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Tag: Rumors

  • Inexpensive 8GB iPhone 4 Launching Alongside iPhone 5?

    The word rumor has almost became synonymous with the Apple iPhone.

    Several times a day a new rumor begins to spread and sends all the curious fanboys over the edge. Today’s rumor du jour comes by the way of Reuters. “Two people with knowledge of the matter” have told them that Apple is prepping the launch of an inexpensive 8GB iPhone 4, and could be hitting store shelves “within weeks“. The perpetrated timeframe of this could see it launch alongside the chupacabra of the tech world, the iPhone 5.

    Reuters gives the full deets below:

    “Asian suppliers to Apple Inc have begun manufacturing a lower-priced version of its hot-selling iPhone 4 with a smaller 8 gigabyte flash drive, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

    The flash drive for the 8GB iPhone 4 is being manufactured by a Korean company, one of the people said Tuesday, declining to name the company. Apple currently sources its flash drives from Japan’s Toshiba and South Korea’s Samsung Electronics.”

    Currently Apple offers an iPhone 4 in 16GB and 32GB for $199 and $299, respectively, coupled with a two-year service contract. It’s been rumored that the new inexpensive 8GB iPhone 4 will try to hit the sweet spot for consumers, $99. Both Telus and Virgin Mobile have seen success with that price point concerning the iPhone 4.

    Does an inexpensive 8GB iPhone 4 make sense for Apple? Tell us your thoughts.

  • iPhone 5 Rumors: Alleged Parts Leak Ahead of Alleged October Release Date

    iPhone 5 Rumors: Alleged Parts Leak Ahead of Alleged October Release Date

    The latest on the iPhone 5 rumor front is a handful of leaked photos of parts that allegedly belong to the upcoming iPhone 5 (the alleged name of Apple’s next phone).

    MacRumors is pointing to the website of TVC Mall, which has photos up for a battery, back camera lens and headphone/earphone audio jack flex cable. TVC Mall is a supplier of iPhone parts, and each of the parts here come with the “iPhone 5” label on the site.

    The battery, which it says is 3.7V:

    iPhone 5 battery?

    The back camera lens:

    iPhone 5 camera lens?

    The headphone audio jack ribbon flex cable:

    iPhone5 Flex Cable?

    MacRumors shares in a separate article, photos of the battery from UK repair shop iPatchiPods, which show the same battery, though the labeling is slightly different, indicating they’re of a late development prototype.

    Christian Zibreg at 9to5Mac notes that the camera part pictured appears to lack dual LED flash, adding, “Of course, you never know with those leaks. For all we know, this part could just as easily have been used in one of early iPhone 5 design prototypes. It could also be the case of a repair shop looking for some free coverage.”

    The latest release date rumors have the iPhone 5 launching on October 7.

  • iPhone 5 Release Date Rumors: Early October Says AT&T

    iPhone 5 Release Date Rumors: Early October Says AT&T

    It seems like the most widely accepted rumor surrounding the iPhone 5 these days is an early October release. That, accompanied by a September announcement event, is what most of the latest reports have said.

    Put this in the “more evidence” column:

    Boy Genius Report is quoting their “high level AT&T source” in reporting that the iPhone 5 is definitely slated for and early October release. Apparently, an AT&T Vice President has told several employees that the iPhone 5 will be coming to stores in October.

    Speaking to some store managers he reportedly said, “expect things to get really really busy in the next 35-50 days – so prepare your teams accordingly.”

    This new information corroborates the latest specific release date rumor of October 7th.

    Rumors have also been swirling about Apple’s other high-profile device, the iPad 3. The latest rumors have that release set for early 2012 with a trial production period set for October 2011.

    Rumor fatigue can really weigh on you, but it’s interesting when new rumors reinforce the validity of previous rumors, as is the case with this new one. That’s assuming that the words “rumor” and “validity” ever belong in the same sentence.

    When I become poisoned with rumor fatigue, I find that music is a great antidote. How about something off of Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 album Rumours? Yeah, that sounds fitting.

    For some more rumory goodness, check out these other iPhone 5 articles –

    iPhone 5 Releasing With 4G LTE Support?

    Rumor: iPhone 5 Releasing With Built-In Projector?

    iPhone 5 Bigger Display? Thinner Bezel?

  • iPad 3 Release Date Rumored Early 2012

    iPad 3 Release Date Rumored Early 2012

    It’s Friday morning, how about some new Apple rumors to start the day?

    According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is currently working with suppliers to begin a trial production of its next-gen tablet device, the iPad 3. The trial production is apparently set for October, which would mean an early 2012 release date for the finished product.

    The WSJ cites “people familiar with the situation” who say that the Cupertino company has “ordered key components such as display panels and chips.”

    Earlier reports indicated that Apple was eyeing a fall release of the iPad 3, just in time for the holiday season. On Tuesday, we told you that a 2011 release was probably unlikely due to delays involving the retina display technology.

    “Suppliers will ramp up production and try to improve the yield rate for the new iPad in the fourth quarter before its official launch in early 2012.”

    As far as the specs of the iPad 3? Apparently we can expect the high resolution display after all. The screen is said to be 9.7 inches with a 2048 by 1536 resolution:

    Apple Inc. is working with component suppliers and its assembler in Asia for the trial production of its next generation iPad from October, people familiar with the situation say, as it looks to stay ahead of the competition in the fast-growing tablet computer market. The next generation iPad is expected to feature a high resolution display – 2048 by 1536 compared with 1024 by 768 in the iPad 2 – and Apple’s suppliers have already shipped small quantities of components for the sampling of the iPad 3. Suppliers said Apple has placed orders for a 9.7-inch screen device.

    Of course, iPad 3 rumors have taken a backseat to iPhone 5 rumors these days. The latest rumor sets that release for October 7th with a pre-order period starting September 30th.

  • HP to Explore PC Spin Off, Acquire Autonomy

    Update: HP has officially announced its intent to acquire Autonomy in what would amount to about $10.2 billion at $42.11 per share.

    The exact words of the announcement are that they have: “announced the terms of a recommended transaction under which HP (through an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, HP SPV) will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Autonomy for £25.50 ($42.11) per share in cash (the ‘Offer’). The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both HP and Autonomy. The Autonomy board of directors also has unanimously recommended its shareholders accept the Offer.”

    Word has been making its way throughout the tech news circuit that HP is in talks to buy database search software makers Autonomy for somewhere in the ballpark of $10 billion. Talk has also indicated that they would discontinue webOS devices and spin off their PC business.

    HP has put out a press release addressing the talk.

    HP announced that it is in discussions with Autonomy regarding a possible offer for the company. The company also announced its intentions to announce that its board of directors has authorized the exploration of alternatives for its Personal Systems Group. The company says it will consider a broad range of options that may include (among others) full or partial separation of this group from HP through a spin-off or other transition.

    The company also says it plans to announce that it will discontinue operations for webOS devices (specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones), and it will continue to explore options to “optimize the value of webOS software going forward).

    HP also announced preliminary results for its third fiscal quarter 2011, with revenue of $31.2 billion – up from a year ago, when it was $30.7 billion.

    Here’s more on the financials from the release:

    In the third quarter, preliminary GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.93 and non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.10, compared with third quarter fiscal 2010 GAAP diluted EPS of $0.75 and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.08. Non-GAAP diluted EPS estimates exclude after-tax costs related primarily to the amortization of purchased intangible assets of approximately $0.17 per share and $0.33 per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively.

    For the fourth fiscal quarter of 2011, HP estimates revenue of approximately $32.1 billion to $32.5 billion, GAAP diluted EPS in the range of $0.44 to $0.55, and non-GAAP diluted EPS in the range of $1.12 to $1.16. Non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance excludes after-tax costs of approximately $0.61 to $0.68 per share, related primarily to restructuring and shutdown costs associated with webOS devices, the amortization and impairment of purchased intangibles, restructuring charges and acquisition-related charges.

    HP estimates full-year FY11 revenue will be approximately $127.2 billion to $127.6 billion, down from its previous estimate of $129 billion to $130 billion. FY11 GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $3.59 to $3.70, down from its previous estimate of at least $4.27, and FY11 non-GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $4.82 to $4.86, down from its previous estimate of at least $5.00. FY11 non-GAAP diluted EPS estimates exclude after-tax costs of approximately $1.16 to 1.23 per share, related primarily to restructuring and shutdown costs associated with webOS devices, the amortization and impairment of purchased intangibles, restructuring charges and acquisition-related charges.

  • Lindsay Lohan Denies Buying Cocaine On Twitter

    @lindsaylohan
    Lindsay Lohan    X17 is nuts! their false stories are absurd and gross… 33 minutes ago via WhoSay · powered by @socialditto

  • iPhone 5 Rumors: November Release Date in Russia?

    Another day, another rumor – but this time with some international flair.

    Russian publication RBC daily is reporting that the much anticipated iPhone 5 could hit the shelves in their country in November.

    Apparently, the Russian handset retailers are in direct negotiations with Apple to speed up shipments of Apple devices to the country. This comes from two sources inside the mobile “retail market.”

    Generally, iPhones have been appearing in Russia long after they launch in the U.S. and Europe – up to 6 months in most cases. Russian retailers obviously want to eliminate some of that delay. Here is an explanation of the situation, courtesy of RBC (note: the original page is in Russian, so this is a Google translate version)

    Russian operators are negotiating with Apple to supply the iPhone 5, told RBC daily two sources for cellular retail market. According to them, this time mobile companies are trying to achieve the optimal term supply pipes from the American manufacturer. “In general, official aids on the shelves of Russian stores, usually appearing only six months after the official release, that is after premieres not only in the U.S. and Europe. Russian operators want to speed up delivery times “, – says one of the RBC daily. According to preliminary unofficial data, iPhone 5 in Russia may appear as early as November.

    “To reduce delivery times operators have long wanted. Indeed, because of delays in Russia, there are many “gray” pipes. And this essentially takes the income of MTS and “VimpelCom” who are forced to wait for official release in Russia “, – says head of research Dennis Agency Telecomdaily pieces. In his view, to include Russia in the list of countries receiving iPhone immediately after the premiere of a new vehicle in the U.S., is quite real. “For Apple this is quite large, important market.”

    It seems like service providers are a little miffed that they are unable to sell the actual handsets to customers, only the service to customers who have acquired the handsets through other means.

    One of those providers mentioned, VimpelCom, told RBC that yes, they are in negotiations with Apple for expedited supply.

    This is important to American and European customers because it implies an earlier release date than November for them. If the Russians project November, that’s more evidence to suggest a September/October release here. And as we know, that speculation has been flying around all week.

    Still sick of iPhone 5 rumors? Check out this uber-creepy case for your existing iPhone 3Gs or 4. It will definitely help cure the rumor fatigue.

    [Hat Tip to TNW]

  • Apple Rumor: Streaming Movie Rentals

    Apple Rumor: Streaming Movie Rentals

    Tired of hearing rumors about Apple products? I didn’t think so. The iPhone 5 isn’t the only Apple product (or potential product, I should say) getting some attention from the press. There is speculation going around that Apple may be looking to launch a Netflix competitor.

    Before we get into the sources of such speculation, let’s just acknowledge that the concept itself makes a great deal of sense. Netflix has built a very solid brand for itself over the years, despite a bit of tarnishing in recent weeks, but it’s already getting competition from major web players like Amazon and Google. Apple, with its popular devices, operating systems, and iTunes store, as well as its existing competition with Amazon and Google seems like an ideal candidate for such a service. Let’s not forget about Apple TV and its rumored foray into actual televisions.

    Jay Yarow at Business Insider reports on a note from Peter Misek at Jeffries, who says, “As part of Apple’s roll-out of cloud video services (and eventually an iTV), we believe Apple has unannounced deals with all/most of the studios/TV networks that are similar to the subscription streaming deal between Amazon and CBS.”

    He also points out that Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer recently said that “some neat stuff is coming” for iTunes movies and TV content.

    Meanwhile, AppDevice is running a story today called “Exclusive: Apple to Launch iTunes Replay in the COming Weeks,” which says the publication “has been told and was able to independently confirm that Apple is on the edge of finally launching a full fledged re-downloading and possibly streaming service named iTunes replay.”

    This would reportedly include re-downloading and possibly streaming of not only music, but TV shows and movies.

    Don’t forget that Google is now renting movies via the Android Market (not to mention YouTube) – the prime competitor to Apple’s App Store.

    Either way, it looks like consumers are going to have more and more options for renting streaming movies from various devices, including the desktop, moving forward. Facebook movie rental appears to be on the rise as well.

  • iPhone 5 Rumors – Release Date Back to September?

    The truth is, this is getting ridiculous. Frankly, it’s getting exhausting to keep up. The iPhone 5 rumors have been flying around for months, which is fine, but the release date stuff is just getting out of hand during this final stretch.

    It is September? Is it August? No, it’s September. Wait, maybe it’s October. How about October 1st? That’s close to September, but still in October. No, it’s probably in September. Or is it? …

    Yeesh.

    While popular speculation earlier this week was October, it seems that September is is back as the front runner for iPhone 5 release date months. I hope this is right, because the sooner it comes out, the the sooner we can stop worrying about what month it comes out. Then we can focus on the iPad 3 rumors. Is it coming out in January? Next June? Tomorrow? Never? We’ll find out eventually, but I can’t wait to go through this rigamarole with the next Apple device. Or maybe we should focus on worrying about the iPhone 6.

    Anyway, the latest on the iPhone 5 rumor front, as mentioned, is that it’s looking like September again. Digitimes is reporting that “Pegatron Technology has landed orders for 10 million units of iPhone 5 to become the second ODM of the smartphone. Shipments will start in September, according to industry sources.”

    Charles Arthur at Guardian also makes the case that the October rumors “don’t fit the way Apple operates – nor the details emerging from carriers”.

    “Apple’s iOS5, which will obviously power the next iPhone version, is rolling towards a September release,” he says, adding “my carrier sources tell me that the boxes in which the new iPhone hardware is encased have been transported to carriers for testing. This is an important step in the release cycle for any phone….. Either way, the new iPhones are in the system, which means they now just have to get approval – which will probably only take a few weeks at most – and can then be signed off for manufacturing.”

    He also quotes Steve Jobs on a past release, as saying, “Every single week before the holidays counts, and we didn’t want to wait two weeks when every week counts with very high volumes.”

    It’s a pretty good point. No dispute there.

    Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster made some projections based on a survey of indicating that the iPhone 5’s release will mean huge market growth for Apple (compared to Android). More on that here.

  • iPhone 5: Apple’s Weapon Against Android?

    iPhone 5: Apple’s Weapon Against Android?

    It looks like we have reached the “rumor-a-day” phase of the iPhone 5 mania. With the latest rumors hinting at either a September or early October release date, we might be only a month or two away from Apple’s next-gen smartphone.

    According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, a lot of people are ready to shell out the dough for the new iPhone when it drops – not just current Apple customers.

    He made some projections based on a survey of 216 mobile phone users and decided that the huge demand for the iPhone 5 could translate to Apple doubling their market share – a market that is currently controlled by Android OS mobile devices.

    Here’s what the makeup of the survey group looks like – 29% currently own iPhones (3G, 3Gs or 4 not specified), 17% currently own Android phones and 28% currently own a BlackBerry. The rest own other types of phones.

    Of everyone in the survey, 64% said that they plan on buying an iPhone 5. 60% said that they are simply waiting for the iPhone 5 to come out, and that they will buy it then even if their current phone is still working and their contract is still valid. If only 29% of respondents currently own an iPhone, this means that a giant percentage of non-iPhone users want to make the switch.

    In fact, 42% of Android OS users said they will probably switch to iOS when the iPhone 5 drops. In contrast, only 6% of iOS users said they would be switching to Android when they purchase their next phone.

    94% of iPhone users plan on buying another iPhone. That’s some customer satisfaction.

    The iPhone 5 might also help Verizon specifically – of the 55% of non-iPhone users that expect to buy an iPhone, 74% said that they were waiting on the iPhone 5.

    Will the iPhone 5 bring Apple closer to market supremacy?

    The latest buzz about the device in question is that it will have a slightly larger display than the 4 and a thinner bezel. Some reports point to an October 1st release date, a little later than the previously discussed mid-September release date.

    For a more in-depth roundup of today’s iPhone 5 buzz, check out this rumors article.

  • iPhone 5 Rumors: Release Date October 1? Bigger Display?

    iPhone 5 Rumors: Release Date October 1? Bigger Display?

    Today is another day, so naturally, there are more iPhone 5 rumors going around. Another rumor has come from the supply chain, as they often do, indicating that the device may come with a larger display and a thinner design.

    Previous rumors suggested that the device would be thinner and lighter, but this appears to be the latest rumor on the design of the device itself. AppleInsider’s Neil Hughes says Analyst Shaw Wu of Sterne Agee says his sources say the device will have a “slightly larger display than the current 3.5-inch screen found on the iPhone 4,” that it is expected to feature the “same dual-core A5 processor already found in the iPad 2,” and that it will feature a “similar form factor and size to the iPhone 4, but will sport a thinner bezel.”

    MacRumors, which I would consider something of an authority on Apple rumors (if rumors can have authorities) says, “Wu does not have a terribly good track record when it comes to iPhone rumors, and some of the case designs floating around and said to have been designed based on the iPhone 5’s form factor instead show a slightly teardrop shape with rounded or tapered edges, with the latter feature much more akin to earlier iPhone models than the iPhone 4.”

    Well, that’s why a rumor is a rumor. Who knows?

    Eric Slivka at MacRumors also points to a BGR report citing a “reliable source” at Canada’s Telus talking about an interal document that has the iPhone 5 pegged for an October 1st release date – something MacRumors is also skeptical about, suggesting that this is probably just a placeholder date.

    Rumors did arise this week, that the device is expected to launch in October, after months of rumors that it would come out in September (with August even being mentioned at one point). October 1 would put it right on the edge of September and October obviously, and as BGR points out, that would fall on a Saturday – the busiest day of the week for mobile stores.

    Regardless of what the design ends up looking like and what day the device is actually launched. I think it’s safe to say that you can rest assured that it’s going to sell pretty well. Apple keeps managing to outdo itself in earnings reports. In its most recent, Apple reported a 142% increase in iPhone sales year-over-year, contributing to to $28.57 billion in revenue for the quarter – a record quarter for iPhone sales.

    iOS 5, Apple’s upcoming operating system update will launch this fall, but no specific date has been given yet. Developers have now been treated to the iCloud web interface, however.

  • iPhone 5 Rumors: Release Date Now October?

    iPhone 5 Rumors: Release Date Now October?

    Rumors have been going around for months that the next version of the iPhone would see the light of day in September. Here it is now August, and it appears to be getting closer.

    Or is it?

    Just as we get a month closer to the expected September release date, the rumor mill goes and pushes the devices’s launch back a month. So perhaps we’re just standing still.

    John Paczkowski at All Things D is reporting, citing “sources with knowledge of the situation” that October is when we can expect the iPhone 5 launch (if it is in fact actually called the iPhone 5). Of course no date has been given, so that could put it anywhere from just missing that September release to Halloween.

    Some rumors in the past have even suggested that the device could come as early as August, but until now, the general consensus has kept it in September.

    The device is expected to be thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4, run on a wireless baseband chip from Qualcomm, and come with an 8-megapixel camera. Other rumors that have been tossed around throughout the year have been that the device may not come with NFC technology (which would be huge, considering Google’s big Payments plan…meanwhile, others suggest that it will come with NFC), that it could come to T-mobile, and that it will have a built-in bumper (which would presumably prevent another antennagate.

    Of course, a rumor is a rumor, and there have been tons of them surrounding this particular device for months and months. In October, we’ll finally get to see just which ones were on the money.

    Or will we?

    Apple reported a 142% increase in iPhone sales year-over-year when it reported its fiscal year third quarter earnings, which contributed to $28.57 billion in revenue. That was a record for iPhone sales by the way.

    iOS 5 is expected to launch this fall, but no specific date has been given for this yet either.

  • Amazon Tablet On The Way, According to Sources

    Today, there are more rumors about Amazon’s leap into the tablet market.

    The Wall Street Journal has cited “people familiar with the matter” in predicting that the online retailer will release its iPad rival sometime before October.

    This new information seems to corroborate rumors reported last month by DigiTimes. Their sources were Taiwan-based component makers who said that Amazon planned to launch their tablet in the fall in order to capitalize on the upcoming holiday season.

    They reported that Amazon had a sales goal of 4 million units by the end of the year.

    According to the WSJ’s sources, the new Amazon tablet will have a roughly 9-inch screen and will run on Android OS. As you would expect, the tablet will provide easy access to Amazon’s ebooks, music and app store. The sources also said that the Amazon tablet will not be sporting a camera.

    According to the sources, Amazon will also release two new members of the Kindle family around the same time. The first will be a touchscreen model that will be poised to go up against Barnes & Noble’s New Nook “Simple Touch” e-reader.

    The second new Kindle will be a cheaper version of the current basic Kindle. If the rumors prove true, both will try to compete in a crowded field of e-readers during this holiday shopping season.

    Can an Amazon tablet compete with the dominance of the iPad? It’s hard to say. Nothing has really been able to challenge the iPad’s place atop the throne. According to other rumors, the newest iPad will debut this fall under the name “iPad HD.” It will sport an incredibly high-res screen (2048 x 1536) and would be primarily for professionals who wish to do serious work on their tablets.

    [Image Courtesy]

  • Report: Google to Launch Data Exchange for Advertisers in Coming Weeks

    Report: Google to Launch Data Exchange for Advertisers in Coming Weeks

    If you use Google products, Google probably has a fair amount of data about you. Of course, it provides a dashboard, where you can see just what they do have, and adjust accordingly, but it’s unlikely that the majority of users bother, while many probably don’t even realize it’s available to them.

    Now that Google+ is out, Google is getting a whole lot more data, and if the new social network were ever to reach Facebook-like levels of usage, the amount of data would just be enormous. This kind of data has been invaluable to Facebook and its advertisers, and Google could soon have a lot more to offer its own advertisers.

    On top of that, according to Michael Learmonth at AdAge, the company is building an exchange for advertisers to buy and sell data. He reports:

    Here’s how a data exchange works: publishers and third-party providers, such as BlueKai and Exelate, would be able to feed their data into the market and advertisers could dip in and buy audience segments, such as people shopping for new cars or planning a trip, soccer moms in Ohio, or readers of certain sites like The New York Times. That data, attached to a cookie, is used to target advertising to the right people. Online publishers using Google’s ad server, DoubleClick, would be able to sell data on their audiences in the exchange as easily as they might sell ad space.

    Google declined to comment on the specifics or offer a timetable for a data-exchange product, though executives briefed on their plans believe it is perhaps weeks away from rolling out at least some of its functionality.

    After interviewing Google ad guy Neal Mohan, Learmonth also says the end result might not be a single product, but capabilities across Google’s online display infrastructure.

    Google is currently in the process of trying to acquire ad optimization firm AdMeld. The purchase is currently being scrutinized by the Department of Justice. The investigation is aimed at determining if Google’s dominance in search advertising could make this an anticompetitive buy, and will examine Google’s plans for expansion strategies related to the acquisition.

    “The acquisition is designed to help publishers get the most from the rapidly growing display advertising industry, which is both complicated and incredibly competitive — the emergence in recent years of a huge variety of technologies for publishers, like Admeld’s, is great evidence of that,” a Google spokesperson has been quoted as saying. The Federal Trade Commission has since launched its own antitrust investigation into Google’s broader business practices.

  • iPad HD On The Way?

    iPad HD On The Way?

    The Apple rumor mill is always busy, but it has been especially busy in the last couple of days. Today, we move away from the buzzed about iPhone 5 and turn our focus on the tablet world – the world of the next-generation iPad.

    Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reported that sources had detailed to them the release date and a couple of specs of the much anticipated iPhone 5. Their sources were component suppliers, and they said that Apple instructed them to ready themselves for a lofty goal – 25 million units by the end of the year.

    They said that a Q3 2011 release date was expected.

    This information coincided with various reports from a couple of weeks back that predicted an August production kickoff and an eventual September release date.

    What will that iPhone look like? Well, according to the component suppliers it will be thinner and lighter. It will also sport an 8-megapixel camera and a Qualcomm wireless baseband chip.

    But that’s not the only Apple product that will hit shelves before Christmas. According to This is My Next, the iPad family is set to get another member. No, it won’t be a radical redesign and sport the title of iPad 3, it will apparently be a high-res update to the iPad 2 called the “iPad HD.”

    From TiMN –

    As hard as it might be to believe, the new tablet is said to sport a double resolution screen (2048 x 1536), and will be dubbed the “iPad HD.” The idea behind the product is apparently that it will be a “pro” device aimed at a higher end market — folks who work in video and photo production possibly — and will be introduced alongside something like an iPad version of Final Cut or Aperture. This product is specifically said to not be the iPad 3, rather a complimentary piece of the iPad 2 line. Think MacBook and MacBook Pro.

    So extremely high-res is the goal here. It would no doubt cost a pretty penny and cater to those “pros” who really want to do serious professional work on a tablet. This would definitely explain those retina display rumors that were flying around a while back.

    Here’s a bonus tidbit from TiMN’s source: Remember all that talk about two new iPhones coming out within the next year? Possibly an iPhone 4S that would predate the iPhone 5? People said that it would not be a radical redesign, simply a component update for the iPhone 4.

    Their source said that they have been testing the newer, smaller components in old iPhone cases. This could give the impression to some that a faster phone might be coming out that looks similar to the iPhone 4 – making it seem like the next iPhone wouldn’t be changing its look very much.

    But Apparently the iPhone 4 model is “out of favor” with the Apple higher-ups, so we can expect something different when the iPhone 5 finally does surface.

  • iPhone 5 Rumored Thinner, Lighter

    Keeping up with Apple products rumors is a full-time job, but we do our best around here to keep loyal iOS fanatics apprised of the latest. The newest information from “people familiar with the situation” provides a little more detail to release date rumors discussed a couple of weeks ago.

    The Wall Street Journal has spoken to some anonymous suppliers of components for the new Apple product and report that the new version of the iPhone will be “thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4.” Of course, we speculate that this will be the iPhone 5, but it’s entirely possible that the new phone could be called something different (4S, perhaps?).

    The new iPhone will apparently run on a wireless baseband chip from Qualcomm and will sport an 8-megapixel camera.

    Apple is expecting the buzz for their new phone to be significant, according to suppliers. One told the WSJ that Apple has told them to prepare for a lofty goal –

    “Apple’s sales estimates of the new iPhone is quite aggressive. It told us to prepare to help the company meet its goal of 25 million units by the end of the year,” said another person at one of Apple’s suppliers. “The initial production volume will be a few million units… we were told to ship the components to assembler Hon Hai in August.”

    By comparison, Apple reported that it sold 18.6 million iPhones in the fiscal second quarter.

    When, when, when? This is obviously the most important question, and the new rumors back up a couple of previous reports that we told you about. According to the suppliers, the new iPhone (5?) will launch sometime in Q3, which of course would be in time for the holidays.

    This timeframe mirrors reports by Bloomberg and AppleInsider that both project August production of the new iPhone and a September release.

    So thinner and lighter? Sounds good. As far as the actual design of the new phone, rumors exist all across the spectrum. While some have predicted little to no change in the design, BGR quoted a reliable source in saying that we should “expect a radical new case design.”

  • Facebook’s Awesome New Thing: Skype-Powered Video Chat?

    Not to be outdone by Google and all the buzz (no pun intended) surrounding their brand new social project, Google +, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made an announcement of his own yesterday.

    Speaking to reporters at Facebook’s Seattle office, Zuckerberg said that his company would “launch something awesome” next week.

    What is this awesome thing that will blow us all away next week? Speculations ranged from the debut of the new Facebook app for the iPad to the launch of the much talked about Facebook photo-sharing app for iPhone.

    Today, some people received a vague invitation from Facebook that simply asked them to “please join us for an event at Facebook.” It is said to be an invite-only event and that space is limited. Here’s what the invite looks like –

    Those chat bubbles now make a lot of sense, as TechCrunch is reporting that Facebook plans to launch in-browser video chat powered by Skype. They base this on a source with “knowledge of the partnership.”

    The product has been built on Skype and will include a desktop component. It’s not clear to me whether that means it will just work if a user has Skype already installed on the computer, or if additional software will need to be downloaded even if the user already uses Skype. But from the user’s perspective, the product will be an in browser experience.

    Apparently this is not the entirety of Facebook’s huge new project, but definitely a part of it.

    This could be huge for both Facebook and Skype. Skype will now have access to a Facebook user base that more than quadruples its own. Facebook will look to make its service even more inclusive with seamless video chat that is launched straight from the page.

    And of course, Skype serves as a link between Facebook and Microsoft, who bought the service back in May.

  • FTC Eyeing Twitter, According to Report, Others Question Validity

    FTC Eyeing Twitter, According to Report, Others Question Validity

    Business Insider is running a report claiming “Twitter is under federal investigation” from the Federal Trade Commission. This is related to how the company has dealt with third-party apps: acquiring things like Tweetie and TweetDeck turning them into proprietary apps, shutting down third-party Twitter ad networks, and launching its own photo/video sharing functionality, effectively rendering third-party apps that provide such functionality useless.

    Twitter has ruffled developers feathers quite a bit in the last year or so, but is this all enough to warrant regulatory scrutiny? Neither Twitter nor the FTC has commented on the matter.

    So far, the only other publication I see talking about this is TheNextWeb, which is questioning the authenticity of the report. “I’m playing the role of skeptic here, though, because much of what is being reported as the cause of the investigation doesn’t make sense,” writes the publication’s Brad McCarty. “If we look back at the case of UberSocial, the app was accused of not only violating trademark with its name, but also of mishandling how it sent direct messages that were over 140 characters in length.”

    Nicholas Carlson at Business Insider shares a quote from Bill Gross, CEO of UberMedia (operator of UberSocial), who also once launched TweetUp as a Twitter ad network. The quote is: “We have been contacted by the FTC and are in the process of responding to their requests.”

    Carlson also says another app maker said they were advised by their lawyer not to talk about it.

    The report does follow another from GigaOm, that Twitter is set to launch a site for developers designed to provide developers with more information, and presumably communication. Carlson thinks this is related.

    Update: Forbes has put out an article basically saying the BI article is full of it.

  • iPhone 5 Rumors: Release Date Still Looking Like September

    Most of the rumors that have been going around for a while now, have suggested that we would see Apple releasing the iPhone 5 (if that’s what it actually ends up being called) come out in September. Last week, Boy Genius Report said it could even be August, but still the general consensus has pretty much kept it in September.

    BGR wrote: ““We have been told by a reliable source to expect a radical new case design for the upcoming iPhone, though we have not been given any additional details surrounding the design of the new iPhone case. What about a release, then? The consensus is that Apple is going to announce the next-generation iPhone at the company’s annual September event, traditionally focused on iPods, but we have heard it’s quite possible Apple will break tradition. According to our source, Apple may hold an event in the beginning or middle of August to announce the new iPhone, with availability to follow in the last week of August.”

    Following that, Bloomberg put out a report saying the company “plans to introduce a new iPhone in September that boasts a stronger chip for processing data and a more advanced camera, according to two people familiar with the plans.”

    Now, AppleInsider is reporting that production of the the device is projected for August, with a late third-quarter (ending in September) launch, based on “intelligence obtained by one investment banker’s recent trip to Taiwan.” That would be Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, who apparently met with people unknown in Taiwan, where Apple’s supply chain and manufacturing facilities are. She also noted that cheaper iPhones may be in the works.

    Interestingly, Huberty also reportedly said that those televisions we began hearing about last week may also be in the works, saying she believes Apple is in the “early design stages” for it. Last week’s report came from DailyTech said that a former executive claimed Apple would enter the TV display business late this year, tapping a “major OEM” to sell iOS-powered, Apple branded displays.

    Rumors of the next iPad coming with a higher resolution screen also emerged.

    Apple’s iOS 5, the next version of the iPhone’s operating system is due out this fall. The company demoed it at its Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month.

  • GoDaddy May Get Purchased for $2.5 Billion

    GoDaddy might be transferring ownership soon. The Wall Street Journal is reporting, citing “people familiar with the matter,” that private equity firms KKR & Co. and Silver Lake Partners, along with Technology Crossover Ventures (as a minority investor) are looking to purchase GoDaddy Group Inc. for between $2 billion and $2.5 billion, and that current CEO Bob Parsons would maintain his role, though these people also reportedly say that an agreement may not be reached.

    Most of GoDaddy’s press in recent months has been centered around either the company’s charitable donations to non-profit organizations like Hope For Haiti, or around Parsons’ killing of an elephant in Zimbabwe (a subject Parsons himself has brought up several times since the controversy first spread), which let to some customers claiming they would take their business elsewhere, and competing domain registrars offering deals for those jumping ship.

    There is more to GoDaddy than just charity, elephant-killing, and even domain names, however. The offer web hosting, email, security, search, design, consulting, and various business services. The company is widely known for its sometimes controversial Super Bowl ads and its use of scantily clad women in its marketing campaigns.

    Earlier this week, GoDaddy launched an anti-cyberbullying campaign. The company donated $200,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Arizona, in order to expand the organization’s technology labs, add new computers and incorporate education about how to combat bullies who use the Internet to harass others.

    “I have seen first-hand how mean-spirited people can be on the Internet,” Parsons said. “It’s just too easy to use a keyboard and a computer as a tool to bully and intimidate people. Go Daddy wants to help young people learn how to deal with cyberbullies … the right way.”

    In fact, in our previous coverage of the ongoing GoDaddy elephant saga, we pointed to a tweet from Parsons where he called one of his critics a bully.

    No tweets about a possible buyout yet.

    On another GoDaddy-related note, the company’s competitors are still looking to capitalize on the elephant-controversy. Domain.com has been running an ad (seen below on Reddit) saying, “”No trashy commercials. No elephant hunting. Just straightforward domain registration and web hosting at Domain.com.”

    Reddit Domain ad

  • Twitter Mulling Entry Into Deals Space?

    Twitter is reportedly looking into some new types of advertising. The Financial Times cites “people with direct knowledge of its plans” as saying that Twitter is looking at some bold new options.

    One option would be injecting Promoted Tweets into the user’s main timeline. While plenty of people would no doubt freak out about this (not unlike the whole “dickbar” fiasco), I can’t say it would affect me much, as my Twitter use rarely relies on the main timeline, but through the use of lists. I’m sure I’m hardly alone in this, though the main timeline is certainly going to be the main access point for the majority of new users – a number which Twitter has been aggressively trying to bolster.

    While it is the possibility of Twitter adding promoted tweets to the main timeline that is the focal point of the FT article, another bit caught my attention more:

    Other commercial options under discussion include deals and offers similar in style to rival Groupon, which aggregates consumer demand for time-limited specific offers. It is also looking at introducing enhanced profile pages for brands and media management tools, which could allow advertisers to pre-schedule 140-character posts.

    Ok, even more specifically, that part about a deals service that would rival Groupon. Why not? Everyone else is doing it. It would only make sense that Twitter, which is struggling in the revenue department compared to its peers, and has its location-sharing feature in Twitter Places that could help aid such an endeavor. It also has users’ email addresses, which is generally the primary way deals services reach consumers.

    If Twitter wants to play with the big boys (like Facebook and Google), and it should, as it is set to become the main identity point for a lot of iPhone and iPad users with the pending release of Apple’s iOS 5, it almost has to get into the Deals space. The fact that co-founder Jack Dorsey also runs Square, should also help in cultivating relationships with merchants.

    It’s worth noting that this wouldn’t be the first endeavor into daily deals for Twitter. You may recall the short-lived @earlybird thing, but under new direction from Dorsey, things may be different now.