feature an Ultra Retina display that will come in two sizes: 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch, among other improvements.

With that in mind, you can understand why this new 5.5-inch panel from Japan Display—a long time Apple supplier—is so interesting to us. Unveiled this week, the panel measures 5.5-inches and is of the Quad HD (aka WQHD) variety, with a resolution of 1,440 x 2,560 and a ppi of 538...

Sketchy schematic drawing of next-gen iPhones surfaces

Cody Lee ∙ March 28, 2014

A fairly sketchy, schematic-like drawing has surfaced on the web this morning depicting what could be two next-gen iPhones. The image, which is of terrible quality, was first published by popular Japanese magazine MacFan and then passed on by Macotakara.

As you can see, the drawing shows two separate handsets: one with a 4.7-inch display and one with a 5.7-inch display. This lines up with several previous reports, as do many of the design elements of the devices such as their bezel-free screens and slim profile...

WSJ: Amazon working on free video streaming service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Much of the tech world seems to be infatuated with Office for iPad today, but I think what's going on over at Amazon is more interesting. Not only is the company expected to unveil a new TV device next week, and working on Internet radio, but a new report claims it's also building a Hulu-like service.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this afternoon that Amazon is planning a free, ad-supported streaming service that will offer video content to all customers—not just Prime members. The outlet says the service could be used to stream original Amazon shows as well as other licensed programming...

Amazon said to be launching its set-top box next week

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2014

Following reports from last week that Amazon is planning to launch its long-awaited Apple TV competitor in next month, Amazon has sent out invites for a media event scheduled for April 2nd. The invitations ask that reporters join the company for an 'update' on its video business.

And according to a new report from Recode, the e-commerce giant is going to use the event to unveil a new set-top box device. Citing sources familiar with Amazon's plans, the outlet says the device will be capable of streaming media to TV sets, competing directly with Apple and Roku...

Nikkei: Apple to launch 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone as early as September

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Japanese news outlet Nikkei threw its weight behind a popular rumor today, reporting that Apple's next-gen iPhone will come in both 4.7- and 5.5-inch models. The theory that the company is working on two new larger-sized handsets has been reiterated several times over the past 6 months.

Citing sources within Apple's supply chain, Nikkei says that manufacturers have already begun making components for the new smartphones, like fingerprint sensors and chips for liquid-crystal drivers, and Sharp, Japan Display and LG will begin mass-producing their panels as early as April...

New photos surface of Apple’s Arizona sapphire plant, possible expansion rumored

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2014

According to a new report from AppleInsider, contractors are working around the clock and on weekends to finish Apple's new sapphire plant in Mesa, Arizona. The site says that work on the facility is progressing, and that the company may be expanding the project with an additional building.

Word that the iPad-maker was teaming up with GT Advanced to build a sapphire production plant first came in November of last year, and it has since remained a popular topic. The Cupertino firm is believed to be using the plant to manufacture components for yet-to-be announced products...

Amazon said to be launching smartphone with 6 cameras soon

Cody Lee ∙ March 20, 2014

With Amazon set to unveil its set-top box next month, the e-commerce giant is approaching full-on Apple competitor. It has the tablets, and the ecosystem, all it needs is a smartphone. And according to a new report, that could be arriving soon as well.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a solid reputation for accurately predicting tech company product plans, says Amazon is preparing to launch its long-awaited handset within the next 3 months. And get this: apparently it'll have 6 cameras...

WSJ: Amazon launching its Apple TV competitor next month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Building on previous reports, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Amazon is set to begin shipping its long-awaited video-streaming device next month. The device will thrust the e-commerce giant into a highly competitive space occupied by Apple, Google and others.

Citing sources familiar with the product, the outlet claims that the device will carry a variety of apps available on Roku and Apple set-top boxes and run on a version of Google's Android software. And like Amazon's other hardware devices, it will likely carry the Fire brand...

Pegatron reportedly gearing up to start iPhone 6 production in Q2

Cody Lee ∙ March 18, 2014

According to a new report from the Commercial Times, Apple supplier Pegatron is gearing up to start mass-producing the iPhone 6. The production is expected to kick off in the second quarter of this year at its Kunshan, China-based plant.

The newspaper says that the manufacturer has already begun recruiting workers in China, and has even opened up a new factory space, in an effort to prepare for large orders from Apple. The new handset is expected to debut later this year...

Apple to reintroduce iPad 4 alongside 8GB iPhone 5c tomorrow

Cody Lee ∙ March 17, 2014

Apple may be planning to reintroduce the discontinued fourth-generation iPad alongside the 8GB iPhone 5c tomorrow, according to a new report from 9to5Mac. The site says that the iPad 4 could replace the current iPad 2 as Apple's low-cost tablet option.

The 4th-gen iPad was originally launched in the fall of 2012, 6 months after the release of the iPad 3. It's significantly more powerful than the iPad 2, with an A6X chip and 1 GB of memory, and it also includes a Retina display and the new Lightning connector...

Microsoft Office for iPad reportedly launching March 27

Cody Lee ∙ March 17, 2014

Last week, Reuters reported that Microsoft had a full version of its Office suite ready to release for the iPhone and iPad, it just wasn't sure when the company would pull the trigger. Well it looks like we may have just found the answer: this month.

According to a pair of scoops by both The Verge and ZDNet, Microsoft has scheduled a March 27 press briefing to discuss "the intersection of cloud and mobile computing." And it's going to use the event to launch the long-awaited Office for iPad...

Steve Jobs told executives Apple would not release a TV

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

When the magic dust of the iPad settled, pundits and analysts alike began to wonder out loud what Apple was going to do next. What product category was the company going to revolutionize next? And for the longest time, a lot of folks thought it was going to be televisions.

Some even believed that's what Steve Jobs was referring to when he said he had "finally cracked" the secret of TV. But according to a passage from Yukari Kane's new book 'Haunted Empire: Apple After Steve Jobs,' the co-founder never wanted Apple to release its own TV set...