Apple’s Yerba Buena Decoration Shows Stretched iOS Icons

Earlier this week, we reported that Apple had started to decorate Yerba Buena Center with colorful banners for the upcoming media event on September 12th. The decoration have now been completed. At first glance, there seems to be no obvious hints regarding Apple’s announcements, but now a MacRumors reader points that an eagle eyed shot shows stretched iOS icons.

After shrinking and skewing several images, they have seemed to verify his findings. The reader points out that you can see stretched versions of iOS icons including Game Center, iTunes, Music and App Store in the image and provides an example image. Very clever if true.

Speculation has it that these stretched icons hints at a long-running rumor that Apple will be introducing a taller iPhone with a 4″ diagonal screen. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 AM PST on September 12th.

[Image credit: MacRumors]

Next generation iPhone to support global 4G LTE reports WSJ

The Wall Street Journal reports that the next generation iPhone will include worldwide 4G LTE support. The new iPhone is widely expected to pack in LTE radios like the 3rd generation iPad. The current iPad only supports two LTE frequencies and automatically shifts to the lower speed HSPA+ networks.

Continue reading “Next generation iPhone to support global 4G LTE reports WSJ”

Banners for Sep 12th Apple Media Event Now Going Up

As Apple’s media event scheduled for September 12th nears, the company has already started to make preparation at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco where the event will be held. Apple has started to put up colorful banners on the exterior of the building. The colorful banners seem to suggest that Apple will also be introducing multicolored iPods during the event. The company usually posts colorful graphics signifying its events at the site.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10 AM PST on September 12th.

[Image credit: AppleInsider]

 

Apple to Drop iPhone 3GS, Introduce 8 GB iPhone 4S on September 12th?

As Apple’s upcoming media event for the next-generation iPhone nears, rumors get out of hand. Today, The Telegraph reports that the launch of the new iPhone will mark the end of Apple’s iPhone 3GS, which would allow the iPhone 4 to be offered for free on contract price. Currently, the iPhone 3GS is offered free on contract.

According to the report, Apple will be releasing the new iPhone with three different capacities. The capacities will possibly be the same 16 GB/ 32 GB/ 64 GB lineup seen with the current iPhone 4S.

The new update will mean that the 8GB version of the iPhone 4 will be the entry-level iPhone, probably given away free on £20 per month contracts, as the 3GS is currently. Sources close to retailers also suggested that an 8GB version of the 4S could be introduced.

Even if Apple does decide to stop selling the iPhone 3GS, recent buyers will not be left in the dark. The upcoming release of iOS 6 will be available on the iPhone 3GS also.

Photos of iPhone 5 Battery in Rear Shell, Compared to iPhone 4S Battery

The battery for the next-generation iPhone has leaked many times in the past recent week. Today, repair firm iResQ has obtained batteries of the new iPhone and has posted new photos showing the iPhone’s rear shell and comparing the battery to an iPhone 4S battery.

The new iPhone’s battery runs at 3.8 volts. It is possible that the new iPhone’s battery is using new chemistry to increase the capacity to 5.45 watt-hours from the 3.7-volt 5.30 watt-hour battery used in the iPhone 4S. The comparison photos show that the new battery is slightly taller than the iPhone 4S. Thickness of the battery appears to be the same despite the fact that the new iPhone is rumored to be at least 15% thinner than the iPhone 4S.

Key differences between the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S battery:

1. The iPhone 5’s battery is slightly less than a half an inch taller than the iPhone 4S. The thickness appears to be identical.

2. The iPhone 5 is 3.8V/5.45Whr while the iPhone 4S is 3.7V/5.3Whr.

3. The connector on the iPhone 5 is not only different, it is placed on the opposite side of the battery to accomodiate its new position within the iPhone.

Apple is expected to introduce the new iPhone at next week’s media event, which was officially announced today.

Apple Announces Media Event for September 12th

Today, The Loop reports that Apple has sent out media invites to the press for an event next Wednesday, September 12th. Apple is expected to reveal the next-generation iPhone at this event.

The tagline on the invitations read “It’s almost here,” with a large number 12. Also, below the date of the event, there is a shadow that displays a number “5”. This would suggest that Apple will call the next-generation iPhone “iPhone 5”.

The event will be held next Wednesday at 10 AM Pacific/ 1 PM Eastern at the Yerba Buena Center for Arts in San Francisco, California.

Walmart Testing iPhone-Based Self-Checkout System

Reuters reports that Walmart is currently testing a new “Scan & Go” service at one Arkansas store. This new “Scan & Go” service allows iPhone users to scan items with their device as they shop and then proceed to a self-checkout station as they are on their way out of the store to complete their purchase. Sounds similar Apple’s EasyPay system that the company uses at its stores.

The test comes months after Walmart said that it would add more self-checkout lanes at its Walmart and Sam’s Club stores. Earlier this week, Walmart held test sessions and participants were compensated with a $100 payment and a $25 Walmart gift card for the one-hour sessions.

The report also points to survey Walmart is using to gather feedback on the new system. If this test does turn out to be a mass deployment among all of Walmart stores, can you imagine the huge potential this has to make the shopping and checkout process more personal?


Carved Wooden Case for iPhone Review

With the thousands of cases out there for the iPhone, it can be exceptionally hard to find one which sets yours apart while imparting a bit of protection.

We’ve used a wide variety of protective cases and bumpers in the past but nothing has really stood out like the Carved Case. Lets take a better look at this wooden case for the iPhone. Continue reading “Carved Wooden Case for iPhone Review”

AT&T Denies Rumor of Company-Wide Vacation Blackout at End of September

YesterdayTechCrunch reported that AT&T had issued a vacation blackout between September 21-30. Reports suggested that the blackout dates were likely due to the new iPhone. Coincidentally, these rumored black out dates were similar to Verizon’s blackout dates. Continue reading “AT&T Denies Rumor of Company-Wide Vacation Blackout at End of September”

Samsung to pay $1.05 billion in damages to Apple for infringing patents

Samsung accused

The jury presiding over the Apple vs Samsung trial in a US court has just reached a verdict. We were thinking this trial would last several weeks or even months and to everyone’s surprise the jury announced the verdict just minutes ago. Pretty bad news from Samsung has it has been found to infringe several patents owned by Apple.  Samsung must pay Apple $1 billion, 51 million 855 thousand dollars $1051855000 . That is about Rs.5828.33 crores or five thousand odd crores of rupees in damages to just give you an idea about the magnitude of the verdict. Continue reading “Samsung to pay $1.05 billion in damages to Apple for infringing patents”

iPhone 5 dock cable with smaller connector spotted

There have been strong indications that Apple is moving to a smaller dock connector on the next iPhone. Alongside various leaks showing parts of the phone, we now have a photograph of what is believed to be the USB cable of the next generation device. The USB cable comes with said smaller dock connector.

Continue reading “iPhone 5 dock cable with smaller connector spotted”

iOS 6 scales apps to rumored iPhone 5 resolution

The latest beta for iOS 6 recently rolled out and it appears to include scaling for the long awaited next generation iPhone with a larger display. It is believed that the new iPhone will be getting a 640×1136 screen.

Continue reading “iOS 6 scales apps to rumored iPhone 5 resolution”

Apple iPhone and iPad Mini Launch Event might be set for September 12

apple ipad mini
Multiple sources are claiming that the next big Apple product launch is about a month away. iMore is reporting a September 12th date for the event in which the new iPhone (iPhone 5) and a smaller version of the iPad (iPad Mini) will be launched. There have been multiple leaks of parts and cases related to new iPhone in recent weeks and the iPhone 4S is about to turn one this October.So the rumours might be pointing in the right direction.The new iPhone might go on sale on September 21st.

Continue reading “Apple iPhone and iPad Mini Launch Event might be set for September 12”

Apple App Store crosses 650,000 apps, pays out $5.5 billion to developers

As part of its earnings call, Apple revealed that it now has over 650,000 applications on the App Store. These include approximately 250,000 applications specifically optimized for the iPad according to Peter Oppenheimer. Having sold over 17 million iPads in the last quarter, we can only expect the number of optimized apps to increase.

Continue reading “Apple App Store crosses 650,000 apps, pays out $5.5 billion to developers”