Apple looks set to increase the next generation iPhone’s screen size to at least 4-inches according to information coming from people familiar with the situation. According to the sources, Apple has already placed orders for the larger screens from its Asian suppliers and they are bigger than the screens used on the current iPhone.

Production is set to begin next month for the screens, which measure at least 4 inches diagonally compared with 3.5 inches on the iPhone 4S, the latest phone from Apple, the people said.

The rumor states Apple has ordered the larger screens from multiple suppliers, LG, Sharp and Japan Display Inc. Production of the next iPhone is scheduled to start in June with it becoming available at a similar time to last year; sometime in October. We have already heard that Apple is slowing down production of the iPhone 4S in anticipation of the new model iPhone.

The latest rumor does line up with what we heard at the end of last week, namely that if the screen does indeed increase, it would be to a maximum of 4-inches but no larger. We heard Apple hadn't yet decided on a final design, but given both The Wall Street Journal and Reuters are reporting the 4-inch screen size today, that decision could now have been made.

If accurate, several questions remain. Will Apple reduce the size of the current iPhone bezel to allow for a bigger screen, or increase the size of the phone itself, or a bit of both? There's also nothing in these rumors that suggest an aspect ratio change from the current 2:3 to something closer to 16:9, which some other rumors have suggested. That kind of change would be far more problematic for developers than a simple increase in scale.

It would, however, reduce the density of what Apple's has marketed at the Retina display from 326 ppi of the current iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 to 288, which is only slightly better than the new iPad's 264. Not only would buttons and other touch targets be physically bigger, its possible the pixels would once again be visible as well.

The alternative, to increase the amount of pixels, would force old apps to be letterboxed (like iPhone apps are on the iPad), and open the door for the creation of "bigger" apps that wouldn't really work on older iPhones. That's a level of fragmentation Apple hasn't been willing to allow thus far.

Until more information surfaces, or until Phil Schiller holds one up on an Apple event stage, we'll simply have to wait and see.

What's you preference?

Source: WSJ, Reuters

Crunchy Logistics has demonstrated its latest innovation designed for the iPad, the Padzilla Too Interactive Case which lets you use your new iPad together with a Microsoft Kinect and a huge high definition display.

This is the largest interactive reproduction of an iPad in the world spanning 24 feet wide and 12 feet tall. The giant iPad display is constructed through the newest 3.5mm LED wall matrix display technology. 3.5mm is the thinnest LED separation currently possible for this type of LED matrix display which increases pixel density to possible “Retina” display quality at typical viewing distances. Padzilla now enables the user to interact on a large scale from a multitouch reproduction platform and is now multi-input gesture capable. This gives a great deal of flexibility on an already popular platform with thousands of apps for entertainment and business presentation purposes.

However, it would be a very impressive presentation tool or interactive advertising billboard. Of course if moneys no object, it could also be a way to impress all of your friends when you fire up a game of Fruit Ninja on that huge screen!

Source: Crunchy Logistics

Randomly accurate rumor site Digitimes is once again beating the drum on rumors they spurred up back in May about Apple prepping a curved-glass design across iOS devices including the iPhone 6 for 2012.

Apple reportedly also has bought glass polishing equipment for its suppliers in preparation for the production of devices fitted with curved cover glass. Lens Technology, Fuji Crystal, G-Tech are said to be major cover glass suppliers of Apple. While Lens and Fuji focus on iPhones, G-Tech supplies mainly for iPad

As always with rumors from Digitimes we urge you to take this with a 3.5-inch grain of salt. Apple supposedly purchased upwards of 300 glass cutting machines earlier in the year that they've stored in warehouses until production yield rates meet their requirements, and glass makers have had a hard time entertaining the idea of producing curved glass for Apple because of capital costs.

We'll have to wait until next year before we see if Apple pushes out an iPhone with a curved-glass display... or if they're just using them for all the windows on their new mothership HQ.

Source: Digitimes

Unwire.HK has uncovered a few pictures today that are supposedly from a screen protector for the upcoming iPhone 5. The screen protector, if real, shows an elongated opening for the home button as well as a much larger screen size for the new iPhone model compared to the current iPhone 4.

We have seen quite a few case leaks recently which supposedly showed the rear of the iPhone 5 and a few months back there was an alleged iPhone 5 case which does appear to match up with this screen protector. It also showed an elongated opening for the home button which may be for a capacitive touch area rather than a physical button.

The screen size also appears to be larger when compared with an iPhone 4. It is believed however that all of these case and screen protector leaks are based on one particular source of design information; so they may all be wrong or of course, they may all be right. Until Apple announces the iPhone 5, we will just have to wait and see!

UPDATE: This post was originally published with the watermarks removed from the original images. That's simply not how TiPb does business. We'll figure out how it happened and make sure it doesn't happen again. Our apologies to Unwire.hk, we deeply regret the error. (Thanks to stupidapplerumors.com for the head's up!)

[Unwire.HK via MacRumors]

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]

A supposed image of an iPhone 5 part has appeared on Chinese reseller’s website. The image in question looks like the digitizer panel for the iPhone 5. The design is similar to the one used on the current iPhone 4 however it appears to have a larger screen. These assumptions however are not scientific as no measurements have been released with the image.

The main point to note, if indeed this turns out to be a real iPhone 5 part, is the much thinner bezel on the sides. This would correlate with previous rumors that the iPhone 5 would have a screen right up to the edge of the device. This would allow Apple to increase the size of the screen without increasing the devices overall dimensions dramatically. Other rumored specs include a processor bump up to the A5, a tapered rear panel and of course a retina display.

We don’t know if this is a real image but the same source claims more part images will be released very soon; either way it is nice to have some iPhone 5 rumors instead of all the recent iPad 2 leaks!

What do you want to see in the iPhone 5? Let us know in the comments!

[9 to 5 Mac]

Apple has posted a job advertisement for a new position within the company that leads us to believe that it could be planning on making a full blown TV set. The job position entails working on power supply technology but specifically mentions displays and TV's as separate products.

Apple already has a line of LED displays, so it is not that far-fetched to think that this could well be the next venture for Apple. Apple will never allow other TV manufacturers to integrate the Apple TV into their sets, so this could well be the future vision. You can already buy TV sets with integrated Google TV, Windows Media Center and other solutions. It would make sense for Apple to go this way too and eliminate another box, power supply and HDMI cable from behind the TV.

Of course this is pure speculation at this stage and it may just be referring to the current Apple TV; either way it is an interesting prospect.

Would you buy a high quality Apple TV set with an integrated Apple TV? Let us know in the comments!

[9 to 5 Mac]

It looks like our good friends over at 9 To 5 Mac and iFixYouri have managed to get their hands on what might just be an iPad 2 display fresh from the assembly lines in China. According to them, the display is lighter as well as just over a 1 mm thinner than the current generation iPad display. The frame around the screen is also noticeably smaller as well.This seems to make sense as all of Apple's products have been getting smaller and thinner recently, and reducing the iPad's weight would be a huge plus.

The part number (LP097X02-SLN1) appears to be an LG Phillips 9.7in XGA 1024×768 H-IPS display, which is the same resolution as the current iPad. This matches up with theories that it's still too expensive to go to a 2x 2048x1536 Retina Display this year, and it's a non-starter for developers to go 1.5x or anything in between.

Check out some candid shots of both displays after the break and let us know -- would you be happy with this display in iPad 2?

[ 9 To 5 Mac ]

Apple's iPhone 4 IPS LCD Retina Display has pulled out a big win over Super AMOLED displays used in Samsung Galaxy S and other Android devices for best mobile display in existence today. This comes to us from DisplayMate.com.

"Since its introduction the iPhone has been one of the wonders of the modern tech world for many reasons – but its display was never one of them – up until the iPhone 4, where it finally got the display it deserved. The iPhone 4 display, nicknamed the Retina Display, is an outstanding “Super” LCD delivering top performance in many of our test categories – it has the brightest and sharpest display, but on the other hand its color gamut is too small, producing under saturated somewhat washed-out colors, and its image contrast is too high, which produces punchier images and also partially compensates for its smaller color gamut. These were most likely intentional tradeoffs made by Apple to increase screen brightness, power efficiency and battery run time. None-the-less the iPhone 4 earned our Best Mobile Display Award in the DisplayMate Best Video Hardware Guide. We include a dedicated comparison with the iPhone 3GS below. “Retina Display” is a great marketing name, and it is the sharpest smartphone display available, but quantitatively it is a factor of two lower than the acuity of the human Retina. Click here for a discussion on the Retina Display. Finally, Part II of this series will discuss some major flaws in the iPhone 4’s Automatic Brightness control, which hopefully will be corrected in the near future through a software update."

For the full in depth analysis and test results be sure to hit up the link below and make sure you have quite a bit of free to time as you will need it.

[DisplayMate via Daring Fireball]

IDG News has translated a Economic Daily News report that is claiming that we should expect a 7" iPad by Christmas of this year.

"The Economic Daily reports that Taiwanese companies have won a number of component contracts for the iPad 2. Chimei Innolux will supply 7-inch LCD screens, which use the same IPS (in-plane switching) technology found in the original iPad, which improves viewing angles and color on LCD screens. Touchscreen technology for the screens will come from Cando Corporation, the report says."

This is not the first we've heard of a 7" iPad as earlier this month iLounge was reporting that a 7" screened version is substantially finished and will be ready for a announcement either later this year or early in 2011.

So are any of our readers ready to lay down their hard-earned cash on a 7" iPad this holiday season?

[Mac Rumors]

Once again it looks like Apple might get some heat for something that it doesn't control -- namely the supply of iPad screens which LG now warns are constrained to the point international roll-outs might need to be delayed.

Given how much Apple does on their own, we sometimes forget they're still at the mercy of other companies -- even competing companies -- when it comes to components, like LG for screens, and Samsung for chips.

Apple delayed their second wave of iPad launches by a month last May, and has just entered several more countries this weekend, but high demand and low screen supply seems to be something they can't get passed. Even if they kick things into high gear, LG CEO Kwon Young-Soo warns, they won't be able to meet demand until 2011.

[Reuters via Engadget, thanks Doug!]

I have a hairline scratch on the screen of my iPhone 4 and I have no idea how it got there. I've had my iPhone for just over 24 hours and I'd like to think I've treated the little girl pretty well - it goes in my pocket, sure, but solo. I also have been using the bumper for most of the time. However, the bumper has been on and off and at some point I must have set it face down on a table with a bit of grit or something underneath there.

In other words, the phone has a small scratch from what I would definitely call "normal use."

It's a tiny, hardly noticable scratch. With the screen on, it's invisible - but it's there and I can feel it. I've preordered the Case-Mate Clear Armor Screen Protector for iPhone 4 and am trying not to let the scratch on my shiny iPhone 4 become a scratch on my mind.

After the break, a slightly photoshopped version (just over-sharpened, really, to better show the hairline scratch.)

iFixit claimed the front display on Apple's new iPhone 4 was protected by Corning's Gorilla Glass, but Engadget's review unit is already showing scratches on the back side. Was it an earlier test unit not up to release unit standards? Is the Gorilla Glass only on the front and not the back? Is Gorilla Glass not as scratch resistant as we thought? Is it not really Gorilla Glass at all?

Engadget did get a little rough with their iPhone 4 review unit, but no doubt so will users. And the front seems to be holding up fine.

Credit where it's due -- Georgia was worried about that glass Oreo design in general the moment she saw it. Apple's confident in their tech, especially if that rumor aboutremoving screen protectors from the Apple Store pans out. (The iMore Store will fully stock iPhone 4 versions of BodyGuardz and InvisibleSHIELD just as soon as possible -- no cheap plug intended, we just want our own screens defended!) And again, we don't know much yet. It's just the back, and just one review unit so far.

Let us know what you think.

[Engadget]

Phew! Here's some good old 4th generation iPhone (don't call it iPhone 4G!) rumors to help cleanse our iPad-swamped palettes. BGR links to a video from SmartphoneMedic of what they claim is the 4th gen iPhone screen assembly fresh off the spare parts line (or wherever such things come from).

Real, fake, or really fake -- check out the video after the break and let us know what you think!

[Thanks to @phufuung for the tip!]

YouTube link

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]

MacDailyNews (via Daring Fireball) discovered that Apple has indeed given the new iPhone 3G S a small bump in screen specs. No, not OLED or pixel density, but according to their iPhone Cleaning How To:

If your iPhone has an oleophobic coating on the screen (iPhone 3G S only), simply wipe your iPhone’s screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands and face.

Indeed - the smudge-free future is now!

ChinaOnTrade.com, which sells iPhone parts reportedly directly from the factory, has thrown up some images and ordering options for 3rd generation iPhone bevels and screens.

If they're to be believed, the iPhone loses its silvery-chrome outer ring for a black band (as previously rumored?) that seems to indicate Apple will be moving things around a tad -- functionally as well as cosmetically?

Bad news for OLED hopefuls, as Gizmodo says the purported screen is still LCD, though iLounge points out it's price is double that of the 3G screen ($73 vs. $35). Hmm...

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in, iFun.de for the catch, and BenM.at for the (translated) head's up!]

More pics after the break!

Smarthouse (via BGR) has a report saying Apple just might be making the leap to OLED (organic light emitting diode) screens for those future iPhone models mentioned yesterday.

It's also believed that a new iPhone and iPod Touch due later this year will include an OLED screen made by LG who last year scored a multibillion dollar deal to manufacture display screens for Apple.

Apple currently uses LED for the iPhone (and MacBooks, and the new 24" Cinema Display). OLED required no backlight and consumes much less battery power than previous technologies. Given Apple's obsessions with thinness and battery life, this move makes the kind of sense that does.

Also bundled in the rumor is, of course, a rumor about Apple also using OLED in an upcoming "netbook". We're still thinking an iTablet is more likely...

So, all these leaks starting to paint anyone a new summer hardware release picture yet?