Rumours: Apple iPad mini event October 17. Launch Nov 2.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

ipad mini mock-up

Rumours: Apple iPad mini event October 17. Launch Nov  2.

Mass production of a smaller and cheaper version of Apple's iPad tablet computer has started, US media reported on Wednesday.

LG Display and AU Optronics, two leading LCD panel manufacturers based in Asia, already began manufacturing the LCD screens for Apple's new device in September, The Wall Street Journal said in a report, citing executives at Apple's Asian suppliers.

Apple has kept the screen size of its iPad unchanged at 9.7 inches since the product debuted in January 2010.

In comparison, a smaller Apple tablet will feature a 7.85-inch liquid-crystal display with a lower resolution than the latest iPad, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The launch of a smaller iPad is seen as Apple's move to stay competitive against rivals such as Google and Amazon, which have introduced 7-inch tablets at prices no more than 200 U.S. dollars. 

The Fortune magazine on Monday reported that Apple is rumored to be sending out press invitation on October 10 to a special event, which might be held on October 17 to unveil the smaller iPad, launching it in Nov 2.

Apple has not yet commented on the reports.

Source: Fortune

iPhone 5 Rear Case Scratch Test shows it is highly susceptible to scratching. Video.

iPhone 5 Rear Case Scratch Test shows it is highly susceptible to scratching. Video.

allthingsd is reporting that a number of Apple early adopters claim that the back case of the iPhone 5 is highly susceptible to scratching and more visible signs of wear and tear, according to multiple reports from across the Web.

Perhaps even more serious, numerous accounts state that users are receiving iPhone 5 devices damaged directly out of the packaging, before customers have had chance to actually lay hands the device.

It seems to be an issue with the anodized aluminum surface, and the apparent difficulty that comes with keeping the device from getting nicks and scrapes. It appears that the black version is either more susceptible to damage than its white counterpart, or signs of visible wear are more readily visible due to the higher contrast in colors.

Apple has not yet responded to a request for comment. A video below made by  iFixitYourself  where they comment the issue  as follows:

It's less than 24 hours after our iPhone 5 Teardown and we have received a lot of questions about it. It's come to our attention that a lot of you are concerned about the scuffability of the iPhone 5's aluminum rear case, so much so that there's already a scandal brewing around it, which the Internet is calling "scuff-gate." We set out to find out just how much truth there is to the latest scandal surrounding a Apple product release, and have a little fun while we were at it.

Apple`s iPhone5/iOS6 User Guide for download.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Apple`s iPhone5/iOS6 User Guide for download.

Apple has released an iPhone 5/iOS6 user guide to see it on iTunes, but if you have an Apple ID account you can download it for FREE

The electronic book requires iBooks 1.3.1 or later and iOS 4.3.3 or later. You need an iPad, iPhone (3G or later), or iPod touch (2nd-generation or later).

SIRI contesta en Español. SIRI answers in Spanish.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

SIRI contesta en Español. SIRI answers in Spanish.



Preguntas y peticiones hechas a Siri en el video: (Questions and petitions made to SIRI on the video)

- Hola! (Hello)
- ¿Cómo te llamas?( What is your name)
- Cuéntame un chiste ( Tell me a joke)
- ¿Cuál es el sentido de la vida? (what is sense of life)
- ¿Cuál es tu color favorito? (what is favorite color)
- Te amo!  (I love you)
- ¿Cómo eres? (How you look like)
- ¿Quién es tu papá? (Who is your father)
- ¿Quien es tu mamá? (Whos is your mother)
- ¿Te casarías conmigo? (Will you marry me)
- ¿Te gusta cuando aprieto tu botón? ( Do you like when I tap you)
- Di cosas sucias ( Say dirty things)
- ¿Te gusto? (Doyou like me)
- ¿Estás enamorada de mi? ( Are you in love with me)
- Canta algo (Sing something)
- ¿Puedes mandar un mensaje? (can you send a message)
- ¿Puedes leerme el mensaje por favor?  (can you read the message please)
- Adiós ( Bye)

Apple cuts LCD panels supply from Samsung. Goes with LG for next iPads and Sharp.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Original post from Korea Times:

Apple cuts LCD panels supply from Samsung. Goes with LG for next iPads, and Sharp.

Apple has reduced purchases of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for tablet computers from Samsung Display amid the deepening patent disputes, said a leading market research firm, Friday. Market experts said that the move is aimed at minimizing its reliance on Samsung parts An analysis by DisplaySearch showed Apple bought 683,000 display sheets for use in its 9.7-inch iPad tablet from Samsung Display in August this year ― a cut by nearly 50 percent from a month earlier. 9.7-inch displays are only being used in Apple iPads. In May, Samsung Display shipped 2.88 million sheets to Apple, which was a monthly record. But the shipments were down to 1.22 million in July from 2.5 million that Samsung sold to Apple in June, according to the research firm. Last year, the Cupertino-headquartered Apple spent about $7.8 billion on components from Samsung Electronics, mostly on application processors, memory chips and LCD screens. But Apple had begun turning to other suppliers in Japan, Taiwan and other Korean LCD and chipmakers such as LG Display and SK hynix as for the alternatives. ``This is the first time that Samsung Display shipped less than 1 million displays on a monthly basis since November last year. But we aren’t too worried,’’ said a senior Samsung official. In a meeting with local reporters Wednesday, Samsung’s chip business chief Jun Dong-soo said that the company ``won’t be aggressive’’ in terms of investment for facilities next year due to lingering external uncertainties. ``We are facing uncertainties. That means Samsung isn’t prepared to continuously increase facility investment,’’ said Jun. While Samsung is losing Apple’s business, its biggest cross-town rival LG Display is winning more orders from Apple. In August, Apple bought 3.83 million display sheets from LG for use in iPads from 3.4 million sheets in July. In March this year, LG just sold 886,000 screens for iPads, however, the monthly shipments were increasing to 2 million, 2.55 million and 3.39 million in April, May and June, according to DisplaySearch. Gary Sohn, the head of LG Display’s public relations office, declined to talk more about its Apple business. ``Apple has shifted its display supplement channels to LG and Sharp of Japan. LG Display solved quality-related matters for Apple products. Its `Apple line’ located in Paju is running at full capacity,’’ said an industry executive. Shinhan Financial, a local brokerage, raised its target on LG Display shares to 38,000 won from 32,000 won. ``LG Display will report over 1 trillion won in operating profit this year because it’s been shipping more screens to Apple’s flagship products,’’ said So Hyun-chul from Shinhan. The analyst said the Apple iPhone 5 is using LG screens, while Apple contracted with LG to buy big chunks of displays for use in its next iPad ― tentatively named the iPad 3 ― and mini iPad. Apple products such as the iPad, and iPhone continue to stress the display supply chain, given their cutting-edge performance specifications and strict quality control. Apple business is attractive to the display supply chain because it offers high volumes of a single model, which enables production stability. Apple displays offer higher average selling prices (ASPs) due to specifications such as slim width, light weight, high resolution, low power consumption, high color saturation and wide viewing angle. ``The display supply chain has started to gear up for Apple. In the second half of 2012, Apple will launch three new products _ iPhone 5, iPad Mini and New iPad model. These mobile devices will require displays with high resolution, slim form factor, light weight and low power consumption. And certainly, these features are keeping the display supply chain very busy,’’ DisplaySearch said. ``This is the story for all leading display makers but Samsung,’’ said another industry executive.

iPhone 5 TV Ads: Physics and Cheese.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Apple - iPhone 5 - TV Ad - Physics

The iPhone 5 is here. The biggest and tallest yet somehow thinnest and lightest iPhone yet.

Apple - iPhone 5 - TV Ad - Cheese

Introducing the iPhone 5. Now taking beautiful photos in panorama is as simple as saying "cheese".

iPhone 5 TV Ad: Thumb.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

iPhone 5 TV Ad: Thumb.

Apple just uploaded a TV ad on youtube. The ad suggests how useful and easy is to play on the iPhone 5 with your thumb.

Introducing the iPhone 5, with 4-inch Retina display. It's the perfect size for everything -- including your thumb.

Unlocked iPhone 5 prices. But Not available yet.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Unlocked iPhone 5 prices. But Not available yet.

The Apple Store's comparison tool lists the 16GB iPhone 5 at $649, the 32GB at $749, and the top of the line model 64GB at $849. In Canada, where all models sold by Apple are unlocked, the same models are priced at -- in Canadian dollars -- $699, CAD $799, and CAD $899 , respectively.

However, those expecting to get their hands on Apple's next-generation smartphone soon will have to put those hopes on hold. The iPhone maker hasn't yet announced when consumers can expect availability, and users won't be able to pre-order the carrier-unencumbered configuration tomorrow, Septembe 21st.

An unlocked version of the iPhone 4S didn't go on sale last year until November 11 -- almost a full month after the carrier-subsidized versions.

 Apple has since scrubbed any mention of unlocked iPhone pricing from its site. Here’s screenshot we got before it was taken down, which seems to have only happened after the ordering system went live. (Thanks to TechCrunch)

CNET

Apple goes after Google`s Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Apple goes after Google`s Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Apple said it plans to extend its claims of infringement to include Samsung products released since the last case management conference in May. Having evaluated the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet and the OS used in it, Android 4.1, Apple said it believes both infringe on the patents at issue, and intends to amend its suit accordingly.

Samsung Electronics intends to drag the iPhone 5 into an ongoing patent lawsuit with Apple, according to documents filed with a U.S. court.

The companies revealed their plans in a joint case management conference statement filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, on Wednesday.

How Google is going to react to Apple`s claim against Samsung use of the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, remains to be seen.

Source: MacWorld

Samsung takes on the iPhone 5 on new video ad.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Samsung takes on the iPhone 5 on new video ad.

Samsung is standing out some of the features the iphone 5 doesn`t have and showing some before actors that were waiting on the line for the iPhone 4S shifted to the Galaxy S.

It is interesting for the consumer  to watch these kind of video ads which help in someway to a better selection before buying. However it is up to you to make the right choice.

7 inch tablets makers to drop prices when the iPad Mini is released.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

7 inch tablets makers to drop prices when the iPad Mini is released.

According to  Digitimes Apple will have a big influence on the 7-inch tablet market just like it currently has with its 9.7-inch iPad series and competitors will need to drop their tablet prices as well as provide more value-added features for the devices.

Tablets priced US$199-400 are expected to drop in price to US$150-200 in order to help non-Apple tablet makers stay competitive when Apple releases its reported 7.85-inch iPad.

Video: iPhone 5 Hands on.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Video: iPhone 5 Hands on.

According to CNET review:

The Good: The iPhone 5 adds everything we wanted in the iPhone 4S: 4G LTE, a longer, larger screen, and a faster A6 processor. Plus, its top-to-bottom redesign is sharp, slim, and feather-light.

The Bad: Sprint and Verizon models can't use voice and data simultaneously. The smaller connector renders current accessories unusable without an adapter. There's no NFC, and the screen size pales in comparison to jumbo Android models.

The Bottom Line: The iPhone 5 completely rebuilds the iPhone on a framework of new features and design, addressing its major previous shortcomings. It's absolutely the best iPhone to date, and it easily secures its place in the top tier of the smartphone universe.

iPhone 5 orders top 2 million units in 24 hours.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

iPhone 5 orders top 2 million units in 24 hours.

Orders for the iPhone 5 topped 2 million in their first 24 hours, more than double the amount of its predecessor over the same period.

Since Apple started taking iPhone 5 orders on its website at 3 a.m. EDT on Friday, buyers who have a two-year service agreement with AT&T, Sprint or Verizon Wireless have been able to order the phone for $199 (16 gigabyte model), $299 (32 GB) or $399 (64 GB model).

Apple said Monday that while most orders will be delivered on Friday, demand for the iPhone 5 exceeds the initial supply. As a result, some of the devices are scheduled for delivery in October.

The Cupertino, Calif. company's stock added 1.2 percent, or $8.50, to close at $699.78 on Monday.

The iPhone 5 represents the first major revision of the iPhone's screen size since the first model was introduced in 2007. The new iPhone has an elongated screen —4 inches (10.16 centimeters) measured diagonally— that allows room for another row of icons and lets widescreen movies fit better. The calendar will now show five days at a time instead of just three. Previous iPhone models had 3.5-inch (8.89-centimeter) screens. The new phone is also thinner and weighs less than previous models. It can operate on LTE cellular networks and sports a new processor and updated software.

T. Michael Walkley, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity, said he believes the iPhone 5's "differentiated form factor versus the iPhone 4S" and other improvements should drive strong iPhone 5 sales. The record advanced orders on Friday and through the weekend caused Walkley to revise his previous prediction that Apple would sell 6 million of the new iPhones by September 29. He now believes "Apple could ship 9 million to 10 million" in that time, he told investors in a note on Monday.

Janney Capital Markets analyst Bill Choi said Apple's announcement Monday "suggests iPhone 5 is running well ahead of iPhone 4S." In a note to investors, Choi reaffirmed his earlier expectation that Apple will sell 7 million to 10 million iPhone 5s by the end of September.

It won't be easy for Apple to top the breakneck sales pace set by previous iPhones. Apple said last year that it sold over 4 million iPhone 4Ss just three days after its launch on October 14. That launch occurred less than two weeks after the death of Apple's iconic founder Steve Jobs and as the iPhone 4S went on sale, scores of Apple devotees were still mourning him with candlelight vigils and impromptu memorial ceremonies outside of Apple stores across the globe.

The iPhone 5 will be available at Apple's 356 U.S. stores starting Friday. Each customer who makes a purchase at an Apple store will be offered free personal setup service, which will help them customize their device.

The phone will be available in more than 22 countries on Sept. 28.

Aside from Apple stores, the iPhone 5 will be available at Apple's website as well as through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, some Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart stores and certain Apple authorized resellers.

Earlier Monday AT&T Inc. said it set a sales record for the iPhone 5, with customers ordering more of them than any previous iPhone model on the first day of orders and over the weekend.

AP.

Google acquired top iOS based photo app Snapseed, challenging Facebook`s Instagram

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Google Inc  has acquired a top iOS based photo app, Snapseed, in a bid to challenge Facebook Inc ’s Instagram, as Google+ subscriber base and monthly active users soar. According to recent reports, , the search engine giant has decided to enhance its social platform, Google+’s, competitive edge as it tries to challenge Facebook’s dominance in the social networking business, by acquiring the top iOS photo app.

According to reliable sources Snapseed deem as the the best app ever built by the German Software company. It is noted that the $4.99 app won Apple’s coveted iPad App Of The Year award in 2011, for its inventive multitouch photo editing interface, and gained over nine million users during its first year on sale. 

This week we also hit an important milestone–over 400,000,000 people have upgraded to Google+. It was only a year ago that we opened public sign-up, and we couldn’t have imagined that so many people would join in just 12 months. While Google+ is all about creating a better experience across Google, it’s also a destination. And here too, I’m happy to report that we have just crossed 100,000,000 monthly active users on Google+ (plus.google.com and mobile app).

http://www.snapseed.com/

Low production yield rate of in-cell touch panel technology could hinder iPhone shipments.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Low production yield rate of  in-cell touch panel technology could hinder iPhone  shipments.

Following the launch of the iPhone 5, the in-cell touch panel technology adopted by the Apple smartphone has generated mixed views from market observers. Some observers say inc-cell touch panels still have a low production yield rate and may not be widely adopted by other vendors in the next 2-3 years, but others believe the technology has set a new standard for smartphones.

The iPhone 5's display panel is being produced by LG Display, Japan Display and Sharp. Enhanced specifications with the device's panel, which include allowing the phone to be lighter, thinner and maintain high resolution, reportedly have caused yield rate issues. Some observers have pointed out that issues with the panels could hinder iPhone shipments.

But some market analysts estimate that iPhone 5 sales will reach 40 million units in the fourth quarter of 2012.