One of the most prevalent rumors concerning the iPhone 5S, or iPhone 6, is that it will feature a larger display. The first rumor said that the next iPhone would come with multiple display sizes for consumers to choose from. You might not want to get your hopes for a larger iPhone though as Apple CEO Tim Cook thinks the current size is just perfect.
During Apple’s Q1 2013 earnings call, Cook was asked about the latest rumors regarding a larger iPhone being on the horizon. The increased size of Android devices, and their increased popularity, have some analysts questioning Apple’s decision to stay small. For his part, Cook says that the iPhone 5’s 4-inch display is just fine:
The iPhone 5 offers as you know a new 4-inch Retina display, which is the most advanced display in the industry and no one comes close to matching the level of quality as the Retina display. It also provides a larger screen size for iPhone customers without sacrificing the one-handed ease-of-use that our customers love. So, we put a lot of thinking into screen size and believe we’ve picked the right one.
It’s not an outright denial, but it suggests that Apple thinks going over 4-inches is a little too much. It’s true that larger phones are a bit more unwieldy, but Android users obviously like the larger screens offered by the likes of Samsung and HTC. Would Apple sacrifice the iPhone’s “one-handed ease-of-use” to appeal to those who want larger devices? Tim Cook says no, but Apple says no to a lot of things that end up happening anyway.
That being said, Cook may be only talking about this year. The latest rumor says that Apple will keep the 4-inch display in 2013 with two iPhones – one for established markets and a cheaper device for emerging markets. The rumor goes on to say that Apple will be upgrading the size of the iPhone in 2014 to a 4.8-inch display.
A larger iPhone isn’t the only rumor that’s been shot down recently. Phil Schiller recently shot down another rumor of a cheap iPhone for emerging markets by China. He said going cheaper “will never be the future of Apple’s products.”
Liz Gannes at All Things D is reporting that Yahoo is expected to announce the acquisition of Snip.it this week, based on information from sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, the price would be in the “mid teens” of millions of dollars.
The news supports a previous report from Kara Swisher (also of All Things D) that Yahoo is really going to be pushing the content side of its business.
Snip.it is yet another site with a Pinteresty design, but focuses more on content than images. Here’s a look:
Last summer, rumors emerged that the iPhone 5 could come with a fingerprint-based security feature. That didn’t happen. When the device was launched last fall, the feature was nowhere to be seen.
Matt Brian at TheNextWeb had put together a compelling argument as to why the device could have come with technology that would associate the user’s fingerprint with their identity for use with Passbook. Apple had acquired network security provider AuthenTec, and after digging through various documents and SEC filings, Brian was able to piece together a potential plan for Apple to include fingerprint hardware technology in an upcoming iPhone model.
Since it didn’t happen with the iPhone 5, we’re now seeing speculation that it could come with what many believe will be called the iPhone 5S (some are still calling it the iPhone 6). This time, AppleInsider’s Neil Hughes reports:
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities expects Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec to pay off this year with the so-called “iPhone 5S,” the company’s anticipated next-generation handset. He believes Apple will find a way to integrate the fingerprint sensor into the home button, allowing Apple to keep its “minimalist design.”
In contrast, many Android and Windows Phone devices have more than one button below the display, and those buttons frequently lack the mechanical push of Apple’s home button. As a result, attempts to integrate fingerprint scanning on competing devices would be less intuitive, and could frustrate users, Kuo said.
Clearly, it’s still only speculation, but this has been something that’s been expected for a while. It will be interesting to see if Apple goes in this direction, and how competitors respond.
The first half of the year before E3 is always full of rumors pertaining to what the major players in the gaming industry are going to show off. It’s a little different this year, however, as we have two new game consoles on the way from Sony and Microsoft. All the attention will be directed at the new hardware, and the rumor mill in regards to these machines’ supposed specs is already churning.
VGLeaks, a site that has proven to be more right than wrong in its reporting, claims to have gotten hold of the spes for Durango – the next Xbox. If true, Microsoft’s next console will be a pretty beastly machine, but it may also be pretty quiet.
Digging into the details, it appears that Microsoft may be going for lower-power consumption with its next gen console. The machine will sport an eight core CPU running at 1.6 GHz. Is it slower than the Xbox 360’s 3.0 GHz tri-core processor? Not at all as this newest processor is able to execute more processes at a speedier rate than its predecessor. It’s similar to the Wii U’s processor in that it features a slower clock speed, but is able to do more with it. If anything, the new processor will make sure that the next Xbox is a quiet, cool machine.
As for the GPU, It’s a custom 800 MHz graphics processor with support for Direct 3D 11.1. It’s not top of the line graphics processing, but consoles don’t need that to push impressive visuals. This chip will do nicely when it comes to pushing even more visually impressive games on the new hardware.
As for memory and storage, the console will feature 8GB of RAM and 32MB of fast embedded SRAM. The console will also sport a SATA out for a HDD. It’s unknown what kind of hard drive will be used, however, as Microsoft may opt to use a solid state drive for its latest console, especially if it begins pushing digital over physical content.
Speaking of physical content, the next Xbox will be outfitted with a Blu-ray drive. It was pretty much a given at this point, but it’s nice to know that Microsoft won’t be insistent on using DVDs or some other proprietary format in its next console.
If you prefer a more visual take on the above information, here’s a system block diagram courtesy of VGLeaks. Of particular interest is the Kinect In port. The Kinect In port may imply that Microsoft may be selling the next generation Kinect device separately instead of building it into the device.
As always, these are just rumors and should be taken as such. We won’t know anything for sure until Microsoft or a certified third party confirms it as fact. We may not have to wait long though as Microsoft may reveal its latest console before E3, just like Sony.
“To all my #Fallout3 and #ThreeDog fans: There may be more of the Dog coming! Fingers crossed!” he tweeted. “How was that for a tease! I was given permission to release that tease, so fingers crossed.”
Everyone assumed that is was simply teasing Fallout 4, and the fact that he would be back for it. Information on a brand new Fallout game? Hell yeah! Right?
Well it appears that there may be another wrinkle to what Bethesda is planning. Eurogamer spotted a recent registration with the U.D. Patent and Trademark Office by, you guessed it, Bethesda.
Entertainment services in the nature of an on-going television program set in a post-nuclear apocalyptic world
I don’t know about you, but to me that sounds a lot like a Fallout TV series. Adding to the evidence that something like that could be in the works, Erik Todd Dellums has been tweeting about the TV series rumor:
UPDATE: Agent c of the Fallout Wiki is reporting on the user blog that this filing is possibly just an extension of a previous trademark application, which would suggest Bethesda simply holding on to it for safekeeping. It seems that Bethesda did file for a trademark for Fallout on February 5th, 2009 as an “entertainment services in the nature of an on-going television program.”
Meanwhile, Erik Todd Dellums has nothing to report:
Apple news website Apple Insider reported today that the next version of the iPad – the fifth refresh of the device – will be thinner, lighter, and slimmer than the current version.
Of course, that isn’t much of a rumor. Every iteration of Apple products is expected to be lighter and thinner. However, in this case the rumor pertains to the sides of the device actually becoming slimmer. The thinner bezel seen on the iPad mini is expected to be incorporated into the full-size iPad’s design. Presumably that also means the larger iPad will be getting the software Apple implemented on the iPad Mini to prevent fingers near the bezel from registering as legitimate touch commands.
Apple Insider’s source for the report is an analyst with KGI securities. The analyst also expects the new iPad to be released in the third quarter of 2013. That’s a much more conservative estimate than some analysts, who have pegged the launch of Apple’s refreshed product lineup to early or late spring.
Other 2013 Apple predictions from the analyst include an iPad Mini with Retina display and the unveiling of the iPhone 5S. Also, the long-rumored Apple HDTV has fallen off the radar for 2013. No doubt cable companies’ stubbornness when it comes to unbundling their channel packages prevented Apple from creating something that could truly change the way most people watch TV.
A purported image of Samsung’s next flagship Android smartphone appeared online today. Courtesy SamMobile, the above picture depicts a device that is similar to the Galaxy S III, but with a few notable alterations.
SamMobile credits an “insider at Samsung” as the source of the pic, and admits there is no way to confirm it’s the real thing. Still, the design seems to be in keeping with recent Samsung offerings, such as the Galaxy Note II and the Galaxy Premier. It’s almost certain to be closer to the real Galaxy S IV than, say, some of the crazy iPhone 5 mock-ups that were created in the year before that smartphone’s release.
One thing to note about the above picture is the thinner side bezels, at least when compared to the Galaxy S III. The Galaxy S IV is already rumored to have a 4.99″ screen and a 1920 x 1080 resolution screen. Other rumored specs include a quad-core Exynos processor and a 13 MP rear camera.
Also noticeable about the leaked image is the lack of a physical home button. Google has been re-designing it’s Android operating system for use with devices that have no back, home, or menu buttons, and it appears Samsung may be leading the way with buttonless devices.
Something that is certain, unlike the image, is that Samsung has teased a big announcement of “something new” at the Computer Electronics Show (CES) next week. It certainly could be the next Samsung smartphone, but it’s more likely that Samsung will create its own event for the debut of such a big product – sometime in February is the current rumor.
Rumors about Apple’s mythic HDTV have been swirling for nearly two years now. The rumors could simply be written off as wishful thinking that Apple might swoop in and change the TV industry for the better (the way it did the music industry with iTunes) if only analyst reports and manufacturing shipping estimates would stop insisting that the iTV is inevitable.
This week, an anti-rumor has surfaced that suggests the Apple HDTV might still be a long way off. The research arm of BTIG released its predictions for 2013 today, and one of the big predictions is that Apple will not release its long-awaited TV set this year. BTIG states that the device is being delayed by the logistics of providing nationwide coverage, digital right management concerns, and legal concerns over net neutrality. All of these issues stem from the strong content monopoly cable companies have enjoyed for decades, and fit with previous rumors that cable companies are holding up the next big revolution in television.
In a more upbeat prediction, BTIG has also predicted that Apple will launch an internet radio service to compete with Pandora and Spotify. This “iRadio” would be integrated with iTunes to provide links for music and concert ticket purchases.
A new year inevitably means new iPhone rumors. The next iPhone model is already pegged as being the iPhone 5S, and is rumored to be coming as early as June 2013. It’s also being reported that Apple is looking to use Sharp’s IGZO display panels, which would increase the device’s resolution while lowering its power consumption.
Today’s new rumors are even more spurious than usual, with BGR reporting that a Topeka Capital Markets analyst is suggesting the next iPhone will come in colors other than white and black. Specifically, he states that the new device will come in pink, yellow, blue, black, and white – the same colors Apple’s new iPod touch devices are offered in. Also, the analyst currently believes the 5S will have multiple screen sizes to choose from. His predictions are based on “checks” with Apple suppliers.
Such a move by Apple would be an extreme break from its staunch tradition of one-size-fits-all iPhone production. If true, though, it could be an acknowledgement by the company that consumers are being lured by colorful Android or Windows Phone handsets.
Apple hasn’t always had the black-and-white image it has tried to cultivate over the past decade. A return to the colorful palate of the original iMac could signal the first tentative steps the company is taking away from Steve Jobs’ original vision.
Tom Cruise is in the market for a new girlfriend after his very public split with former wife Katie Holmes. So, who has the actor set his eyes on this time? His new rumored love interest may just surprise you.
In Touch Weekly is reporting that Tom Cruise is now dating Cynthia Jorge, a 26-year-old Queens native and restaurant manager. The report comes after sources saw Cruise dancing with Jorge at New York’s Le Baron nightclub on Dec. 18.
Reportedly, Jorge is the one who made the move on Cruise. An insider reported that Cruise visited Jorge’s restaurant for a business meeting, and Jorge gave the movie star her business card before he left. The two met up at the aforementioned nightclub only a day later.
So, is this a little rebound fling or is Cruise taking this newfound relationship seriously? It’s hard to tell at this point, but a witness said the two were “grinding together” at the nightclub. He also called a private car to take her home at the end of the night. If anything, Cruise is at least interested.
A report from People, however, is saying that there was no date, and Jorge just met Cruise for a few drinks. A source close to Jorge said she was just showing Cruise around town while having a casual night out.
As for Cruise, sources close to the actor said the star remains single after his divorce with Katie Holmes. The source also notes that the actor is not dating anybody at the moment.
Back in July there were hushed rumors that Amazon would enter the smartphone market with a device that would compliment its existing Kindle tablet lineup. Today it appears that those rumors have been corroborated and the “Kindle Phone” may be coming as soon as next summer.
The China Economic News Service, a Taiwanese business publication issued a report stating that Foxconn, the famed manufacturer of Apple’s iPhone devices, has created a new smartphone for Amazon. The device is reportedly set to be launched between the second and third quarters of 2013. The manufacturer is “expected to ship as many as five million units” of the smartphone. The handset is also expected to be “budget-priced,” with a unit price of $100 to $200.
With the success of Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet line-up this holiday season, the leap to a phone-sized device isn’t a large one. Based on Amazon’s tablet strategy, it’s likely that the smartphone will run a heavily-modified Android operating system similar to the Kindle Fire HD. The Kindle Fire OS focuses heavily on Amazon’s products and subscription service, Amazon Prime.
The smartphone market is already so dominated by Android and iPhone devices that platforms such as RIM and Windows Phone 8 hold only marginal shares of the market. It will be interesting to see if Amazon can put out a true competitor device that is low-priced and lures customers who are already heavily invested in Amazon’s digital media ecosystem.
The iPad Mini has not exactly been the big hitthat Apple had hoped for. Perhaps one reason is that the device isn’t technically on par with its competitors – the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. The iPad Mini is Apple’s first try at this whole 7-inch table business, however, and the next one could be much better.
Digitimes reports that it’s hearing word that the next iPad Mini will focus mainly on increasing the device’s resolution. The current iPad Mini has a 1024×768 display – the same resolution found in the iPad 2. It’s not yet known if Apple will utilize a retina display or other resolution boosting technology, but it’s a good bet that the device will feature an HD resolution.
Since the launch of the iPad Mini, Apple has had to fend off ads from the likes of Amazon comparing its Kindle Fire HD to Apple’s mini tablet. The main point of contention is that the iPad Mini just can’t produce the HD visuals that other 7-inch tablets can produce. Apple has fired back claiming that the iPad Mini is more like a sidearm for those who are already own a 10-inch iPad.
Despite Apple’s claims, the iPad Mini also needs to target those who are in the market for just one tablet. More and more people are gunning for 7-inch tablets for their portability and lower prices. It’s hard to expect anybody beyond the already devout Apple follower to actually buy an iPad Mini when the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD offer similar, and even sometimes superior, experiences for a lower price. The addition of a retina display would help offset some concern that the iPad Mini isn’t worth its asking price.
So, when we will see this rumored high definition iPad Mini? There’s been no word yet on potential release dates, but Apple has already proven that it’s willing to release new products within a year of the original’s release. We could potentially see a new iPad Mini by the middle of next year instead of autumn.
Since the first rumors sprang up earlier this year, the next PlayStation has always been codenamed Orbis. It has remained that way until yesterday when a new rumor began circulating that suggested the PS4 was getting a new codename.
According to SemiAccurate, the PS4 is now being called Thebes by those working on it. The Orbis name may still be present as the Thebes name may apply only to the chipset whereas Orbis refers to the console as a whole. As for the chipset, it’s still rumored to be using the AMD CPU/GPU that was reported on back in early November.
As for the launch, it’s now being reported that the Orbis/Thebes/PS4 will launch in either Spring or Autumn of 2014. If that’s the case, that would put Sony’s next console behind the Wii U and the next Xbox. The report says that Microsoft is still planning on launching its next Xbox in late 2013 with chips entering mass production before the end of the year.
So where does this leave Sony? If true, Sony will be behind the curve yet again when it comes to entering the next generation market. That doesn’t seem to be a problem for the company as it has already stated that it doesn’t matter who’s first, but rather who’s best. The extra time in development could lead to the PS4 being a more powerful system with more features than Microsoft’s machine, but the delay could also undercut demand for Sony’s machine. Many gamers buy only one gaming console, and an early launch for Microsoft’s machine could mean that many will choose it over whatever Sony has cooking.
Regardless, both companies will need to show off their respective next-gen consoles at some point next year, either at E3 or some private event. Microsoft and Sony need to reaffirm that they’re dedicated to the next generation of gaming and show that there’s something to look forward to. Gamers might even be willing to wait an extra year for Sony’s machine if its initial showing is impressive enough.
Honolulu-based Brian Fitzgerald, who co-founded the TV production shingle with CEO François Garcia, based in Montreal, said he secured the exclusive IP rights to the embattled tech guru’s story.
“He (McAfee) trusts that we will honor his life story in an honest and truthful manner,” Fitzgerald told The Hollywood Reporter in an email statement on Monday.
The TV producer is currently looking for investors and production partners for the project, which is tentatively titled Running in the Background: The True Story of John McAfee.
The report goes on to say that Fitzgerald hopes to “exploit” McAfee’s story across film, print and TV, and that Impact Future Media has ties to McAfee through Chad Essley, who has been running McAfee’s blog. Also, according to that report, McAfee is supposed to have said, “My most heartfelt thank you goes to Impact Future Media and Cartoon Monkey Studio. Their dedication to the truth is very uncommon in the world we live in today. I am now, and will always be grateful to their organizations.” That is allegedly in a statement from Impact Future Media.
There is mention of “The Official John McAfee Story” on the Impact Future Media site (more easily found with Bing than with Google), and it points to a press release, but the release is MIA. We’ve reached out to an email address provided for details.
The page that is supposed to show the press release is from UReccommend Media, which is also the PR firm handling the contacts from McAfee’s blog.
But McAfee must have found the deal easy to do: Impact Future Media was already spearheading a PR campaign for the wealthy tech mogul.
“I am his PR guy, and he has entrusted me with the rights to his life story,” Brian Fitzgerald of Impact Future Media told FoxNews.com. He claimed to have been retained by McAfee approximately four weeks ago — when the bizarre tale of murder, mystery and mayem began in Belize.
Impact Future Media is apparently responsible for a series called High On Tuna about George Jung (the famed cocaine runner) and an animated series called Flatrock. Here is the only thing I can find on that:
It has like 45 views. I’m unable to locate any “High On Tuna” footage.
Color me a little skeptical on this one.
Here’s a snippet from the Impact Future Media about page:
Impact Future Media specializes in the development, production and marketing of intellectual property for the entertainment industry. Founded by industry veterans François Garcia and Brian Fitzgerald, along with a colourful team of associates and strategic partners, Impact Future Media’s mission is to bring creative ideas and fledgling entertainment properties to life.
Unfortunately, this guy passed away 20 years ago, so he won’t be able to play McAfee.
Update 2: Okay, Impact Future Media has sent us the press release (which is still not appearing at the link it’s supposed to). Here it is in its entirety:
Impact Future Media to Bring the Official John McAfee Story to Life
MONTREAL, December 10, 2012 —Impact Future Media (IMPFM.com) today announced that John McAfee, famed antivirus software pioneer and human rights advocate, has entrusted the company with the exclusive intellectual property rights to his official life story, tentatively titled Running in the Background: The True Story of John McAfee. The company intends to either license, publish or develop the John McAfee’s story for use across multiple entertainment platforms, including film, print, television and multimedia.
“We are very excited about working with John McAfee, on this initiative,” stated François Garcia, CEO and Co-founder of Impact Future Media. “Mr. McAfee has entrusted us with his life story, and that is a responsibility we take very seriously. We will work tirelessly to make certain that his story is shared with the proper industry partners.”
Impact Future Media is also representing Chad Essley, founder of CartoonMonkey Studio, in the development, production and publishing of his graphic novel and animated documentary The Hinterland. Essley is John McAfee’s official cartoonist and a key player in the development and management of whoismcafee.com.
“My most heartfelt thank you goes to Impact Future Media and CartoonMonkey Studio,” stated John McAfee. “Their dedication to the truth is very uncommon in the world we live in today. I am now, and will always be grateful to their organizations.”
Founded by industry veterans, Impact Future Media’s mission is to bring creative ideas and fledgling entertainment properties to life. In addition to the above, Impact Future Media also has several other entertainment properties in the works; High on Tuna; The Adventures of George Jung (television series), Rum Runners: The Life of Joseph Bey (movie), Boston George’s Smuggler (game) and Flatrock (animated series).
For more information about Impact Future Media and its projects, please visit IMPFM.com.
###
About Impact Future Media
Impact Future Media specializes in the development, production and marketing of intellectual property for the entertainment industry. Founded by industry veterans, along with a colourful team of associates and strategic partners, Impact Future Media’s mission is to bring creative ideas and fledgling entertainment properties to life..
With offices in Hawaii and Montreal, Impact Future Media is able to capitalize on strategic partnerships. Our primary focus is on making quality, commercially viable products.
A Reuters report is fueling rumors that the next Galaxy phone from Samsung could have an “unbreakable” display. Rumors already predict the Galaxy S IV will have a larger display than the Galaxy S III, as well as a quad-core processor, 13 Megapixel camera, and better screen resolution.
Reuters quotes a UBS analyst as stating Samsung will likely release the Galaxy S IV in the first half of 2013, and perhaps as soon as April. The analyst also believes that Samsung’s production of “unbreakable plastic substrate displays” has improved enough that they will be a feature of the new flagship smartphone. Samsung’s best smartphones are already quite resilient, thanks to the arduous tests the manufacturer uses to vet its handsets.
There are also rumors that Samsung will deploy flexible or foldable screens by 2014. Samsung has invested heavily in OLED displays, which use plastics instead of glass. As far back as the Consumer Electronics Show in 2011, Samsung has been able to demonstrate AMOLED screens that are flexible. One year ago, Samsung had announced plans to release phones with flexible displays “as early as 2012.” The Korean tech company isn’t likely to release any new, unannounced phones in December, so the analyst prediction for the Galaxy S IV seem to be a safe one.
Apple’s successor to the iPhone 5, rumored to be the iPhone 5S, has also been predicted to have a mid-2013 launch window. Earlier this year rumors also surfaced that Apple was looking into purchasing flexible OLED screens from Samsung.
I know. The rumors about the iPhone coming to T-Mobile have been flying around since the CES expo in January. However, every time the rumor popped up again, it got a little more specific. In May, T-Mobile began making changes to its network that were clearly the groundwork for nationwide 4G LTE, a prerequisite for carrying the iPhone. Last month, the rumor was that T-Mobile might announce the iPhone on its network by “early 2013.”
Today, Fortune is reporting that a Merrill Lynch analyst has begun spreading the news that “speculation is heightening” of an iPhone announcement by T-Mobile. The speculation surrounds Deutche Telekom, T-Mobile USA’s parent company, announcing the big news at an analyst day next week on December 6. The analyst predicts that T-Mobile could sell around 4 million, increasing Apple revenue by around 1%.
It’s clear that T-Mobile will eventually be getting the iPhone, though the timing is still up in the air. Ever since the carrier’s acquisition by AT&T was foiled by the U.S. Justice Department last year, T-Mobile has doubled-down on becoming a real competitor to Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. Though T-Mobile is still the fourth largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscriber numbers, its 4G LTE coverage is expanding rapidly and it’s recent merger with MetroPCS puts its subscriber numbers close to that of Sprint. The company has also appointed a new CEO and new CMO this fall, meaning the company’s direction and marketing are getting a fresh look.
DigiTimes, the Tiawanese publication that closely covers the Apple supply chain reported today that Apple’s suppliers are expected to post “strong” first quarter 2013 financials. This is unsurprising, as the iPhone 5’s success has meant even greater demand on manufacturers by Apple.
The publication also cited unnamed observers as saying that Apple is expected to release the next version of the iPhone near the middle of 2013. From the report:
Apple is expected to introduce its next-generation iPad and iPhone series around the middle of 2013, which will boost demand for ICs in particular communications related chips during the latter half of the first quarter, according to the observers.
Similar rumors surfaced last week, when a report suggested that Apple will begin a trial production run of the iPhone 5S this December. That report also stated that the iPhone 5S, a new iPad, and the long-rumored Apple HDTV will all be released in the first half of 2013.
The DigiTimes reprot shows that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) are expecting component orders from Apple to climb high in March or April, suggesting a May, June, or July launch for new Apple products.
These new claims could fuel rumors that Apple is shifting its yearly product refresh cycle to a 6-month refresh schedule. Though Apple has the brand recognition and, perhaps, the manufacturing capabilities to accomplish such a rapid product cycle, Apple fans who want to keep up to date with Apple’s products might find themselves paying double per year for their gadgets. The release of the newest iPad version came just six months after the release of the third-generation iPad in March 2012, upsetting many iPad owners who felt their device was becoming obsolete too quickly.
Google and Dish Network have been talking about launching a wireless service that would compete with AT&T, Verizon and the like, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The report cites “people familiar with the discussions,” with one of them admitting that the talks are not advanced, and that they “could amount to nothing”. The people also reportedly said that Google is only one of several companies Dish has been talking to about such an endeavor. The WSJ reports:
In an interview Thursday, Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen declined to comment on Google specifically, but said some of the potential partners he has considered include companies “who would like to be in the industry” and currently don’t have a wireless business.
Google and Dish have partnered in the past. Dish was an initial partner of Google TV when it was first unveiled. Google is actually competing with Dish these days, with Google Fiber, even though so far, it’s only available in Kansas City.
In addition to Google Fiber, Google has the operating system in Android, and the hardware in Motorola Mobility. Wireless seems like the next logical territory for the company to extend into.
A new report states that Apple will begin a trial production run of the sucessor to the iPhone 5 in December. The report, published in China’s Commercial Times, says that 50,000 to 100,000 units of the “iPhone 5S” will be manufactured.
The report also claims that the new iPhone, a new iPad version, and the long-rumored Apple HDTV (iTV) will all be released in the first half of 2013. This claim seems extraordinary, especially since the shipping window for new orders of the current iPhone 5 slipped back again this week.
Going by the Commercial Times’ report, Apple is producing the trial run to prepare its manufacturing processes for the inevitably huge demand it expects for the device. Apple is shifting away from using some Samsung components in its devices, and is having to put together a team of disparate manufacturers to make up for it. Apple hasn’t been able to find an alternate supplier for Samsung’s processors, however, and Samsung this week announced a 20% price increase on the components.
If the rumors of an iPhone 5S in the first half on next year are true, it could mean that Apple really is shifting its traditional yearly product refreshes to a new six-month refresh schedule. The demand for the current iPhone shows that a six-month release schedule certainly is possible for Apple, but customers may have a hard time choking up hundreds of dollars twice a year. Especially if the newer devices are only marginal improvements over the old ones. The release of the newest version of the iPad came just six months after the release of the previous version, a fact which upset many Apple customers.
Obviously, it’s very premature to suggest that anyone knows when Apple will launch its next iPhone model, and certainly whether or not that model will actually be called an iPhone 6. Nevertheless, that won’t stop the rumors and speculation from running amuck, just as they did with the iPhone 5 for the past year.
Last week, Ed Valdez at Technorati made the case that the device will launch by June 2013, citing six reasons. I won’t run through them all here, but he does write, “Product managers/marketers use the S-curve to carefully manage when the next product should be introduced. Apple has been a master of maximizing revenues and profits from the launch of a product to the ramp phase (mass market adoption) to the mature phase (sales plateau, then subside). While the average iPhone PLC has been 14 months, the peak sales curve (ramp phase) of the iPhone 4S spanned a period of three months and the peak sales curve for iPhone 5 is projected to be 4 months. Thus, Apple needs shorter PLCs to continue to return value to its shareholders and deliver new value to consumers because revenue, profit and earnings shrink within two quarters after an iPhone announcement. No company wants lackluster sales for the vast majority of a product life cycle.”
He also says, “The iPad 4 announcement tipped Apple’s hand by showing us what’s possible: a shorter time to market (TTM). The iPad 4 launch cut five months from the average iPad TTM and the iPhone 5 launch cut three months from the average iPhone TTM. Even if Apple were to announce iPhone 6 by June and make it available in July, that would be 10 months TTM from the iPhone 5 which is quite doable because the iPhone 5 had a TTM of 11 months. I’m forecasting June 2013 only because it synchronizes well with their next anticipated WWDC in June of next year. The quick TTM for the iPad 4 will translate to a fast TTM for the next iPhone.”
NetworkWorld thought enough of Valdez’s predictions to discuss them, but also says that “None of these claims are very convincing.”
If iPhone 6 speculation isn’t enough for you, there are already iPad Mini 2 rumors coming out too. Get ready for a lot of this stuff again over the coming months.
Rumors this week are flying about new “Orbis” development kits being shipped out to developers. Orbis is the codename for Sony’s next-generation console, which will undoubtedly be PlayStation branded. Not much has been leaked about the next generation of consoles (except the Wii U, of course), especially from Sony.
VG24/7 cites multiple unnamed sources as confirming that the new dev kits have been shipped, housed in PC cases. They claim that the current state of the kit is as a “modified PC” and that a January dev kit will more closely resemble the eventual console, with a final dev kit shipping sometime next summer.
The few rumors about Orbis that have leaked hold that the console will run on an AMD processor and support 4K resolutions. VG24/7’s sources say that the new kit’s processor is “based on” the AMD A10 APU series, combining the CPU and graphics processor. The kits also have 8GB or 16GB of RAM, a 256GB hard drive, and a Blu-ray drive.
The report also states that the goal for the console is to run 3D games at 1080p resolutions. Another goal is, evidently, to make the console more affordable. That’s a different strategy than the one Sony used for the PlayStation 3, which fell behind in the current generation of console wars because of its high launch price.
![iPad 5 to be “Significantly” Slimmer [RUMOR]](https://dev.webpronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/System76-Pangolin-Credit-System76-80x75.jpg)
![Samsung Galaxy S IV Image Leaked [RUMOR]](https://dev.webpronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5380664-80x75.jpg)