Following up on the information iMore received yesterday on potential ZFS hooks in iOS 5.1, a reliable source let us know that Apple has been investing heavily in ZFS appliances from Oracle. (Whether or not this will be made public is unknown; it doesn’t seem to be right now.)

Also, several of our readers familiar with ZFS wrote in to speculate as to why Apple may be exploring ZFS for use on iPhone and iPad. Broadly, it may have something to do with ZFS’ snapshot technology. ZFS snapshots can be easily compressed and encrypted, de-duplicated, and can transfer delta (bit differential) updates between cloud and device. The snapshots can also work like Time Machine, easily and efficiently providing incremental backup and restore capability from an hour ago, a day ago, a week ago, or more, asynchronously and block by block. Here’s what Wikipedia says about ZFS snapshots:

An advantage of copy-on-write is that when ZFS writes new data, the blocks containing the old data can be retained, allowing a snapshot version of the file system to be maintained. ZFS snapshots are created very quickly, since all the data composing the snapshot is already stored; they are also space efficient, since any unchanged data is shared among the file system and its snapshots.

Writeable snapshots (“clones”) can also be created, resulting in two independent file systems that share a set of blocks. As changes are made to any of the clone file systems, new data blocks are created to reflect those changes, but any unchanged blocks continue to be shared, no matter how many clones exist. This is an implementation of the Copy-on-write principle.

Snapshots is only one of the features of ZFS (Zettabyte Files System), the advanced file system created by Sun, now owned by Oracle. Apple included a partial port of ZFS in earlier versions of Mac OS X but pulled it before the official release. It’s a file system particularly well suited for cloud environments and storage pools, which might be why Apple is looking at it again in the post iCloud.

Apple is an incredibly private company that works hard behind the scenes in order to present a beautifully packaged, highly polished product to consumers. No doubt there is a lot of really cool, really geeky technology at the core of iCloud, for example, but all most of us see are elegant interface elements in Settings.app that, when tapped, all but transparently backup and restore our iPhones or iPads.

If indeed Apple is planning on using ZFS to make iCloud backups and restores better, it will probably be invisible to end users. One day, iCloud will simply work better, faster, and even more reliably.

More: Wikipedia

Some fresh pictures of a camera-equipped iPod nano have slipped out, indicating that Apple’s music player may be due for an update soon. Apple usually updates the iPod nano every fall, but this year the iPhone 4S hogged the spotlight at Apple’s traditional event. The 2009 iPod nano had a camera, before ditching it for the current form factor in 2010. Aside from the camera, the overall design doesn’t seem to have changed much from the previous generation.

As Georgia aptly points out, the iPod nano isn’t really hurting for a camera; instead, the iPod nano really should start changing into a smartwatch accessory, complete with notifications pushed over Bluetooth, hosting lightweight apps, while still playing music. Motorola and Sony Ericsson have both taken a stab at this idea, but Apple will likely be able to pull this off in a way that really resonates with their fans.

Anybody out there own an iPod nano? Do you ever find it lacking in functions, or does it already do what you need it to? Is a camera really needed?

Source: Apple.pro via MacRumors

The iPad 3 could be coming packed with a quad-core A6 chipset and support LTE speeds according to a source who claims to have access to the unannounced, unreleased device. BGR reports:

From the data in the photos, which contain the output from an iPad 3 using a development and debug tool called iBoot, we can infer plenty of information about the upcoming iPad 3. [...] The new processor will also apparently be a quad-core model, making the upcoming iPad 3 the fastest iOS device ever, we have been told.

The veracity of the data is, of course, uncertain. Previous rumors have claimed that iPad 3 production has started, as well as Foxconn issuing plans to build 5 new iPad production facilities in Brazil.

The A6 chipset noted in the debug tool, if accurate, carries a model number of S5L8945X with the iPad units themselves carrying model numbers of J1 and J2 (iPad 3,1 and iPad 3.2 respectively). This falls in line with what was uncovered in iOS 5.1 beta code. The rumor calls for one model being WiFi-only, and the other adding full support for LTE/CDMA/GSM. This should allow for Apple to release just one SKU across data-equipped iPad units for all major carriers, rather than a special LTE model for the limited markets that currently support it.

As far as rumors of when the iPad 3 might hit the streets, speculation of a March 2012 seem likely with Apple sticking to their historical release cycle, but we won’t know for sure until Apple makes the announcement.

Source: BGR

Seth Weintraub from 9to5Mac has a source within Foxconn that claims Apple is readying the iPhone 5 — as it’s apparently being called — for production in time for a summer release. The leak also claims:

• 4+ inch display (made by LG on at least one of them)
• No teardrop-shaped devices as were rumored in the lead up to the iPhone 4S. Samples so far have been >- symmetrical in thickness. Also longer/wider.
• None of the sample devices have the iPhone 4/4S form factor
• None of the devices are final versions

Given Apple has already re-used the iPhone 4 form factor for the iPhone 4S, it makes sense they wouldn’t revisit it again for the iPhone 5. Likewise, the oft-rumored teardrop form-factor, while seen in other devices, doesn’t really seem to fit within Apple’s existing iOS device design language.

Again, no word on 4G LTE network connectivity, which while increasingly common in the U.S. still isn’t widespread internationally.

However, since none of these devices were considered the final version, and since Apple can and will make changes well into the production cycle, it’s best to take everything with a 4-inch grain of salt.

We’ll find out for sure when Phil Schiller holds it up on stage. Or someone leaves it in a bar…

Source: 9to5 Mac

Sony has announced a new 13 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which could one day allow for thinner iPhones that take even higher quality photos and HDR (High Dynamic Range) video.

This image sensor layers the pixel section containing formations of back-illuminated structure pixels onto chips containing the circuit section for signal processing, which is in place of supporting substrates for conventional back-illuminated CMOS image sensors. This structure achieves further enhancement in image quality, superior functionalities and a more compact size that will lead to enhanced camera evolution.

The setup separates the CMOS sensor from the imaging circuits which, along with a bit of optics-magic, results in higher quality images. It also thinner, which means iPhones and iPads, if Apple implements it, could be thinner.

Source: Sony

BGR was tipped on a few references to x2 iPad graphics — the kind required for Retina displays — in the new iBooks 2, adding fuel to the iPad 3 rumor fire.

Some of these aren’t new, and were included in the iBooks 1.1 update from last year, but it’s still nice to see that Apple’s getting ready.

Source: BGR, @boygenius

Japanese news site macotakara claims Apple will hold an iPad 3 launch event in early February. The report cites sources in the U.S. as well as within the Asian supply chain, and note a release will likely take place in early March.

This falls in line with what iMore has heard about Apple is gearing up for a March 2012 release. Since the iPad 3 seems likely to get a Retina display, designers and developers will need to produce 2x graphics (if they haven’t started to already) and the more time they have, the better, especially for gaming companies.

Source: Macotakara

Deep within iOS 5.1 beta 3 are mentions to two next-generation iPad 3 code names, J1AP and J2AP, as well as ongoing references to Facebook. While digging through firmware code is not a sure fire way of finding out exactly Apple is up to — it has in the past yielded some results. In this case, they seem in line with a previous account from Digitimes on iPad 3 code names J1 and J2. These likely, though not definitely, refer to the Wi-Fi and cellular data versions of iPad 3.

Another tidbit of information found within the firmware is that Facebook is again being mentioned. As we know it, iOS 4 was set to have Facebook integration but it was subsequently dropped from the OS when an agreement couldn’t be reached between the two companies. Could there be more integration with Facebook coming or is this simply legacy code left around, just in case?

Alas, we’ll just have to wait and see what Apple has in store for us with iOS 6 but if any of what we’re seeing in the iOS 5.1 beta 3 code turns out to be accurate then, we’re pretty glad folks still keep checking in there for things Apple may have missed. Jump on past the break, and you can see where the J1AP and J2AP are showing up.

UPDATE: Some iPod touch goodness added for your enjoyment, below.

Source: @jackoplane

9to5 Mac has uncovered what could be Apple’s plan to bring Siri dictation to the iPad once iOS 5.1 is released.

Our own tipster Sonny Dickson was looking through the iOS 5.1 beta 3 settings application on the iPad and discovered a new section in the keyboard menu called “About Privacy and Dictation.” When opened, as shown above, the iPad provides the user with the standard legal literature and feature information for Siri Dictation.

They also learned that, although present in the iOS 5.1 beta 3 code, Siri dictation isn’t actually functional on the iPad running the latest beta firmware. This doesn’t deter the possibility of Siri dictation becoming a launch feature for the iPad once it hits the public, however, and would help Apple take the first small step in expanding Siri to other iOS devices.

Indeed, this could be Apple’s presumtive intention on bringing full Siri functionality to the iPad, and possibly the iPod touch further down the road.

Source: 9to5Mac

Randomly accurate rumor site Digitimes suggests that, according to industry sources out of Taiwan, Apple will release a Retina display iPad 3 in March, then turn around and ship a more significant iPad 4 in October.

The 9.7-inch iPad 4 is expected to come with much upgraded hardware specifications and integrated applications so as to compete with an array of Android-, Wintel- or WoA (Windows on ARM)-based tablet PCs to be released in the fourth quarter, said the sources.

They also reaffirm the rumor that Apple will keep the iPad 2 on sale at a lower $399 price.

This is an almost identical rumor to one that made the rounds last year, with numerous sources — including iMore — hearing that Apple was at least toying with the idea of releasing iPad 3 in October of 2011. Whether those rumors were ultimate inaccurate, or display constraints required Apple change plans and revert to a spring 2012 release is unknown.

Likewise, whether or not there’s any substance to these rumor rehashes, or an attempt to suppress iPad 3 sales with early chatter of an iPad 4 is impossible to say at this point. It does seem unlikely that Apple would release two iPads in the same retail year, given the enormous success of their current strategy.

Source: Digitimes

Mark Gurman over at 9to5 Mac has discovered some code buried deep within the iOS 5.1 beta which might suggest Apple is prepping a quad-core chip to power future iPhone and iPad devices.

The references to quad-core iPhone and iPad chips come by way of a hidden panel that describes cores that are supported by iOS device hardware. The updated core management software includes an option of “/cores/core.3,” and this represents a fourth available processing core…

Gurman explains that people who work closely with iOS code advised the core count begins at 0, so a dual-core processor would be labeled as core.1 for its second core, and as such, a quad-core processor would carry a core.3 label for its fourth core.

Whether we’ll see this in the Apple A6 chipset — which is expected to power the iPad 3 and next-gen iPhone — is another story. Although Apple doesn’t like to tout specs as a selling point, they need great hardware to drive great software.

Source: 9to5Mac

Jeremy Horwitz from iLounge has posted rumors about the iPad 3 and what his sources say we should expect.

Some of the changes included were upgraded front and rear cameras with HD FaceTime on the front and an 8MP sensor on the rear. His sources believe the rear camera may in fact be the same as the iPhone 4S.

Horwitz, who has had good information in the past, also dispels rumors of the next iPad hitting in January or February, and instead suggested it will follow the same March/April release cycle the iPad has been on since it debuted in 2010, and that the iPad 2 will stick around at an entry-level price of $399.

Source: iLounge via @horwitz

USA Today, based on sources who have previously worked at Apple, is contributing some more information to the increasingly large Apple television rumor pile.

Apple is said to be looking at a 42-inch or larger LCD TV with built-in Wi-Fi. Inside the locked-down studio of Jonathan Ive, senior vice president of industrial design at Apple, there’s a slick 50-inch TV, according to the source who worked at Apple.

Previous speculation out of China suggested a 32 or 37-inch television with Siri controls.

Although this report mentions that talks with media executives have stalled, it’s apparent that a 42 or even 50-inch model vs a smaller display would likely help Apple get a better foothold during their primary push into this new and already-crowded product segment. And with CES just around the corner, rumors of Apple making a television are only going to get more frequent.

Source: USA Today

Clayton Morris has chimed in on the January media event and what Apple may have in store for us.

• This event will focus on iTunes University and Apple in education
• This initiative has been in the making for years.
• The announcement will be small in size but large in scope: a big announcement in a demure space.
• I expect at least two large project announcements as they relate to Apple in education.
• Steve Jobs was intimately involved with this project before his passing. He gave a hat tip to the textbook side of this project in the Isaacson biography.
• This will not be a hardware-related announcement.

It was previously speculated that Apple may be holding a special iBooks-related event, which could definitely hold true in respect to textbooks as Morris has outlined. Check out his whole post via the link below.

Source: Clayton Morris

Hit or miss rumor site Digitimes has reported that Apple may plan on introducing a low-end iPad 2 with a starting price of around $299 after the next-generation iPad hits the market.

Sources from Apple’s supply chain have claimed that there will be two versions of the new iPad, one targeting the high-end segment and the other the mid-range. Digitimes Research believe the two new iPad models will both be equipped the A6 processor with high-end model coming with a high resolution panel (2048×1536) and the mid-tier model featuring the same grade of panel as iPad 2 (1024×768).

Digitimes can be as accurate as your average coin toss, but with the Kindle Fire and other, lower-end tablets now on the market, Apple could consider doing what they’ve done with the iPhone for years — keeping the previous year’s model around at a reduced price to choke the air out of the budget players. iPhones come with steep carrier subsidies, however, and there’s no telling if Apple could — or would be willing to — make even a previous year’s iPad at a low enough cost to both match Kindle-style competitors and still keep Apple’s margins where they need to be.

A reduced price iPad 2-style device does make more sense than the 7-inch iPad Digitimes has also been peddling lately.

Source: Digitimes

Randomly accurate rumor site Digitimes is reporting from “industry sources” that Apple plans to utilize Sharp’s IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) technology in the iPad 3, which has been rumored to come packed with a 2048×1536 Retina display.

Speculation that LG and Samsung, expected producers of the Retina display panels for the next iPad, had run into production issues could indicate why Apple has turned to Sharp, or at least added Sharp to the mix. Panel supply constraint has been a challenge for Apple since the launch of the original iPad in 2010.

Source: Digitimes

Hit-or-miss rumor site Digitimes is reporting that Apple plans on doubling the size of the battery in the the iPad 3, and moreover, that Apple will release it as soon as next month.

The battery capacity for the high-end version of Apple’s new iPad – due to be unveiled in January 2012 – will be increased to 14,000mAH compared to 6,500mAH used currently, according to industry sources.

As always, take these rumors with a Macworld|iWorld expo sized grain of salt. Digitimes‘ “sources” also mentioned that Apple will debut two separate models of the iPad, one for the high-end market and the other filling in the mid-range segment. While 7-inch iPad persist, keeping the iPad 2 around the way the previous year’s iPhone is usually kept around could be another alternative.

As to a January launch, that feels more like a rumor designed to hurt current iPad sales than anything fitting Apple’s previous release patterns. Curious how those keep popping up, isn’t it?

UPDATE: Jim Dalrymple from The Loop, whose sources are excellent, says there’s nothing to see here. No iPad 3 at Macworld or CES, and no Apple Televisions either. [The Loop]

Source: Digitimes

Hit-or-miss rumor site Digitimes has additional speculation from “industry sources” that Apple may be looking to Foxconn to assemble orders of their upcoming Siri-powered Apple Television.

Following sources’ claims that Samsung Electronics and Sharp will manufacture chips and displays, respectively, for the so-called Apple “iTV,” others have suggested that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) and Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) have the potential to win orders for Apple’s smart TV.

The “sources” also added to conjecture that Apple is planning to release the Apple Television in late 2012, which may debut in 32 and 37-inch form.

Source: Digitimes

BRG claims that sources close to Apple are telling them that the next iPhone will be released in the fall of 2012, bringing in a completely new design with an all-aluminium back.

We have also learned that Apple is planning to use a rubber or plastic material — similar to the material used in the company’s bumper cases — that will be built into the new iPhone case. In all likelihood, this material will be used as a bezel surrounding the front edge of the phone (like the iPhone 3GS bezel) and it will serve two purposes. First, it will join the glass iPhone face with a new aluminum back plate. It will also cover a redesigned antenna system that surrounds the device, allowing Apple to build the rear case out of aluminum without having to use a large plastic insert above the antennas as the company does on its iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G.

While BGR has had solid Apple information in the past, they’ve recently been far more miss than hit, especially where new iPhone models and releases have been concerned. However, it does make sense for Apple to stick to a new fall release cycle for the iPhone given the iPhone 4S release changeover earlier this year, and the need for a strong, fall, hero device now that iPod has declined.

Source: BGR

Randomly accurate rumor site, Digitimes has word from “industry sources” that suppliers are starting to build materials for 32 and 37-inch Apple Televisions for release in the second or third quarter of 2012.

Instead of a form of set-top box (STB) like the Apple TV launched in 2006, Apple’s new products will be full TV sets, the sources added [...] The displays of the new iTV sets will focus on 32 and 37-inch sizes initially, noted sources in the supply chain.

Steve Jobs mentioned in his official biography that he’d finally “cracked” the television, and we’ve heard rumors that Apple was recently in talks with media executives about a television set product. However, Apple is no doubt working on a lot of new products in the lab, so keep this filed this in your “expect it when you see it” folder for now.

Source: Digitimes

Randomly accurate rumor site Digitimes thinks Apple will be releasing a 7.85-inch iPad sometime around Q4 2012 to help compete with the Amazon Kindle Fire.

Apple is likely to launch a 7.85-inch iPad prior to the fourth quarter of 2012 in addition to a new iPad scheduled to be released at the end of the first quarter, according to sources in the supply chain.

We previously heard rumors of Apple planning the release of a 7-inch iPad by Christmas of 2010, and obviously that never happened. With the Kindle Fire gaining in popularity, however, this new rumor suggest Apple may be inclined to jump into the mini-tablet game to maintain a strong foothold in the tablet market. This rumor also backs up previous speculation of Apple prepping manufacturers for a 7.85-inch iPad for a 2012 release.

Then again, Apple never bothered competing with netbooks, so their not adverse to staying away from low-margin products, and saying the Kindle’s size is the key to it’s success seems rather superficial. Neither the Galaxy Tab nor PlayBook — both 7-inches — sold at anything approaching high volume.

Source: Digitimes

Randomly accurate rumor site Digitimes is reporting that Apple may have some MacBook Pro’s launching with 2880 x 1800 resolution Retina displays in Q2 2012.

While anything from Digitimes needs to be taken with a MacBook sized grain of salt, Apple has been slowly building towards higher resolution displays for a long time, so this isn’t exactly earth-shattering rumor stuff here.

No mention as to which models will receive the upgrade or whether or not they’ll beat the oft-rumored iPad 3 Retina display to market.

Source: Digitimes

Randomly accurate rumor site Digitimes claims word from supply chain sources that Apple is on track to release the iPad 3 within the next 3-4 months.

The next generation iPads are expected to be available in the next 3-4 months as makers in the supply chain have started delivering parts and components for the new tablets to OEM contractors while reducing those prepared for iPad 2, according to sources in the supply chain.

This comes as no surprise to TiPb, as the original iPad first hit the streets in April of 2010, with the iPad 2 following up in March of this year. News that component makers in the supply chain are on target for a March/April release means that Apple isn’t running into any manufacturing issues as previously speculated.

The next iPad is also rumored to sport a 2048×1536 Retina display with around 300 ppi, handily beating out the 1024×768 resolution of the current iPad 2.

Source: Digitimes

Take this one with a 9.7-inch grain of salt, but according to Citi analyst Richard Gardner, Apple has overcome all technical hurdles and will be releasing the iPad 3 in February sporting a full 2048×1536 Retina display.

According to “several sources” the next iPad will launch in February, and it will sport a screen with double the resolution of the current model. Gardner says, “there do not appear to be any significant technical hurdles remaining” to prevent a launch of a high-resolution iPad, despite rumors to the contrary.

TiPb previously heard Apple had considered moving iPad 3 up to a fall 2011 release but due to scale issues with the Retina display had moved it back to a spring 2012 slot.

Bearing in mind analysts are often only as reliable as flipping a coin, this shouldn’t dissuade anyone who wants a current generation iPad 2 for the holidays from getting an iPad 2 for the holidays. If you can hold out, however, the original iPad was released in April 2010, and the iPad 2 hit in March of this year, so the cycle could well continue. (Or Apple could move iPad 3 to the June slot, keeping iPhone in its new fall position — there’s simply no way to know until Apple makes the announcement.)

Source: BusinessInsider

iOS developer @Gojohnnyboi discovered some code in iOS 5.0.1 that could indicate iChat — Apple’s Mac OS X instant messenger client — functionality may be coming to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch down the road.

Although the new iMessage feature in iOS 5 doesn’t hook into the same chat services mentioned in the code, it would make a lot of sense for Apple to ultimately streamline the iChat, FaceTime, and iMessage into a single service across Apple devices.

How soon you’ll actually see this on your iPhone or iPad isn’t exactly clear, but this at least suggests Apple has been experimenting with this on the iOS platform.

Source: @Gojohnnyboi via TUAW

Coming as a surprise to no one — we hope — Macerkopf.de says Apple is working hard on iOS 5.0.2 and iOS 5.1 beyond that. iOS 5.0.2 should address battery life issues that remained following the iOS 5.0.1 release and it’s initial batch of battery fixes. iOS 5.1, they say, will bring some new features to Siri, including the ability to take pictures and video, and toggle Bluetooth, Wi-Fi.

Here’s to hoping for another beta release in the coming days, and a full release soon after!

Source: Macerkopf.de via; MacRumors

An iPad with a smaller display, and an iPhone with a larger display may sound like familiar rumors by now, but Korean Times says an “industry insider” approached them with some new details about them, specifically that LG had been contracted to work on them.

“Next year’s iPhone to feature a 4-inch display by LG Display, half an inch larger than the 3.5-inch display and retina display resolution will remain unchanged because LCD is currently being regarded as the right solution to offer value with better cost-cuts”

So are you getting tired of all these different sized iPad and iPhone rumors now, or just tired of Apple not releasing them already?

Source: ComputerWorld

Apple already has a Hulu Plus app up and running on Apple TV but may be delaying its launch due to concerns it will compete with iTunes TV Show sales, according to 9to5Mac. Their sources claim the Hulu Plus for Apple TV is now feature complete and ready for release, and has supposedly been ready for release for over a month. The reason for the hold is thought to be political and not related to any technical issues.

While Apple TV 2 has had Netflix since launch, their content is mainly older, catalog shows, not the new releases that are more profitable for iTunes.

Hulu Plus is already available on iOS, and in HD on a few other set top boxes such as the Roku and the Western Digital TV Live. It would make so much sense to have it available on the Apple TV too.

Source: 9to5Mac

According to “sources familiar with the future of Mac OS X”, AirPlay Mirroring and iMessage are both set to make an appearance in the not too distant future. The sources, talking to 9to5Mac claim that both of these applications are in development although they could be shelved just as easily.

AirPlay Mirroring would certainly be a welcome addition to the Mac OS X platform, allowing a user to mirror the screen of their Mac without the need for an expensive projector. You could see Apple TV’s popping up in company boardrooms attached to smaller LCD panels.

iMessage may be introduced into the current iChat application after references were discovered in its code. No firm decision has been made yet and it may even end up as a standalone application. According to the source, both solutions are being developed. iMessage would allow a Mac user to message any iOS device for free.

It makes a lot of sense for Apple to offer these features on the Mac OS X platform, it now looks like it is going to happen in a future update.

Source: 9to5Mac

CNet reports that LG and Samsung may be met with production issues for Apple’s rumored iPad 3 Retina Display.

They have production plans for 2,048×1,536 displays. Starting in November. But those are only plans at this point,” said the source, referring to LG and Samsung. “It’s not a question of making just one. That, of course, can be done. The challenge is making lots of them,” the source said. “This is a quantum leap in pixel density. This hasn’t been done before.”

They refer to interim plans for a 1600×1200 resolution display, but given huge problems that would mean for developers, it seems unlikely.

TiPb previously heard that Apple was flirting with the idea of releasing an iPad 2 Pro or iPad 3 this year, but by August we heard production issues meant they were moving back to a spring 2012 schedule.

Source: CNet

According to Economic Daily News out of Taiwan, Apple has purportedly paired up with LG Display and AU Optronics for a new 7.85-inch iPad to be released in early 2012. The smaller iPad would supposedly carry the same 1024×768 resolution of the current iPad 2, making a higher DPI level and helping Apple compete with the recently-announced 7-inch Kindle Fire.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of a smaller iPad from Economic Daily News, as around the same time last year there were rumors of Apple prepping a 7-inch iPad for a Christmas 2010 release that never saw the light of day.

As with all iPad speculation, take this with a 7.8-inch grain of salt. Steve Jobs famously hated on the idea due to the lack of screen size limiting the quality of the apps.

Anyone else get the feeling the crazy rumor people won’t be happy until they’ve spread word of Apple making an imagined tablet in every size Samsung makes a real one?

Source: Economic Daily News via UnwiredView

9to5Mac posted some thoughts on what they think happened with the more ambitious iPhone 5 update that some were expecting to be announced at Apple’s Lets Talk iPhone event earlier this month.

The iPhone 4S as you see it was originally planned to be released at WWDC with iOS 5, like every iPhone before it [...] But something happened around February of this year that threw everything off. Apple was still integrating the Siri team and code into iOS and it was going much slower than planned. At the same time, Apple’s iPhone 5 (teardrop) plans were moving along on or ahead of schedule and the first prototypes were testing well. With mid-October being the earliest possible date of a Siri-fied iOS being ready – with “Apple-levels” of polish –Apple had to look at its options.

This could explain the iPhone 5 case leak-a-palooza we saw just before the iPhone 4S announcement.

TiPb’s own sources are split on this, with some saying Apple had planned iPhone 5 as the new iPhone, and iPhone 4S as souped up iPhone 4 for the mid-range market. Others insist iPhone 4S was the plan all along, and no redesign was ever in the cards for this year (or at least, wasn’t considered for long).

9to5Mac‘s sources expect the redesigned iPhone to be announced in summer of 2012. TiPb’s still hearing fall 2012, but this far out Apple can and will keep plans as flexible as possible.

Hit the link below for a full breakdown.

Source: 9to5Mac

I’m hearing that Apple is working on a new iPad app that looks a lot like DirecTV without the dish, too. Again, that app will have Steve Jobs’ fingerprints all over it as it will be more expansive than the press is expecting in its content availability. There’s a reason Apple built a 500,000-square-foot datacenter (about twice the size of a Facebook one, by the way) and that new datacenter is for video and the data that video causes to be shared with everyone.

Source: Robert Scoble Google+

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sprint has landed a huge $20 billion deal with Apple to purchase roughly 30 million iPhone units over the next four years.

Mr. Hesse told the board the carrier would have to agree to purchase at least 30.5 million iPhones over the next four years—a commitment of $20 billion at current rates—whether or not it could find people to buy them, according to people familiar with the matter. In order to keep the price people pay for the phone low and competitive with rivals, Sprint would be subsidizing the cost of each phone to the tune of about $500, which would take a long time to recoup even at the high monthly fees iPhone users pay.

Sprint is calling this an “all-in” gamble as they’re essentially betting the farm on the iPhone to keep them competitive with Verizon and AT&T. But this seems to us like a very high risk gamble for Sprint to take.

BGR also claims they have word from an “incredibly solid source” that Sprint has landed an exclusive deal on the iPhone 5 with support for 4G WiMax out of the gate, with AT&T and Verizon only getting the device later next year.

I have been told that Sprint will be getting the iPhone 5 — yes the real iPhone 5, not the iPhone 4S — as an exclusive. And it will be a WiMAX device. AT&T and Verizon would launch the iPhone 4S and get the iPhone 5 sometime in the first quarter of next year as an LTE device. Globally, the iPhone 5 might be available as a 4G HSPA+ device.

Wouldn’t it be far more likely, however, for Sprint to get a budget iPhone 4 and offer it at a far cheaper contract than AT&T or Verizon?

Source: WSJ, BGR

Last Friday TiPb heard that while Apple had considered releasing iPad 3 as early as this fall, it ultimately wasn’t going to ship until the now traditional spring timeframe. Now the intermittently reliable Digitimes is reporting that Apple has cancelled orders with suppliers for iPad 3 parts for this fall.

Apple was originally set to launch its iPad 3 in the second half of 2011 with a supply volume of 1.5-2 million units in the third quarter and 5-6 million in the fourth quarter, but Apple’s supply chain partners have recently discovered that the related figures have all already been deleted, the sources pointed out.

Further, we theorized part of the reason could be the costs and yield rates of the reported 2048×1536 Retina Display, which Digitimes

The sources believe that the yield rate of the 9.7-inch panel that feature resolution of 2,048 by 1,536 may be the major reason of the supply delay since such panels are mainly supplied by Japan-based Sharp with a high price and Apple’s other supply partners Samsung Electronics and LG Display are both unable to reach a good yield.

They also report that backlighting and other issues with the Retina Display may also be playing a part. If Digitimes proves accurate, it’ll be interesting to see if the other part of our tip pans out — that iPhone 5 is set for October 7.

[Digitimes]

A MacRumors forum member going by the handle guigsh posted the above photo(shop?!) in their forums this morning, claiming it was a spy shot of iPhone 5 taken in the office of a French operator. While we’ve seen spy shots of HP webOS devices under similar circumstances in the past, this one doesn’t look much more believable than those [Chinese iClones we've been seeing lately].

A follow-up post from the thread author gives us the following information:

we were able to see it only 2 minutes, pictures forbidden of course, so, we did our best. I just want to share this with the mac community, now trust me or not. Rendez-vous in 1-2 months

No doubt we’ll see tons more leaks, and tons more fakes before Steve Jobs holds up the real deal this fall. In the meantime, this one is making the blog rounds so take it for what it’s worth — a very large grain of salt. I’m personally not convinced in the least.

Your turn. Real, fake, or really fake?

MacRumors Forums

According to Ashok Kumar, an analyst for Rodman & Renshaw, Apple will be launching an iPad Pro this quarter aimed at the professional user. The updated iPad will include improvements to the screen resolution and have HD front and rear facing cameras.

A ‘professional’ iPad would have incremental improvements and possibly appeal to segments such as publishing, according to analysts. “Apple is…expected to roll out a premium version of iPad 2–a higher resolution screen, front-/rear- facing HD cameras–in the current quarter,” Ashok Kumar, an analyst at Rodman & Renshaw, wrote in a research note today.

We don’t normally pay much attention to analyst predictions but the news of an updated iPad model being released this year is nothing new. We are hearing the same information over and over again and from different sources. This could very well be happening; the next few months are going to be very interesting!

[cNet]

More reports are springing up that the next generation iPhone 5 will feature a thinner, tapered hardware design based off images of 3rd party silicone cases. Now this is not the first time we’ve come across rumors of what the new hardware will look like. It all started as early as April when we heard about a completely new design and then again earlier this month we heard similar reports of a thinner and lighter device.

However, iPhone 5 — assuming that’s what Apple calls it — from what TiPb has been hearing for a few months now, from very reliable sources, the next generation of iPhone hardware will look very, very close to the current iPhone 4 design. It will not take on the design of the iPhone 3GS or iPod touch. It will not be moving backwards.

Now Apple often does work on more than one concept, a more audacious design that changes a lot (like iPhone 3GS to iPhone 4) and a more conservative model if the audacious one doesn’t work out (like iPhone 3G to iPhone 3GS), so it’s possible the different rumors are based on leaks from different concepts.

It’s also possible the 3rd party cases appearing with this shape are harbingers of iPhone nano concepts instead, or simply next generation iPod touch cases (with added iPad-style mute switch).

Bottom line is do not get your hopes up for a newly redesigned iPhone 5. Expect a better camera along with the dual core A5 chip with the same externals. That way, at worst, you won’t be disappointed, and at best, you’ll be surprised.

[9to5Mac]

Facebook for iPad has been uncovered in the recently updated Facebook for iPhone. A twitter user discovered a hack to make it visible — editing a file on your iPad to change the UIDeviceFamily ID in the apps plist file to get the iPad interface up and running app, but you do need to have a jailbroken iPad to be able to do this.

It is not just the iPhone version blown up to fill the iPad’s screen either. This is a totally different interface with slide out navigation menus and a separate chat menu too. Techcrunch has spoken with one of its sources who claim that this is the actual Facebook app for iPad and it will be officially launched soon.

I have tested the app with my iPad and it does seem to work very well. It looks and feels totally different to the iPhone version of the app and navigation is very well done. I also tested uploading photographs and it is seamless and offers access to your photo library as well as the camera on the iPad 2. It does have a few little rough edges that will need to be ironed out but that, sadly, won’t come as a shock to users of the beleaguered Facebook for iPhone app!

It will be interesting to see if Facebook expedite the launch of its iPad app now that this has leaked out.

[@AeroEchelon via Techcrunch]

An interesting iPod touch screen shot has been uncovered from the just released iOS 5 beta 4. The screen shot shows a toggle switch for cellular connectivity. Could this mean that the iPod touch will be getting a 3G data option when it is refreshed later this year?

The iPod touch would benefit hugely from data connectivity, especially with the introduction of iMessage in iOS 5. An always on messaging device, without the need for a costly voice and text plan would definitely be a hit for parents with younger children.

Personally I think this is just some code left over from the iPhone version of the beta and nothing more than that. However it would make a lot of sense for Apple to offer it as an option!

[9to5 Mac]

According to an article in The Wall Street Journal from the unusually accurate Kane, a few members of Apple’s board have discussed possibilities for Steve Jobs future replacement. The members are believed to have spoken with executive recruiters as well as at least one head of a high profile tech company. The source of the information is “people familiar with the matter”. The Wall Street Journal even managed to get an email from Steve Jobs in response to its questions.

Mr. Jobs said Monday in an email, “I think it’s hogwash.” An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

If this turns out to be true, the directors don’t appear to have been acting on behalf of the full board or with the knowledge of Steve Jobs. Always a dangerous game to play in any business. especially one as high profile as Apple! On the other hand, it would be foolish for any business with its CEO on a medical leave of absence, not to have long term plans in place. (Almost as foolish as divulging to the competition just exactly what that plan is…)

[WSJ]

Despite the recent rumor that Apple was looking to add a second manufacturer to its iPad supply chain, DigiTimes‘s magic 8-ball now says it won’t happen… this year at least. Foxconn has convinced Apple that it can manage the whole iPad operation on its own.

Foxconn has exerted its efforts to protect its orders and apparently has persuaded Apple to not shift some of its iPad orders to other contractors for the moment.

[DigiTimes]

Sohu.com published a photo of what appears to be an iPhone prototype running on the China Mobile network. If it isn’t fake — and we take such things with a Great Wall sized grain of salt — it suggests the iPhone maybe coming to the world’s largest carrier sooner rather than later.

The phone appears to run baseband software with version number 06.10.01, which hasn’t been released yet. It also lacks an IMEI number, just like an iPhone 4 prototype we spotted on eBay. Evaluation devices normally have no IMEI number.

Apple would most-likely choose to go with a TD-SCDMA iPhone before getting into 4G territory in China if this is the real deal, but there’s really no clear way of telling from the photo. There are, however, noticeable errors seen in the image such as blurred UI elements, incorrect font spacing etc. Look at the resolution of the time on the status bar compared to the 3G indicator as a good example.

So what do you think? Real, fake, or really fake?

[Sohu via 9to5Mac]

It’s not the wink-wink, nudge-nudge controlled leak we’ve come to expect from The Wall Street Journal, but according to their supply chain sources “familiar with the situation”, iPhone 5 might indeed have a new casing:

According to some suppliers of components to Apple, the new version of the iPhone is expected to be thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4 and sport an 8-megapixel camera. One person said the new iPhone will operate on Qualcomm Inc.’s wireless baseband chips.

Though not the Qualcomm chips that run on LTE, as those aren’t expected to be small and power-efficient enough until 2012. The WSJ is also rumoring that Apple intends to manufacture 25 million of them. That is, if manufacturers can produce them fast enough. Despite Apple having nearly $70 billion in the bank, enough to finance factories, get cut rate prices, and lock their competition out of next-generation production techniques and components, they’ve struggled to produce enough iPad, iPhone 4, and iPad 2 units to meet the skyrocketing demand.

That, and not making a wafer-thin, anti-gravity iPhone is going to be the key problem for Apple to solve moving forward.

[Wall Street Journal]

After the recent leak of a beta version of the iPad 2 jailbreak, it looks like the official version may be getting released very soon — maybe as soon as today. The jailbreakme.com site has been updated with a rather cheeky yellow sticky note with the well know phrase “We’ll be back soon”. (The sticky note is used by Apple when it has taken down its online store to update.)

[jailbreakme.com]

The LA Times is reporting that Google is in preliminary talks to acquire none other than Hulu. The information comes from anonymous sources close to the situation. Google is supposedly interested in buying Hulu due to the huge potential for advertising revenue. The report also claims that Google will face stiff competition from Yahoo and Microsoft.

Hulu has content from a number of current TV shows and has apps available for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad that are based on a monthly subscription model, though it is currently US only.

If Google does buy Hulu,maybe it would even improve things? Google does tend to give content away for free in return for a user’s personal data!

[Los Angeles Times via Android Central]

According to BGR Apple will be announcing a much improved and updated iPhone 5 as early as August.

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.

Lots of recent rumors have pointed to Apple releasing a small upgrade form the current iPhone 4; even going so far as to call it the iPhone 4S. Both This is My Next‘s iPhone 5 rumors, and now BGR‘s dispute that. Unless Apple is planning two release (iPhone nano?, someone is going to have to make up their mind and soon.

BGR has also heard that it is possible Apple will hold the iPhone 5 announcement event at the beginning or middle of August with availability to follow as early as the end of August. TiPb has heard similar August rumblings from big box retail sources, but their information is usually hit and miss and hard to source. The major issue with an August timeframe is obviously Apple’s announcement of a fall release of iOS 5. There is no way Apple will release a new iPhone prior to the release of iOS 5 — at least every new iPhone to date has shipped with a new version of iOS.

Could Apple announce iPhone 5 in August and release it alongside iOS 5 in September? Would that make sense?

[BGR]

Could iCloud be much more than a streaming music service and data store? John Gruber of Daring Fireball seems to think so. He has put together a post on what he expects at today’s WWDC Apple keynote and reveals a snippet of fourth hand information that is quite interesting.

Don’t think of iCloud as the new MobileMe; think of iCloud as the new iTunes.

We assume that this would all have to be done over a WiFi connection due to 3G data limits. Not that much longer to wait to find out for definite! We will be live blogging all the events as they unfold later today.

What do you think? Would this be a feature you would like to see implemented by Apple? Let us know in the comments!

[Daring Fireball]

Cult of Mac‘s source claims to have the inside info on just how Apple’s new iCloud service will work, and they’re saying Apple’s Time Capsule (Airport Extreme + hard drive combo) will serve as its local hub.

Files saved on your computer are backed up instantly to Time Capsule, which makes them available to remote Macs and iOS devices.

If you make any changes on any computer, those changes are updated through iCloud and stored on your Time Capsule. The Time Capsule archives and serves up your files even when your computers are off. When you get home and fire up your desktop computer or laptop, the files are automatically synced across your devices.

This service will also allow you to upload photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Time Capsule. The media will be stored on the device and be made available for other devices to sync. iCloud is the “conduit” through which everything moves, the source said.

“Your computer gets backed up to Time Capsule anyways,” said the source. “Now it’ll serve up your content when you want it, where you want it, right there on your iOS device.”

Rumors of a Time Capsule update have been circulating recently in regards to iOS updates. If this new source is accurate, it raises some important questions. Would the $299 1TB or $499 2TB Time Capsule be required for iCloud, or just be an additional option if you prefer to control your own data? If required, that’s an expensive ticket for entry into the iCloud.

Time Capsule is also presented as a single drive, with none of the parity and redundancy of something like the RAID 6-like Drobo, and the offsite protection of something like DropBox. Will iCloud offer that?

If the base iCloud service is on Apple’s data center, but you can keep a cache locally on Time Capsule, you’d get local + local backup + offsite backup, which is pretty much the magic formula. That would be a very interesting service. Wouldn’t it?

[Cult of Mac, @arnoldkim]

Could automatic, over the air (OTA) app updates be coming with iOS 5? MacRumors has uncovered the following line of text had been added to the My App Updates Screen, and has now been removed by Apple.

Or if your device has Automatic Download enabled for apps, your updates will download to your device without having to sync.

Apple has been rumored to include OTA app updates for iOS devices before. Since this setting is not part of any previous iOS build and has not been seen within iTunes previously, it could be a sign of things to come in iOS 5.

The process should allow you to set apps to automatically update when an update is present; without the need to open up the on device App Store and manually click either update all or selected apps. It also may be for more than just apps, we will have to wait until Monday to find out all the details.

We know some of you update your apps a lot more frequently than others. Would you like all your app updates done seamlessly and automatically?

[MacRumors]

Macotakara, a Japanese blog, are rumoring that Apple will release an “iPhone 4S” in July or August this year with the same form factor as the current iPhone 4, with a a completely new model, or “iPhone 5” not be launched until Spring 2012 (!). The main difference will be in the hardware inside the phone. They claim that the iPhone 4s will have an 8-megapixel camera, an Apple A5 chipset based on the ARM Cortex-A9 CPU, and will have a built-in SIM and thus not require the card.

The Arm Cortex-A9 is the same CPU foundation that is currently inside the iPad 2 as the dual core A5; however this does not necessarily mean that it will be a dual core in the iPhone 4s. If this rumor turns out to be true, it could still be a single core. Other rumors however do point to it being a dual core as we have heard previously that certain game developers were receiving these to test.

The SIM-less part of the rumor is apparently to integrate both GSM and CDMA technologies into the same handset. An improved antennae design is also rumored with 3-4 additional antennas inside. However, European carriers do not want this at all — they feel it will get in the way of their customer relationship — and so more recent rumors suggest Apple may be working on something even smaller than the current micro-SIM.

As with all these rumors, take them with a huge grain of salt. Not long to wait now until all will be revealed officially or not, at WWDC. We will be there to see everything unfold. If this one turns out to be true, will you be upgrading; if you already have an iPhone 4? Will you just wait until next year for the iPhone 5? Let us know in the comments!

[Macotakara]

Could Apple be going with Samsung AMOLED for the iPad 3 display? Rumor has it Apple COO Tim Cook recently visited South Korea to work out just that deal:

Apple wants to tap into Samsung’s AMOLED technology for an upgraded version of the iPad2, considered as many as the iPad3 [...] During Cook’s trip last week, Apple seems to have offered Samsung an advance for the AMOLED displays.

An AMOLED display on the next iPad would offer improved brightness, and reduce reflection and power consumption. This also adds more fuel to the rumor that Apple may end up releasing the iPad 3 later this year, effectively resetting the release cycle to better align with the holiday season.

But with Apple going after Samsung for copying aspects of the iPhone and iPad, do you think they’d actually be able to come to an agreement? Could Samsung even produce the millions of AMOLED panels Apple would need for a real Retina Display iPad 3?

Either way, would you want it?

[Asia News Network via OLED-Info]

We have already heard from a variety of sources that iPhone 5 will be not be arriving this June but rather later this fall, now a representative from UK retailer Phones 4U’s St Albans store told T3 magazine that the new iPhone will not be hitting UK shelves until November 21.

Adding to further fuel to the fire, the retailer announced that Apple’s next generation handset, which they pegged with a November 21st release, would “be pretty much the same as the iPhone 4 with new software. The software is the main difference with the iPhone 5.”

Phones 4U has already distanced itself from the representatives alleged leak, issuing a statement to Pocket-lint this morning.

“With regards to the Phones 4u statement about the release date of the iPhone 5, the Phones 4u team genuinely don’t know where this suggested date has come from and was news to them when they were reading the story! ”No official date has been issued as of yet and we will be sure to let you know when we have such information.”

Our current best guess for iPhone 5 is a September announcement at Apple’s traditional fall iTunes/iPod event, with release in the US during the month of October. If Apple once again staggers international releases, November could very well be the month it hits the UK and other countries.

It’s incredibly unlikely any representative for any carrier or retailer knows anything of Apple’s plans right now — other than internal gossip or what they read on blogs — but it is interesting to speculate on where he plucked that specific date of November 21 from?

What do you think of the timeline?

[T3 Magazine, Pocket-lint]

Toshiba has announced its line-up of products it will show off at SID Display Week 2011 this week and one of them will be 4-inches and 720p HD.

The mobile section of the booth will feature high-resolution LTPS displays, up to 367ppi (pixels per inch) resolution density, in sizes ranging from 3.3-inch to 4.0-inch with resolution formats ranging from Wide VGA (480 x 864) to HD (720 x 1280). In addition, these displays will demonstrate advanced technologies such as high-contrast (up to 1,500:1), high-color (up to 92% NTSC), and wide viewing angle (up to H/V 176º/176º). The displays are just a few representative examples of TMD’s broad line of thin and light displays for mobile smartphones and other portable electronic devices.

Rumors have been circulating for a while now that Toshiba was building a plant to specifically supply Apple with LCD screens for iPhone models. Could this be the reason? Maybe, may not.

The iPhone 3GS has a resolution of 480 x 320, the iPhone 4 has double that at 960 x 640 and the new Toshiba display has a resolution of 1280 x 720. iPhone 4′s 960 x 640 was the same 4:3 aspect ration exactly double the previous generations 480 x 320, and was therefore broadly compatible. 1280 x 720 is not only incompatible in terms of resolution but in terms of aspect ratio.

Rumors are still pointing to the next generation iPhone being delayed until later this year. It would appear that this timeframe is still too soon to see these panels. But what about iPhone 6?

Apple hasn’t fragmented iPhone displays in the past, would they in the future? And could they come up with some resolution magic so developers aren’t left with the headache of writing apps for multiple different screen resolutions?

[Toshiba via TUAW]

Apple has put up a job post requesting a carrier technician familiar with the Sprint network, which has led many to believe they may be prepping to include Sprint in their ammunition chest of US carriers that support the iPhone.

Apple in a newly discovered job posting effectively gave away plans to make a Sprint iPhone. A position for a “carrier engineer” is being offered that would work out of Kansas City, Missouri, just a short distance from Sprint’s Overland Park, Kansas headquarters. The recruit would be responsible for getting technical certification of devices in an area where Sprint is the only company with a major office.

This goes along with recent rumors of the iPhone 5 possibly including Sprint and T-Mobile as supported carriers, and also backs up Verizon’s claims that the next iPhone will be a world phone supporting both CDMA and GSM networks.

You may recall Apple was seeking CDMA engineers in a similar job posting late last year, which eventually led to the Verizon iPhone being released on the network shortly after.

Do you think we’ll be seeing the iPhone on Sprint anytime soon? Let us know in the comments!

[Stop it, AT&T via Electronista]

BGR‘s tipsters are telling them that Apple might be launching something big on May 19 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Apple Retail Stores.

• During the overnight shift, it’s going to be required that employees lock cell phones in the main office. They will also have to sign an NDA with Apple.
• Apple stores have apparently already received hardware to install, and are expecting more hardware to come on Friday or Saturday. All materials that Apple stores have received have been instructed to be under lock and key until after close on Saturday night.
• Apple employees will be putting up black curtains at all stores so that people walking outside cannot see inside.

We’ve heard previously that Apple was restricting employee leave for this event. So what could this be? It’s too soon for an iPhone or iPod touch, much less another iPad, and Apple just refreshed both MacBook Pros and iMacs. A new Mac Pro? Something totally new?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

[BGR]

Forbes reports that Jefferies & Co analyst Peter Misek has proudly entered our iPhone 5 release pool , adding his voice to the many others that claim Apple will be releasing the iPhone 5 in September. Sort of. Misek states Apple will be going with ‘iPhone 4S’ as the name, following in the footsteps of the 3G to 3GS upgrade, and will not support LTE because the Qualcomm chipset isn’t ready just yet. He also believes Sprint and T-Mobile will be onboard at launch.

According to our industry checks, the device should be called iPhone 4S and include minor cosmetic changes, better cameras, A5 dual-core processor, and HSPA+ support [...] As for LTE, he says the Qualcomm LTE chipset Apple would have used “is currently not achieving yields sufficient for inclusion in the iPhone 5.”

But he also says that “industry checks indicate Apple will likely announce Sprint, T-Mobile, and China Mobile as new carriers.”

Adding China Mobile would further propel Apple’s presence in the Chinese smartphone market. Rumors of the ‘iPhone 4S’ name picked up last month when some developers were reportedly receiving beefed up iPhone 4 units for testing purposes.

Expectations that the next iPhone will be released in September have been mounting, but Apple could always have a surprise up their sleeve at WWDC in June.

What are your thoughts?

[Forbes]

A new rumor says Apple may be seeing supply constraints for the iPad 2 and iPhone 4 due to material and labor shortages at a Foxconn facility in Chengdu, China.

Taiwan-based electronics manufacturing service (EMS) provider Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) is reportedly facing a shortage of both labor and materials at its plants in Chengdu, China, which is likely to affect shipments of iPad 2 and iPhone 4 orders in the second quarter, according to sources from upstream component makers.

They claim Apple estimates quarterly sales for the iPhone 4 at around 20-22 million units and iPad 2 in the 10 million unit range. Foxconn prepared these facilities to accommodate roughly 40 million iPad 2 units annually, and although the China plant in question doesn’t push out as much iPad 2 volume as their Shenzen plant, the impact could still be measurable if consumers find it difficult to pick up the tablet as demand grows.

This also goes against comments made by Apple COO Tim Cook during their quarterly earnings call where he indicated Apple felt confident with their iPad 2 supply plans, and that they should subsequently have an easier time meeting demand going forward.

We’re hoping this rumor is off-base but your guess is as good as ours. Let us know what you think in the comments!

[Digitimes]

According to TechCrunch, Apple is in discussions with Nuance, makers of the widely popular Dragon Dictation voice recognition software.

Apple has been negotiating a deal with Nuance in recent months, we’ve heard from multiple sources. What does that mean? Well, it could mean an acquisition, but that is looking fairly unlikely at this point, we hear. More likely, it means a partnership that will be vital to both companies and could shape the future of iOS.

Apple previously bough the artificial intelligence app, SIRI, which initially relied on Vlingo technology but later switched to Nuance, however Apple has reportedly had trouble renegotiating the Nuance license. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak set off a flurry of rumors late last year when he casually (and presumably mistakenly) said Apple had already bought Nuance. (He likely meant SIRI).

A buyout would be expensive for Apple but a licensing deal would help them remain competitive in the device space — Nuance co-founder Mike Cohen reportedly helped create voice recognition for Google, and Android is now well ahead of Apple in this area.

And the truth is that Nuance needs Apple too. Not only are they also threatened by Google, but Nuance technology is simply not very meaningful without apps that utilize it like Siri. And many of those apps are appearing guess where: iOS.

It’s been rumored for a while that Apple will build SIRI into iOS 5 at the core level, and they might just need Nuance to make that happen. Whether that means an expensive marriage or an expansive partnership — or nothing at all — remains to be seen.

[TechCrunch]

Mark Gurman from 9to5Mac is hearing that Apple and Verizon are discussing over-the-air (OTA) software updates for iOS 5. Google’s Android and HP/Palm’s webOS have been doing OTA OS updates for a while now, and Apple has done OTA carrier file updates, but when it comes to iOS the only option thus far has been complete firmware updates via iTunes.

Multiple sources say the new feature will debut in iOS 5, meaning iOS 5 will not come over-the-air but following point updates to it will. Just like tethering in iOS 3, Apple has the technology but cannot just unleash it everywhere. Apple and Verizon Wireless are said to have been in talks over these wireless software updates since early this year. Sources could not comment on whether or not Apple is negotiating similar deals with AT&T or international iPhone carriers.

And according to Chronic Dev-Team founder, Chronic, it may have been in the works for a while:

I can say quite a bit of code to allow OTA updates has been on the OS for awhile

Chpwn adds:

MobileSoftwareUpdate.framework has been there since iOS 4, but is only “fleshed out” with daemons, etc on the Apple TV.

And iH8ns0w:

there is strong evidence that OTA updates could be coming. Ramdisks have been getting shipped w/o encryption. The AES engine is disabled when it reaches kernel state. So, it cannot decrypt images in iOS.

Apple TV (2010) already does OTA updates for iOS, though it’s secured to a power source at all times. Apple provided Mac OS X Lion’s developer preview via the Mac App Store, so it’s not inconceivable that future iOS updates could come via the iOS App Store either.

Step by step Apple has been dismantling the iTunes tether dependency. Could OTA updates be the next big leap?

[9to5Mac, @chronic, @chpwn, @iH8sn0w]

Huge iPhone 5 rumor from Joshua Topolsky today, as he’s heard that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 may indeed be the total redesign he first mentioned back in his Engadget days, with iPod touch-style thinness, a teardrop, MacBook Air-style chassis, a potentially edge-to screen with no bezel, and Palm Pre-style inductive charging and gesture area.

Furthermore, we’re hearing that the screen on the device will occupy the entire (or near to it) front of the phone, meaning almost no bezel. Our source says the company is doing very “interesting things” with bonded glass technology, and has been exploring designs where the earpiece and sensors are somehow behind the screen itself, making for a device where the display is actually edge-to-edge. Regardless, the sketch we’ve seen suggests the screen will go up to 3.7-inches while keeping the current resolution, and at that size, pixel density goes from 326 to 312 (a drop of 13ppi). That means that Apple can still tout Retina Display technology.

Now as listeners of iPhone Live and TiPb TV know, I’ve been wishing for the total redesign for months. I want to believe. I’ve also wondered if Apple would explore putting components, including perhaps even the antenna, behind the screen. There have been rumors in the past that Apple prepares multiple prototypes, some more ambitions and some more safe. This might explain the stories of a mere spec bump a la iPhone 3GS (iPhone 4S in this case) and stories like this one. So it’s important to keep in mind that even if all this is exactly what Apple is working on, it may not be what they can get ready to ship by fall.

Personally, I would really love this to be the next iPhone. How about you?

[This is my next]

Boy Genius Report is hearing that Apple is planning to release iOS 4.3.2 for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad within the next two weeks.

We’ve just been told by one of our Apple ninjas that the company is working on another iOS 4.3.x release: iOS 4.3.2. It’s said to include a few enhancements, address security issues, and it will also fix several bugs that have affected users.

BGR has been accurate in the past when reporting on iOS software update releases, so the possibility of Apple dropping iOS 4.3.2 in the near future is very much alive. We’re not sure what enhancements they’ve been told of, but the update will hopefully address WiFi and camera issues in iOS 4.3.1 and we’re crossing our fingers that Apple doesn’t fix the untethered jailbreak recently released by the Dev-Team.

Are you looking forward to iOS 4.3.2? Let us know in the comments below!

[BGR]

9to5Mac‘s Seth Weintraub was watching the Wall Street Journal‘s Walt Mossberg interview Sony CEO, Sir Howard Stringer, when stringer let slip that cameras meant for Apple iPhone and iPad would be delayed due to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

Paraphrased: “Our best senor technology is built in one of the (tsunami) affected factories.  Those go to Apple for their iPhones…or iPads.  Isn’t that something?  They buy our best sensors from us?”

Sony doesn’t currently supply iPhone or iPad optics but had been rumored to be supplying iPhone 5 with 8 megapixel sensors. Rumors spread last week of a possible “delay” in iPhone 5 release from the usual summer schedule to a Fall, or possibly later date. If the “delay” (unannounced products can’t be delayed, but internal schedules can be pushed out and historic cycles can be broken) is real, and the Sony image sensor is accurate, could this and potentially other component related problems be part of the reason?

[9to5Mac]

AppleInsider has discovered patent applications showing that Apple may be interested in including dual rear-facing cameras and additional sensors for a new 3D image technology in mobile devices such as the iPhone.

The hardware-based system would be an improvement over recent Android devices that include 3D camera technology due to software that takes “guesses” at how to conduct stereo disparity compensation on 3D images. The more guesses needed to process these images result in loss of quality and artifacts.

Apple’s documented patent, entitled “Systems and Methods for an Imaging System Using Multiple Image Sensors”, would provide higher quality 3D images based on multiple image sensors and hardware processing, eliminating artifacts and other quality issues. The patent also describes 3D video recording capability. (This would require Apple to include a 3D display on the iPhone.)

If Apple were to pack this technology into the iPhone 5 would you actually use it, or are 3D cameras on mobile devices just another gimmick? Let us know in the comments!

[AppleInsider]

TechCrunch has been told that Apple will be integrating system-wide voice control technology into iOS 5 derived from their purchase of Siri last year. Apple is reportedly putting the finishing touches on the feature which will be demoed at WWDC in June.

A year ago, Apple bought Siri, a virtual personal assistant startup that had released a very cool iPhone app. The Siri team and technology are now said to be a big part of iOS 5.

The use of Siri’s artificial intelligence and assistance technology is said to be deeply integrated into the OS for all the different services offered. And the team is now putting the finishing touches on the elements that will be demoed at WWDC, we hear. This tech may also be opened to developers for use in third-party apps – though that information isn’t quite as concrete.

Apple introduced a very basic VoiceControl feature in iOS 3 a couple of years ago, but it doesn’t seem to enjoy widespread use (I hardly ever use it, do you?). The coolest thing you can do is play a song or make a call using your voice — which is nice — but you can’t perform system-wide voice commands like launching an app or carry out a task such as adding a new calendar event. By contrast, Android gained far more integrated, far more useful voice control over a year ago.

We’ve all hoped for better voice integration in iOS for a while now, so this is great news if it turns out to be true. Would you use a SIRI-powered voice control system in iOS?

[TechCrunch]

Boy Genius Report, which has gotten good information on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch software updates in the past, is hearing from their sources that iOS 4.3.1 will be pushed out sometime within the next week or two and will address:

• Baseband updates for the 3GS and iPad (original)
• Fixed memory hang that results in memory corruption when reading large files from USIM filesystem
• Fixed problem with NTLM authentication in apps and on websites
• Fixed issue with the Springboard and 3rd party apps not recgonizing the gyroscope on the iPad 2
• Fixed iPad 2 jailbreak vulnerability

Hopefully it will also fix the lack of Nitro support in full-screen web clips. Anything else you’re hoping gets the bug smasher love in iOS 4.3.1? Verizon iPhone support perhaps?

Getting tired of white iPhone 4 rumors yet? How about white iPhone 4 rumors from analysts? No? Well then AppleInsider is reporting on comments from a securities analyst who claims Apple will begin ramping up production of the white iPhone 4 for a possible release in early April.

Apple is expected to begin production of its long-awaited iPhone 4 sometime this month, with shipments no later than early April, according to one analyst’s checks.

Since analysts are historically about as accurate as a coin toss, take this with a huge grain of salt and expect the white iPhone only when you see it go up for sale on Apple.com or at Apple retail. Or just toss a coin of your own and tell us when you think we’ll see the white iPhone!

[AppleInsider]

BGR is hearing from their sources that Apple might just release iOS 4.3 as early as today. Apple previously announced they’d be releasing iOS 4.3 on Friday alongside iPad 2 so take it with a Cupertino-sized grain of salt, however Apple has staggered release days previously to avoid everyone hitting their servers all at once. If it does come today expect the usual 10am PT/1pm ET start time.

Also, BGR says the reason many GSM carriers like AT&T will have a 3-device personal hotspot limit — as opposed to the Verizon iPhone‘s 5-device limit — is that the default is 3 but Apple will raise it to 5 at a carrier’s request. Guess most haven’t requested that…

Anyone going to be checking for updates today, or do you think we’ll have to wait for Friday?

UPDATE: The Loop says tomorrow is a better bet for early an iOS 4.3 drop. [The Loop]

[BGR]

Could iOS 4.3 beta 3 arrive for developers today? BGR claims their sources say it is so and build 8F5166b no less. There was only a week between beta 1 and beta 2 which is faster than Apple’s usual 2 week pace but there was no new beta last week.

New iOS 4.3 features have included personal hotspot for iPhone 4 and multitasking gestures for iPad (which won’t make it into the final release. Grrrr!)

If Apple’s gone back to the every second week today does seem like a good day to seed beta 3. But if we do indeed get beta 3 today when will iOS 4.3 GM come out and when will it be released? With Verizon iPhone getting iOS 4.2.6 yesterday it doesn’t seem like February 10 is on the table. April with iPad 2 maybe? Sooner? Give me your best guess in the comments and we’ll update as soon as (if) iOS 4.3 goes live!

[BGR]

Parts supplier Global Direct Parts has listings on its site for a replacement LCD screen for the iPad 2 and a vibrating motor. There is not much information on either item however the price of the LCD panel is rather interesting. The iPad 2 LCD is listed at a price of $218.19. When you compare this to the current iPad LCD price on the same site at a cost $69.99, this starts to make you wonder all sorts of things. Higher resolution displays anyone?

The vibrating motor is listed as an OEM Apple iPad Vibrating Motor. The current generation iPad does not have a vibrating motor; unlike the iPhone models which use it for notifications. Thinking away from notifications for a moment, how good would an iPad be for gaming if it had a vibrating motor for feedback in games, similar to the PlayStation and Xbox controllers?

Of course this could all turn out to be link bait, but it is fun speculating on the future iPad 2 feature set. What do you think? Let us know in the comments!

[GlobalDirectParts via MacRumors]

Despite massive press conferences and announcements here at CES, Verizon has gone ahead and scheduled a surprise media event in New York for next week — which immediately launches yet another round of Verizon iPhone speculation.

UPDATE: Based on the guest list, the answer is yes. Mark your calendars folks, looks like come January, 11, 2011 the Verizon iPhone is a go.

UPDATE 2: Both WSJ and All things D are claiming it’s confirmed — Verizon iPone event.

[Engadget, Ars]

According to an anonymous Chinese source, iPad 2 will be slightly smaller, but will retain the 9.7” LCD panel. This basically means that Apple has reduced the size of the bezel surrounding the screen to decrease the overall size. The source claims the new dimensions will be 238mm x 186mm against 242.8mm x 189.7mm dimensions of the current iPad. The rear of the iPad 2 will also be flatter and similar in styling to the latest iPod Touch.

There was more excitement a few weeks ago, after a case supplier allegedly leaked some information on iPad 2, suggesting that a USB or SD Card slot may be included. This new rumor however puts paid to that idea by suggesting that the slot is actually for a wide-ranged speaker for improved audio quality.

The final part of the rumor suggests that the ALS (Ambient Light Sensor) has been moved to a new position at the top centre of the rear panel and has also been reduced in size to 3mm.

Apple did take some heat for the thickness of the bezel surrounding the screen on the first iPad, so making it smaller on iPad 2 does make a lot of sense. Improved audio quality is also important for a media centric device so these rumors, while not ground breaking, may turn out to be spot on. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

[Macotakara]

Digitimes is claiming that the Foxconn Electronics plant in Shenzhen will start shipping iPad 2 in 100 days. They claim initial shipments should reach 400,000 – 600,000 units. The rumor comes from Taiwan based component makers but has not been confirmed in any way by Foxconn.

The sources claim that the iPad 2 will ship by the end of February 2011. Apple had planned to start mass manufacturing of the iPad 2 in January however the device’s firmware is still in the testing stage and this has now been delayed by Apple.

Apple tend to keep device releases to a set yearly schedule. We know the iPhone tends to be released in June, new iPod devices in September and if last year is a basis, iPad 2 would be released in April. This would give Apple plenty of time to build up a substantial inventory to satisfy what will surely be a huge demand.

This time we will see current iPad users upgrading to more advanced hardware as well as others potential users who have held off buying the first generation iPad, finally taking the plunge.

We’ve already begun to imagine what new features iPad 2 will boast. I’m expecting an announcement in January, I can’t wait, what about you?

[Digitimes]

We have all heard the rumors of the iPhone going to Verizon in early 2011 but today we are hearing word from Analyst Shaw Wu with Kaufman Bros., that Verizon is not only interested in obtaining Apple’s widely popular iPhone but they may be willing to pay a price to keep it out of the hands of Sprint and T-Mobile.

We are hearing that (Verizon) does not want iPhone, the hottest selling smartphone, available on T-Mobile USA and/or Sprint and may be willing to pay for exclusivity to itself and AT&T,” Wu wrote. “For these reasons, (Verizon) could be more willing to give in to Apple’s terms.

Wu also told investors that Google’s Android operating system has begun to lose some of its luster with Verizon and gaining a device like the iPhone could greatly increase subscribers on their network.

If true it seems as if it just creates the same situation we are in now in the U.S. except we will have one other option. What do you think about Verizon possibly being willing to pay to keep the iPhone off of the Sprint and T-Mobile networks?

[ AppleInsider ]

There are a couple stories floating around the web tonight involving iOS 4.2 and it’s release date, with the usually reliable iPhoneHellas saying simply that it will arrive next Tuesday, November 16, and MacStories adding that it’s actually been pushed back to the 16th due to iPad Wi-Fi bugs and a new GM candidate will precede it.

For their part Apple has only ever said “November” when it comes to the iOS 4.2 release schedule.

Could next Tuesday be the day? If so, was it always scheduled to be the day or is it really a delay?

[iPhoneHellas, MacRumors, MacStories, thanks to everyone who sent these in!]

9to5mac have reported that Apple were filming ads for the next generation iPad as early as last month. The ads were reportedly shot at New York’s Pier 59 by David Sims, a British photographer.

Current generation iPads were used at the shooting of the ads and will be swapped out for the new model in post production. (So no FaceTime then?) A participant at the shooting, said that there were no new products on scene, and that everyone had to sign non-disclosure agreements.

At this point, about the only thing we can confirm is that the new iPad 2′s will probably be the same size as the current generation iPads.

We’re expecting to see Apple announce the next-gen iPads in early 2011, so we’ll have to wait till then to see these ads.

9to5mac

CultofMac has received a tip from an anonymous source that claims Apple might be getting ready to go all in on near-field communication (NFC), with next June’s iPhone 5 potentially leading the way:

“The Mac authenticates with the iPhone, which contains a lot of the information the computer needs, such as bookmarks, passwords and other data,” said our source, who asked to remain anonymous. “The system would essentially turn any Apple computer into your own — like you’re actually working on your own computer. Same settings, look, bookmarks, preferences. It would all be invisible. Your iPhone would be all you needed to unlock your Mac….Address book would show their contacts, and the user would have full access to their information in the same manner they would if they were working from home. This same behavior extends to even showing the same desktop picture, mouse and keyboard settings, and would eventually extend to software licenses and passwords for websites such as Facebook….When a person walks away with their iPhone and away from the communication link with the Mac, the original settings of the Mac would be restored. All communications and storage of passwords stays on the user’s iPhone, leaving nothing stored on the computer….This functionality is extended to access a user’s home folder, which will be stored and accessed either through storage on MobileMe or by using the Back to My Mac feature to connect to the user’s home folder.”

The source also states that this technology has been toyed with by Apple for quite a while and it may never see the light of day. They also note that transfer speeds are not that great, and may depend on wifi or bluetooth after the initial handshake with the device.

NFC technology has been picking up speed in Asia but has yet to really see the light of day in the US. Lenovo offers this option in a few of their ThinkPads but NFC has yet to gain a foothold. If Apple adopts it, that may change.

NFC basically allows users to utilize their device as an electronic passport. Your iPhone would store your personal settings, bookmarks, keychain passwords, and desktop settings. When you’re in range of an NFC compatible Mac or other device, it could essentially turn that Mac into your desktop. Similar to remote desktop. The difference is that you don’t have to initiate a login or store local data. If you walk out of range of the Mac or NFC compatible device, your information would no longer be accessible. The device would simply go back to its previous state and no traces of your information would be stores locally on the Mac or device.

Is this a feature you guys think would be useful to you?

[via CultofMac]

Barron’s is reporting that OmniVision will supply the CMOS sensors for two cameras in the next generation iPad 2 — a 5MP camera on the back and a VGA quality camera on the front.

OmniVision (OVTI) will supply CMOS image sensors for a second-generation Apple (AAPL) iPad that will launch in the calendar first quarter of 2011

A second generation iPad 2 would most likely be introduced early 2011, perhaps in April like the original. With cameras would come FaceTime support. Now that Apple has opened up FaceTime to the iPod touch and Mac, we could be looking at a huge surge related to mobile video calling.

In addition, Barron’s went on to suggest that the iPhone could sell up to 23 million units within Q1 2011 based on build orders, and pointed to the increasingly likely Verizon iPhone selling over 6m units alone. This could make the 14.1 million iPhone units last quarter seem rather puny by comparison.

So what about you, do you see yourself using FaceTime on the iPad once the next revision hits the streets? Let us know what you think in the comments!

[Barron's]

by Andrew Wray

Is Apple about to take carrier disintermediation to the next level by contracting their own, built-in SIM card for future iPhones? GigaOm thinks so:

Sources inside European carriers have reported that Apple has been working with SIM-card manufacturer Gemalto to create a special SIM card that would allow consumers in Europe to buy a phone via the web or at the Apple Store and get the phones working using Apple’s App Store.

Right now, even with unlocked iPhones and iPads, you still need to get a carrier-specific SIM card. If the SIM were embedded, however, that’s one less carrier interaction to worry about. The entire process could be shifted to the device, much as plan management is already done on the iPad.

The Gemalto SIM, according to my sources, is embedded in a chip that has an upgradeable flash component and a ROM area. The ROM area contains data provided by Gemalto with everything related to IT and network security, except for the carrier-related information. The flash component will receive the carrier related data via a local connection which could be the PC or a dedicated device, so it can be activated on the network. Gemalto will provide the back-end infrastructure that allows service and number provisioning on the carrier network.

Would it present a problem for multi-device power users accustomed to swapping SIMs between iPhone, Android, webOS, and other handsets? Hopefully not. They’d still have to get a SIM from their carrier, same as now. They just wouldn’t have to worry about swapping their iPhone anymore.

What do yo think? Want?

[GigaOM]

Is Apple finally (or once again) working on a music subscription service like Napster, Rhapsody, and Zune Pass? The New York Post thinks so:

Apple is talking with the major record labels about a subscription music service that would give customers unlimited access to songs for a monthly fee, sources told The Post.

One source said the service could have tiered pricing ranging from $10 to $15, although there are issues to be ironed out, including how much music would be included in each tier and how long consumers would be able to access that content.

The labels are rumored to be supportive of the idea, or of any idea that will jumpstart sagging music sales.

And yes, it’s ironic we’re running this story right after the rumor about Apple potentially trying to block rival service Spotify, entering the US…

[New Your Post]

Bloomberg is reporting on the claims of a Japanese tabloid magazine SPA! saying that the Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, was stopped back in July by airport security at the Kansai International Airport in Japan. Jobs was reportedly trying to transport Ninja throwing stars onto his private plane before heading back to the United States from his family vacation.

“A security scan at Kansai International Airport, near Osaka, detected the weapons inside the executive’s carry-on luggage in July as he was returning home to the U.S. from a family vacation in Kyoto, the Japanese magazine reported, citing unidentified officials at the airport and the transportation ministry. Jobs said it wouldn’t make sense for a person to try to hijack his own plane, according to the report. He then told officials he would never visit Japan again, the magazine reported. Apple declined to comment.”

An airport spokesperson did confirm that a similar incident did take place at the end of July but would not name the persons involved. They did state that the passenger did discard the throwing stars and noted that both private and public passengers are subject to the same security measures throughout the airport.

UPDATE: Apple has responded:

“Steve did visit Japan this summer for a vacation in Kyoto, but the incidents described at the airport are pure fiction. Steve had a great time and hopes to visit Japan again soon.”

[Bloomberg, response via Digital Daily]

iPad 2 with FaceTime video calling is coming ahead of schedule according to Apple Insider who cite “a person with proven knowledge of Apple’s future product plans”. They say Q1 of next year, but perhaps as soon as before the holiday season.

Q1 2011 wouldn’t really be ahead of schedule, however, as that’s pretty much when we expect them. (iPad was announced at the beginning of Q1 2010 and shipped just after the end of Q1, not a huge difference). Before the holidays of this year, however, would be a change.

If that’s the plan, they’ll have to announce it soon. Apple typically locks holiday lineups in early to get ahead of the sales cycle. With iOS 4.2 for iPad scheduled for November, it would seem to further tighten up the timeline. Then again, we’ve heard the same rumor about iPhones going on how many years now?

Interestingly:

It’s also believed that Apple may striving to embed FaceTime within its entire mobile arsenal before making good on a promissory to open up the standard to the rest of the world, thereby mitigating the market opportunity for rival tablet devices that could incorporate the technology.

As reader Dev keeps telling us:

FaceTime had been submitted to a standards body as an informational draft, but it is still 100% under Apple’s control, and, as Apple has never announced any plans to share control with that standards body, FaceTime is not open in the sense of, say, HTML, but more along the lines of the Flash runtime, in that others can implement, but not contribute. (I am not saying Flash is open, just that it is a mistake to refer to FaceTime as open when the protocol is solely under the control of one company.)

Pushing FaceTime throughout iOS would be great. Pushing it to Windows and Mac would be fantastic. Pushing it out as a completed open standard that anyone else, from Google to Palm to Microsoft to Nokia to BlackBerry and back are implementing would dent at least our small corner of the universe.

At least until multi-person FacesTime calls come next year…

[AppleInsider]

Chad says we buried the lede: Bloomberg also claims Apple’s annual special music — and this time TV — event will be held September 7. That’s not official, of course. We’ll only know for sure when Apple sends out the invitations.

Remember those rumors of $0.99 iTunes TV show rentals? They’re back. This time with word that FOX-owner Newcorp is in “advanced talks” over the service. CBS and Disney (which has Steve Jobs as their largest share holder) are also rumored to be involved.

Rentals would last 48hrs and would bring even more content to the newly launched iPad and iPhone 4, and upcoming iPod touch 4 and… iOS Apple TV/iTV?

According to Bloomberg Apple originally wanted to offer subscription a la carte TV, which failed due to networks not wanting to put their relationships with cable companies in jeopardy. (Sigh).

While a la cart TV exists outside the US (I pay $20 for 20 a la carte channels on my provider) it hasn’t been adopted by existing American providers. Would $0.99 rentals be a good alternative? Just one show a day would average $30 a month, so even if it’s a step in the right direction, it’s a tiny little hesitant one. And it doesn’t even begin to address live sporting events.

In an ideal world iTunes and iOS would be a complete, non-linear, on-demand TV replacement. Absent that, are individual ABC, Hulu +, and MLB apps are better solution? Or do we really have to wait for the dinosaurs of old media to become extinct simply so that consumers can pay them to watch what we want, when we want, and where we want?

[Bloomberg]

Boy Genius has a source that informed him both the CDMA/Verizon iPhone 4 (code named N92AP) and iPad 2 may be heading into field verification testing:

Way down deep within iOS 4 is a pretty intriguing block of code. Our source says that the code queries the device, and if the device is either a CDMA iPhone or iPad 2, the device will auto-activate, thus bypassing the need for iTunes. We’re told this block of code has appeared every year consecutively before a major iPhone / device release, removed right before launch. This allows the products to be field tested by carriers (or partners) without having to activate the handsets or devices.

BG also says the upcoming iPod touch 4 is code-named N81AP. We should see that this fall at Apple’s annual special music event for iPod/iTunes. iPad 2 should be announced early next year, and rumor has it the CDMA/Verizon iPhone might hit during the same period.

Anyone starting to believe that yet?

[BGR]

There’s a rumor — repeat, rumor — going around that Apple will switch the Apple TV to iOS and rename it iTV, and that seems to be enough to get British broadcaster ITV all dressed and wigged up in litigation clothes.

“You only have to look at recent problems with the iPhone 4 to see not everything Apple produces is gold dust. We all take our ITV brand very seriously and we’ll do everything in our power to protect it.”

Ouch. Meow.

Apple for their part is staying mum:

“Apple does not comment on rumours and speculation.”

We’ve seen Apple take iPhone and iOS from Cisco and work out licensing deals later. Could iTV be next and this saber-rattling just a way to tell Apple they better open up that Cupertino vault?

[Mirror, thanks to everyone who sent it in!]

The Street is claiming that the reason Apple has delayed the white iPhone 4 until “later this year” is due to light leaking around the edges of the glass. This according to the ever popular “person familiar with”, in this case the manufacturing process.

As the source described it, if it were a metal or plastic material, a simple coating would fill in the gaps and block the internal light. Glass is an entirely different issue.

Take this with a white iPhone 4-sized grain of salt, of course.

[TheStreet]

iPhoneHellas.gr is claiming they’ve heard Apple will release iOS 4 later today. They’ve gotten that kind of stuff right before, and Apple does have an iPhone 4 press conference scheduled for tomorrow, so the timing would make some sense. iOS 4.0.1 being released would mean the changes to the way bars are shown and reported in the developer beta for iOS 4.1 would be public and could be stated as such by Apple.

It would be a couple weeks earlier than Apple’s usual end of July/beginning of August iOS x.0.1 update cycle, but likely welcome by those suffering proximity sensor issues and other iOS 4 bugs.

Ping us if you’re iTunes catches an update.

[iPhoneHellas.gr via MacRumors]

So much for those reports claiming Verizon was not interested in the iPhone as Bloomberg is now reporting the iPhone is indeed heading towards the carrier in January of 2011. The timing seems a bit odd to release such a device as iPhone 4 right after the holiday shopping season. Then again this timing may have been necessary as it may be exactly when AT&T’s exclusivity agreement with Apple runs dry.

They are basing this latest Verizon rumor on information obtained from two separate sources that claim to be familiar with the rollout plans. All of these back and forth conflicting rumors have been entertaining to say the least but have also gotten old really quickly. Both Verizon and Apple declined to comment.

Any of you sending back your AT&T iPhone 4 to wait for this mysterious Verizon version? Sound off in the comments below!

[Bloomberg]

Apple Insider is reporting that, before being removed, a thread in the Apple Discussion Forums confirmed iOS 4.0.1 was being readied for release next week to address bugs — including the dreaded antenna “hold different” issue (or “death-grip” if you prefer).

iOS (iPhone) 3.0.1 was released July 31, 2009. 2.0.1 was August 4, 2008. 1.0.1 was was July 31, 2007. So next week for 4.0.1?

If real, that’s good news in that 1) Apple is moving quickly and 2) the reception problem is software related, which means its much easer to fix.

Meanwhile the New York Times Bits blog has a theory as to why Apple didn’t discover this problem before the iPhone shipped – at Apple HQ the signal was strong, and when it was taken outside HQ for test, it was in that case that disguised it as an iPhone 3GS — and insulated the antenna. Ironic much?

So in the spirit of hope we’re keeping our eyes — and mouse-clicks — peeled for updates… You?

[Apple Insider, NYT Blogs]

Maybe, just maybe, these pesky iPhone 4 on Verizon rumors will finally fade away as Droid Life reports they’re fully committed to Android and their current high-end lineup of devices like the new Droid X.

“And the second part of the meeting (and most important to us) was to announce that they will not be interested in the iPhone 4 (as of now) and are putting full effort behind Android and the new lineup of Droid devices.”

In case you were wondering, the first part of the meeting was about a advertising adjustment where the “Wireless” tag is removed from “Verizon Wireless” but we just care about the iPhone part.

Personally I’ve felt since the release of the Motorola Droid last year that it was pretty evident Verizon was standing firm behind the (more controllable?) Android platform and it would be a long while before any iPhone landed on the carrier.

Rene on the other hand feels Verizon is using a bit of reverse phycology in order to get customers to stop waiting for iPhone and start buying Droids. Now if Droid Life is correct, that would mean all of those CDMA iPhones would be headed to Sprint right? You have to love rumors.

You be the judge, has Verizon really given up on the iPhone? Sound off in the comments!

[Droid Life]

Digitimes is once again baiting links with CDMA (read Verizon) rumors, this time hot on the heels of the all new iPhone 4:

Pegatron [Technology] will also start shipping a CDMA version of the iPhone 4 to Apple in the fourth quarter and is currently using its plants in Shanghai, China to produce the products, the sources noted. The company is also working on gaining orders for MacBooks and iPads from Apple, added the sources.

This comes just in advance of June 24 Taiwan Stock Exchange listing, so forgive me if I take it with a huge grain of salt.

Again, there’s certainly a CMDA iPhone 4 in the Cupertino labs, but AT&T exclusivity has to run out and Verizon has to give up control to Apple and make the deal — which means it could happen at any time, or in a long time. And again, we expect it — and will believe it — only when Apple announces it. Same goes for iPhone 4 on Sprint, or Chinese CDMA.

Have to ask the question, though — if a Verizon iPhone 4 does land in 2010, who’ll be less happy, people with poor service who just re-upped with AT&T or people who gave up on iPhone and just bought Droid 2/Droid X?

We now return you to your regularly scheduled GSM/UTMS day…

[Digitimes]

According to one of BRG’s “highly placed” sources, Verizon Wireless is currently testing CDMA-compatible iPads. Their source even went one step further and mentioned LTE with another possible iPad model though that could not be confirmed.

So with all of the Verizon rumors flying around as of late it looks as if we will see both the iPad and iPhone in the hands of Big Red faithful sooner or later.

Is anyone out there regretting picking up a AT&T compatible iPad right about now?

[BGR]

If you are looking for even more next-gen iPhone hype you’ve found it as BGR has learned that AT&T currently may be preparing for the arrival of a new Apple device.

“AT&T has started to send engineers out to corporate store locations to try and plan / start setting up a “new kind of display.”

While the likelihood of this display being for the new iPhone it may be possible that AT&T is prepping to finally sell iPads in their corporate stores. What do you think? Sound off in the comments below!

[BGR]

Multiple sources are claiming Apple is either going to replace Google as default search with Microsoft’s Bing in iPhone OS 4, or at least integrate Bing into the search picture.

Look, it’s just over a week until WWDC 2010 and the rumors are just going to get crazier, okay? Apple and Google have been on increasingly shaky ground as of late, with some silly comments by Google during their I/O event probably not helping matters. Whether or not this proves to be true, or any of the parties chooses to comment or dispel the rumor like Microsoft did the Visual Studio for iPhone/iPad/Mac rumor from a couple days ago, we’ll just have to wait and see.

And hey, Bing powers Yahoo! which is already a search option, so if that becomes Bing in name as well, and even if it’s default, it’s hard to see Apple eliminating Google as a user-assignable option anyway, so for diehard Googlers it will just be one annoying settings switch away.

Real, fake, really fake, let us know what you think!

[BusinessWeek, TechCrunch. Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Rumor has it Apple could be increasing their Facebook integration for iPhone OS 4, perhaps to include contact sync and messaging support for end users and Facebook Connect for developers.

Apple’s relationship with social networks has been tentative at best, with Mac OS X 10.6 and iPhoto 09 offering rudimentary integration for things like photo tags. The Facebook app on the iPhone has done some contact syncing (initially with funny to off-putting results), but nothing thus far as hinted at Palm webOS or Microsoft Kin level integration.

Business Insider cites only a “source”, and coming as it does with Facebook once again in the eye of the user-privacy storm, it’s sure to be met with mixed reaction. Here’s why it might just happen:

Some 34.2 million people were “active users” of the Facebook iPhone app in the last month, according to Facebook. That’s about a little more than a third of all the iPhone OS devices — iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad — out there. And it’s almost 10% of Facebook’s 400 million users.

It’s one of the rare instances where Apple is way behind the consumer curve. They don’t “get” social media (perhaps their hyper-secretive corporate culture doesn’t allow them to) but they’re slowly and painfully realizing that if they don’t do something, they lose an element of user tie-in, and Apple certainly “gets” user tie-in.

[Business Insider]

There’s a rumor making the rounds that Apple’s MobileMe service could be going free “sooner than later… depends on certain facilities going operational.” (Perhaps a reference to the massive server facility Apple’s building in North Carolina.)

Introduced alongside iPhone 2.0 at WWDC 2008 to replace the previous .Mac, the current price tag is $99 for a single user and provides push email, calendar, contacts, iDisk, Galleries, and Find my iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for mobile users along with Back to my Mac remote file access and screen sharing, iChat accounts, and a host of sync services for Mac users. It’s enjoyed almost entirely incremental updates since then.

Competitors ranging from Google and Microsoft down to DropBox and Box.net offer similar services in whole or in part, and are either free or have basic levels that are free with optional payments for more storage or other premium services. And it’s very hard to compete with free.

It makes a lot of sense — from where we’re sitting at least — for Apple to adopt the same model. Give everyone the basic email, calendar, contacts, iDisk (though we’d prefer you just rip and replace it with DropBox), etc. for free, give the option to pay for advanced/high capacity services for those who want them.

And, hey, if that iPhone HD/iPhone 4G just happens to ship with a front-facing camera, and the new free version of MobileMe just happens to come with Mobile iChat video accounts, maybe iPhone owners will finally have something that makes BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) users jealous…

Again, just a rumor so keep renewing your MobileMe until Steve Jobs or Phil Schiller tells you it’s going free and Apple sends you a credit.

[MacDailyNews via TUAW]

One of BGR‘s connects dug around in the iPad file system and once again found confirmation of what we all pretty much take for granted now — 4th generation iPhone, 4th generation iPod touch, and even 2nd generation iPad models are coming our way!

As a reminder, Apple users a major,minor version number system. So iPhone 2G was 1,1, iPhone 3G was 1,2, and iPhone 3GS was 2,1. Big jumps equal big hardware (i.e. non-cosmetic) changes, and that looks like what we’re getting:

• iPhone 3,1
• iPhone 3,2
• iPhone 3,3

Why three new models for the 4th generation iPhone (not iPhone 4G)? We have no idea, but we’ll guess GSM this summer, and could the others be Chinese CDMA, and maybe US CDMA (no Verizon rumors. Stop it!)

• iPod 4,1

4th generation iPod touch, likely this September.

• iProd 2,1

iPad was originally iProd 1,1 so it looks like Apple’s already got the 2nd generation iPad in the labs for March 2011.

(What IFPGA is we still have no idea).

According to the gadget website T3, Microsoft Senior Product Manager Mike Tedesco recently let it be known that the Seattle based company is currently toying with the possibility of creating a version of their Office suite for Apple’s iPad.

“Yeah, it’s something that we’re looking at,” said Microsoft’s Mike Tedesco, who is the Senior Product Manager for WindowsBU. “Obviously the announcement (of the iPad) is really fresh and there’s nothing to announce or nothing that I can talk to you about today. We’ve had tablet technology forever and both Windows 7 and Windows Vista automatically detect that and you can be running your Office on there.”

This is great news as it is has the ability to attract a huge sector of business users to the iPad. Perhaps this is just a sign of things to come between Apple and Microsoft. We first heard the rumor of the two companies trying to oust Google by making Bing the default search engine on iPhone. Now we learn Microsoft is interested in Office on iPad and what’s next, Office on iPhone?

[Via MacRumors via T3]

Above is a image that is claimed to belong to the upcoming 4th generation iPhone, courtesy of iPhone repair Web site iResQ. As iResQ points out, there are a few interesting things that stand out in the photo.

• “The LCD appears to be factory glued to the digitizer which is more similar to the first generation iPhones than the iPhone 3G and 3GS. The digitizer can be separated from the LCD on the 3G and 3GS models, which should be interesting to all, but for the repair folks like us–this means that the 4G screen repair price will be higher since both parts will have to be replaced at once.”
• “The iPhone 4G front panel seems to be about 1/4″ longer than its predecessors.”
• “There is an interesting reflective, mirror-like surface directly above the speaker. This is likely a spot for the proximity sensor. If that’s what is is, it’s in a different location than previous models.”

Here at TiPb we are hoping for something more drastic in terms of design changes but based on these latest images it’s hard to tell if the “A+” upgrade Steve Jobs promised will hold true. These images may turn out to be bogus or simply be scrapped before the final product is put together. We’ve seen it happen before with the matte backing.

We are willing to give Jobs the benefit of the doubt on his A+ upgrade for the time being, how about you?

One more image after the break!

[Via Apple Insider]

Like horrible holiday movie sequels, iPod touch camera rumors just keep getting spit out the mill with the same tired old plots and ever weaker impact. This time, the Examiner claims an “inside source” who claims that the iPod touch with camera was delayed last year from quality assurance reasons, but will return this spring with an iPod nano-like video recording capability.

Our take? Yeah, the camera was bumped from last year’s iPod touch G3, but Apple likes its product cycles so we probably won’t see a camera again until the iPod touch G4 is introduced in September 2010 (and we surely hope it’s not the low-res, video-only nano camera by then either — not on the flagship device, no sir!)

[Examiner via 9to5Mac]