Ever wonder how far in advance Apple works on their products? According to a new report, the 2012 iPhone was in progress even before co-founder Steve Jobs’ death last year, which he reportedly worked closely on.
Bloomberg is reporting that Apple plans an “overhaul” of the iPhone design for this year, confirmed by “three people with knowledge of the plans.” Rumors have ramped up in the last week that Apple will introduce a new iPhone with a larger display, which “could be released by October.”
This latest report is noteworthy because one source has revealed that late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs “had worked closely on the redesigned phone before his death in October,” which nearly coincided with the launch of the current iPhone 4S.
“The design change will be Apple’s first for the iPhone since 2010, when it introduced the iPhone 4,” the report reveals. “Electronics makers, led by Samsung, are moving toward bigger screens, as consumers use handheld devices for a broader array of tasks, including watching video, playing games and browsing the Web.”
Another of Bloomberg’s sources appear to have confirmed that Apple “has placed orders from suppliers in Asia for screens that are bigger than the 3.5-inch size now on the smartphone,” although as usual, the name of the source was not revealed since these plans have not been made public.
“Apple has been working on the new device since before the current iPhone 4S model was introduced last October, said one person with knowledge of the project,” the report concludes. “Jobs, who had gone on medical leave from Apple starting last January, played a key role in developing the phone, this person said.”
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
Still refuse to believe that the next iPhone will come with a larger screen? It may be time to cast aside your doubts, with a new report confirming that Apple will jump on current trends and increase the next iPhone screen to “at least four inches.”
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is poised to finally release a bigger iPhone this year, a first since the iconic handset debuted in 2007. In keeping with current speculation, the report claims Cupertino’s next handset will “measure at least four inches diagonally compared with 3.5 inches on the iPhone 4S.”
There’s little doubt that the current trend leans toward larger smartphones, with Samsung leading the charge. The Korean manufacturer recently debuted its upcoming Galaxy S III handset with a massive 4.8-inch display, which could be putting pressure on Apple to do the same with the iPhone.
Apple is expected to only slightly increase the length of the next iPhone, which would be enough to squeeze a taller, four-inch display onto the front of the handset. While still dwarfed by giant Android screens, such a move would also allow HD videos to play back at proper 16:9 aspect ratio, without the black bars that currently fill in the top and bottom of the frame.
The report is light on further details, but claims “production is set to begin next month” for the new display, which likely puts the handset on target for a fall release.
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
Although the next iPhone isn’t expected until the fourth quarter, Apple appears to be “significantly” reducing orders for the current iPhone 4S model by as much as 25 percent, which could see current quarter sales drop below Wall Street expectations.
AppleInsider is reporting that Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu has done some poking around Apple’s supply chain and has issued a note to investors on Tuesday that shows the company may be reducing its iPhone orders between 20 and 25 percent. But the move may not be related to lack of demand, but rather the company preparing for the next generation device expected later this year.
“From our understanding, the reason for the reduction is not demand related but rather due to the upcoming sixth generation iPhone refresh likely in the September-October timeframe,” Wu explains. “It appears AAPL is opting to be conservative with its suppliers to factor in a potential two-quarter pause ahead of the refresh and also to manage inventory.”
Should those numbers hold, Wu expects Apple to ship between 26 million and 28 million iPhones in the current quarter — a bit below Wall Street estimates of between 30 million and 31 million, and well below the previous quarter’s 35.1 million.
The report notes that Apple recorded then-record sales of 20.34 million iPhones during the same June quarter last year, which far exceeded analysts’ expectations of 15.8 million. But that was then, and analysts are more bullish on the iPhone than ever.
While Wu notes that Wall Street “grossly underestimated the impact of a pause and inventory drawdown ahead of the iPhone 4S” last year, investors should approach with more caution this year — both with the current June quarter as well as the September quarter that follows.
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
If you’re not a fan of Apple’s built-in Mail app, you’ve no doubt discovered Sparrow for iPhone, which just got a little better with version 1.2 on Monday — and there’s some good news and bad news about push being added to the app as well.
The creators of the Sparrow email app have released version 1.2 for the iPhone on Monday, which adds four very welcome features to the third-party email app that has quickly found a loyal base of iOS users.
Let’s get the good news/bad news scenario out of the way first. Push is not included with version 1.2, but it’s coming as a paid in-app upgrade. Unfortunately, Apple continues to refuse to budge on Sparrow tapping into the iOS VoIP API to offer push email from within the app, so the developers now have to resort to offering it as a paid option.
“You were more than 16,000 helping us on our Apple quest to get the VoIP privilege,” the Sparrow blog notes, referring to the number of users who signed the company’s online petition. “We can’t thank you enough for your support. Unfortunately, Apple has confirmed that they are not willing to do any exception to the rule and that Sparrow will NOT be granted with the privilege. This means we’ll have to do Push on our side and that it will be integrated as a yearly subscription into Sparrow’s future update.”
No word on when push will make it into Sparrow for iPhone or what it will cost, but at least it is indeed coming. Meanwhile, the developers have beefed up the existing app with four new features users can get their hands on today.
Message navigation allows users to navigate all mailbox messages simply by swiping up or down, with a special separator that pops up to clearly indicate you’re swiping to a new conversation. Labels and folders can now be renamed, created or deleted right from within the app as well.
Sparrow now allows composing messages in landscape mode, and the app is now fluent in nine languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Russian, and Chinese.
Sparrow for iPhone 1.2 is now available from the App Store as a free update for existing users and a .99 purchase for everyone else; the app works with all devices running iOS 5.0 or later, but is not universal for native iPad support.
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
Deals, get your red hot smoking Apple deals right here, right now. We’ve got Macbooks, we’ve got cases, we’ve got armbands, we’ve got a real mixed veggie platter, so get on board. Oh, yeah, and we have what the headline’s talking about too.
Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Dual-core Intel i5
Apple-certified, this beauty is less than one year old and packs some muscle under the hood. Nab it now for ,019 or 0 off.
Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.8GHz Dual-core Intel i7
Slightly kickier version of the above laptop. 0 more on the price tag takes it up to ,269, but that’s still 0 off the original price.
15.4″ MacBook Pro quad-core Intel Core i7
Or opt for a new machine and get this baby for ,771.99 with a price cut of 7. Now that’s some savings!
64GB iPhone 4S
Were pretty sure we’ve never seen anything quite like this. Fry’s is taking a big discount to the 64GB model of the 4S, dropping 0 from Apple’s price and rolling this big boy out for 9.
LaunchBar 5.2
Sure, Command-Space gets you Spotlight search, but like many Apple products, it’s a little weaker than it could be. Put some kick-butt power into those two keystrokes and do it for 50% off meaning .49 gets you the sheer awesomeness of LaunchBar.
Compartments
Keep track of all your belongings with this lovely cataloging software 60% off making it just . Dropbox support means if your computer burns up along with your house, you still have lists ready for the insurance company.
USB Charging Adapter for iPad
Use the coupon code MLC510FN and you’ll be rocking the power supply for your hungry hungry iPad for a mere .99 with free shipping.
Luxury iPad 2 / iPad 3 (The New iPad) Bluetooth Keyboard Carbon Case
nbipad10 is the coupon code you’ll need for this deal that nabs you this sleek keyboard case for , down from the usual . Sweet.
Universal Car Mount for Portable DVD Player or iPad
Take the worry out of your kids dropping the iPad in the backseat when fighting over who gets to hold it while they watch the movie with this mount. .37 plus free shipping is a lot less than a new iPad.
3D Hollowed Out Hard Case for Apple iPhone 4S iPhone 4
Try out this case that we’re sure will catch people’s eyes. The hollowed out areas are sure to show off your iPhone’s beauty. Originally , your price? .
iPad Programming Course
Learn how to make your fortune as an iOS developer busting out apps for the best tablet on the market. A 50% discount starts you on your path for only .
Waterproof Case for Apple iPhone 4, 4S
Take your phone with you on that boating trip without being in a constant panic about water damage to your baby. Typically , you’re looking at .58, howzaboutthat?
Action Fitness Armband and Screen Protector
Get your workout on with this armband and screen protector for a mere . Instead of jogging in place to the tune of , you get the big time deal.
