http://www.informationweek.comInformationWeeken-usCopyright 2012, UBM LLC.2013-02-13T08:05:00ZIs a cheaper iPhone 5 necessary when the iPhone 4 is free on a contract? Is an entirely new product on the horizon, and it's not an iPhone? When Apple wants to introduce a more affordable product, it's not always exactly what we expect.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/smart-phones/tim-cook-cheaper-iphone-maybe/240148478?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Apple may be planning a cheaper iPhone, if CEO Tim Cook's vague hints are anything to go by, but they're always planning something. While speaking at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference Tuesday, Cook was asked how Apple wants to reach the markets looking for a more affordable handset. While he didn't answer directly, he said that Apple does look for ways to make products that budget-conscious consumers can buy.</p> <P> <p>First, Cook said that Apple doesn't just aim for cheap, by saying, "We wouldn't do anything that's not a great product." He added, "... for people who are more price sensitive, we've lowered the price of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S," saying that Apple was unable to meet the demand after the price cut.</p> <P> <p><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2013-Feb/tim-cook-speaks-to-apple.jpg" /><div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#009999; font-size:small; ;font-style: italic; text-align:right;">October 19, 2011 &#8212; Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks to employees at a celebration of Steve Jobs' life. source: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/10/19October-19-Employee-Celebration-of-Steve-Jobs-Life.html">Apple</a></div></p> <P> <p>"If you look at Apple's history, the iPod started out costing $349. Now you can walk into a store and pick up a Shuffle for just $49," explained Cook. "For years, people asked, 'Why don't you have a Mac that's less than $500 or $1000?'" He concluded, "We created the iPad, which starts at $329."</p> <P> <p>It seems that Apple is exploring options for a more affordable communication device, but it may not be a cheaper-made iPhone. It's worth noting that the iPhone 4 is free with a two-year contract, and the iPhone 4S is $99 with the contract. It's unclear just what a budget iPhone would be, at least in the United States where phones are usually sold by carriers with a subsidy.</p> <P> <p>Meanwhile, in early January, it emerged that <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/8-ways-apple-could-make-a-cheaper-iphone/240145965">Apple is working on a lower-end iPhone</a>. The company has apparently been working on such a handset "for years," <a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324391104578230060513922882.html">says the Wall Street Journal</a>. Plans for the device are moving along, and it could launch as soon as 2013. The report goes on to say that Apple could drop plans for the lower-priced iPhone, and it may never become a reality. To the Wall Street Journal's credit, they have been an accurate source of Apple rumors in the past. Other reports speculate that a lower-priced iPhone would be sold only in developing markets like India.</p> <P> <p>Another device rumored to be in the pipeline is <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/smart-phones/what-would-an-apple-watch-do/240148232">a "watch-like device" with a curved glass design</a> . Details are sparse, but Cook's recent comments did seem to imply that when Apple wants to introduce a more affordable product, it's not always exactly what we expect.</p> <P> <p>The safe bet would be to guess that Apple is working on both and simply exploring its options. Is a cheaper iPhone necessary when the iPhone 4 is free on a contract? Is an entirely new product on the horizon, and it's not an iPhone? Maybe, that's likely why Cook chose the words that he did.</p> <P> <p>Hat tip to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cultofmac.com/215484/tim-cook-on-cheaper-iphone-people-asked-us-for-years-for-sub-500-mac-so-we-created-the-ipad/">CultofMac</a>.</p>2013-02-07T08:05:00ZRecognizing that so many of its customers use iPhones and iPads and Android devices, BlackBerry will add support for the separate and secure work and personal spaces that comprise BlackBerry Balance on the new BB10 operating system. BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) administrators can manage the Apple and Android devices as well as BlackBerries.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/blackberry-workpersonal-spaces-come-to-i/240148075?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackberry.com/">BlackBerry</a>, the company you remember as Research in Motion (RIM), has <a target="_blank" href="http://crackberry.com/blackberry-introduces-work-spaces-ios-and-android">introduced Secure Work Space for iOS and Android</a>, a sign that the former king of smartphones is rethinking how it does things.</p> <P> <p>Secure Work Space for iOS and Android is a feature originally exclusive to the BlackBerry platform and central to the BlackBerry Balance features of the new BlackBerry 10 OS. It gives IT administrators the ability to create a work environment on employee smartphones, separate and secure from personal apps and data. The addition of Secure Work Space for iOS and Android seems to be part of a move toward the growing BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend that's becoming increasingly popular in corporate environments as more employees adopt smartphones, many of which are not BlackBerry devices. </p> <P> <p><b><hr /><blockquote>The new BlackBerry 10 operating system is radically different from the old one and competitors'. <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/smart-phones/blackberry-10-radically-new-but-many-det/240147351">Click here to read about the new design and features.</a></b></blockquote><hr /></p> <P> <p>A majority of these employees prefer to have one handset, and keep it for both personal and work use. Sandboxing, or separating personal use apps from workplace apps, is a concern for businesses &#151; they want a way to keep those profiles apart, and they want to do it securely. </p> <P> <iframe width="452" height="254" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lLvJG31ZK-8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <P> <p>Applications like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.divide.com/features/workspace/">Divide for iOS and Android</a> already offer the ability to separate the work apps from those for personal use. The advantage to BlackBerry's solution is that it's administered through BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), which many companies already have in place, making it easier to integrate iPhone and Android devices. Furthermore, BlackBerry still has a strong reputation for its security in the corporate world.</p> <P> <p><b><hr /><blockquote>BYTE's Larry Seltzer argues that <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/take-blackberry-10-seriously-for-busines/240147678">companies that don't take BB10 seriously for business are doing themselves a disservice.</a></b></blockquote><hr /></p> <P> <p>Workspace isn't a typical app download. Rather, it's a solution integrated into BES 10. IT admins can choose which applications and services are available to the device, be it tablet or smartphone, from the back end.</p> <P> <p>BlackBerry may not be the superpower business- and government-class smartphone company it once was, but as long as it knows where its strengths are, it can maintain a strong presence in the corporate world. That seems to be the goal. </p> <P> <p>BlackBerry issued this statement to BYTE: <blockquote><i>We recently announced that we will be offering Secure Work Space for iOS and Android to our enterprise customers. Secure Work Space will separate corporate data from personal data on iOS and Android devices in order to protect corporations, and to ensure personal privacy of employees. Secure Work Space will be managed through BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 and will secure data at rest and in transit. We plan to offer a Beta program to our enterprise customers in the very near future. We will share details on availability soon.</i></blockquote></p> <P> <p>Tip of the hat to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/02/04/switcher.interest.in.new.bb.smartphones.said.to.be.surprising/">Electronista</a>.</p>2013-01-15T14:22:00ZOne man gets angry calls from people who have lost their cell phone due to a technology glitch. It turns out phone tracking tool is imperfect due to the way the GPS location is approximated and this is the trouble one man has endured.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/science-technology/phone-tracking-tool-leads-authorities-to/240146334?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/commentary/2012-Aug/BYTE_FindMyPhone_1.jpg" /> <P> <p>59-year-old Wayne Dobson has the unfortunate pleasure of being the victim of a strange glitch that leads people with missing cellular phones straight to his home in North Vegas. </p> <P> <p>He's visited by angry cellphone owners who have lost their handsets. They yell at him, threaten him with calls to the authorities, and do just about anything else to prove that their phone is in his home.</p> <P> <p>But that's never the case. </p> <P> <p>Even police have been misled by the tracking tool. They've reportedly gone to his house twice on calls for domestic violence. </p> <P> <p>However, Dobson is not the culprit. This glitch seems to be a problem for Sprint customers, reports the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lvrj.com/news/if-you-lose-your-cellphone-don-t-blame-wayne-dobson-186670171.html"><em>Las Vegas Review-Journal</em></a>.</p> <P> <p>It's become such a problem for Dobson that he has to sleep near the front door of his home just to answer the door quickly. It's also made it difficult for him to get proper sleep.</p> <P> <p>He's gone to the extent of putting a sign outside his door that reads, "No lost cell phones!!" in bold, capital letters.</p> <P> <p>This has been an issue for at least two years, with the first such incident happening in 2011. Eventually, these people realize that he is not the thief, and they are on their way. This usually doesn't happen without a call to the police. The apparent problem is that cellular GPS systems are approximate. They tend to use assisted GPS. This combines the GPS systems we are used to with our navigation systems, and triangulates a signal between cellular towers that are close. Sprint's estimate just so happens to be right on his house.</p> <P> <p>The situation is more than an annoyance factor. It can even be dangerous for Dobson. Sprint says they are looking into the issue. For Dobson, a fix couldn't come soon enough.</p> <P> <p>Tip of the hat to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lvrj.com/news/if-you-lose-your-cellphone-don-t-blame-wayne-dobson-186670171.html">Las Vegas Review-Journal</a>.</p>2013-01-15T09:56:00ZThe question to ask at this year's Consumer Electronics Show was "Does it connect to my iPhone?" Most of the time, the answer seemed to be "Yes." Apple's iPhone business practices may be good for accessory makers, but consumers seem to be getting bored.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/smart-phones/absent-apple-ruled-ces-2013/240146243?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>The question to ask at this year's Consumer Electronics Show was "Does it connect to my iPhone?" Most of the time, the answer seemed to be "Yes."</p> <P> <p>Regardless of their industry, it seems that exhibitors all over the show floor at CES 2013 had jumped onto the iOS device accessory market. <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/auto-tech/cars-gear-up-for-byod-era-at-ces/240145960">Ford cars and trucks are designed to integrate your mobile device with the vehicles in some way</a>, and companies like Hyundai are <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyundai-debuts-next-generation-automotive-technology-at-ces-185720142.html">making it possible use Siri with your vehicle</a>.</p> <P> <p>Everywhere I looked at the Las Vegas Convention Center, someone was trying to show off an iPhone 5 case with Hello Kitty designs or a rubber egg that amplified the volume of the iPhone 5 when the device was docked.</p> <P> <p>At more than one booth, pretty women in workout clothes ran on treadmills with an arm strap that sent biometric data to their iPhone via Bluetooth. Interestingly, all of these gadgets &#151; with the exception of anything that had an Apple-specific connector &#151; was designed to work on Android devices as well, but most of the exhibitors had an iOS device on display.</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/commentary/2013-Jan/CES-Showfloor.jpg" /> <P> <p>It's easy to say at a glance that the iOS accessory market is huge, and there's no way to deny that. There are millions of people out there with iPhones and iPads, and many of them are going to buy cases and accessories to connect to their devices. My initial assessment was, "Man, everyone wants to get into the iPhone and iPad market."</p> <P> <p>My BYTE colleague <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/authors/Serdar-Yegulalp">Serdar Yegulalp</a> pointed out to me how third-party makers benefit enormously from having a predicable form factor. Because Apple makes so few products compared to other companies, it's easier for its products to be a target for accessory makers. </p> <P> <p><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/authors/Chris-Spera">Chris Spera</a> agreed, but added that things had been a bit slow thanks to <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/peripherals/where-are-all-the-iphoneipad-lightning-a/240142737">problems with the Lightning connector</a>.</p> <P> <p>While there are millions of Android devices out in the wild, it's hard for case makers and other accessory manufacturers to create compatible gear for consumers. They must narrow things down to what's popular, and can only manufacture for a small percentage of mobile devices consumers possess.</p> <P> <p>If Apple continues its current trend, the next iPhone will have a form factor identical to the iPhone 5's. This is great news for accessory makers, but consumers may be getting bored. In fact, the Cupertino company has reportedly cut iPhone part orders in half, due to lower demand. This is thanks to increased competition from handset makers like Samsung. Those who criticize Apple's iPhone line say that the incremental changes and innovations aren't radically different when the handset is compared to rival smartphones.</p> <P> <p>Apple may <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/01/apple-ces-2013/">not have exhibited at CES since 1992</a>, but the company still seems to have a strong presence on the show floor. Too bad it means that we all just know what to expect from the next iPhone. The element of surprise could be wearing off.</p> <P>2012-12-11T06:03:00ZVerizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile have agreed to make nationwide SMS (texting) to 911 possible by 2014. This is a move to improve E9-1-1 services and their infrastructure in a way that is compatible with public needs.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/us-mobile-carriers-to-enable-texting-to/240144195?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>The four largest carriers in the United States have agreed to make nationwide texting to 9-1-1 possible by May, 2014. The goal is to improve 9-1-1 services and their infrastructure in a way that is compatible with public needs.</p> <P> <p>The current 9-1-1 system is voice-only. This means that a person must make a voice call to 9-1-1 in order to receive emergency help. In some emergency situations, this may be extremely difficult. For instance, those who are hearing- or voice impaired cannot reach out and make a phone call the way the rest of the general public does. There are also emergency situations where it could be dangerous to make a voice call, for instance a home invasion or robbery. The system in place is not capable of handing SMS, images or video. Right now, a text or image sent to 9-1-1 will go nowhere.</p> <P> <p><b><hr /><blockquote>During Hurricane Sandy many people attempted, and failed, to reach emergency services using SMS and special apps. Read about how <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/911-centers-not-ready-for-mobile-app-era/240142891">the E9-1-1 system was not designed for the modern communications age</a>.</b></blockquote><hr /></p> <P> <p>Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) is a new initiative that aims to improve the emergency response systems&#8217; infrastructure to make it possible for these sorts of data to be sent across the network. Mobile carriers are also working to make this functionality a priority. According to Robert Kenny, who handles the FCC's media and public relations, and spoke with BYTE's Todd Ogasawara about Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) in late 2010, 9-1-1 call centers in the U.S. handle over 650K calls a day.</p> <P> <p>Furthermore, there is a generation of users more accustomed to using text messages and sending video or photos than making voice calls. Kenny mentioned the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, in which a gunman shot and killed 32 people and wounded 15 others before committing suicide. Many sent text messages to 9-1-1, but they went nowhere. It's unclear whether those persons assumed the messages would reach emergency dispatchers, or if they were in a situation where they were within earshot of the killer and risked putting themselves in danger by making a voice call. Regardless, those text messages were not received. In hopes of improving the situation in the interim, carriers have agreed to automatically send a bounce-back that tells the person to make a voice call to 9-1-1, <a target="_blank" href="http://professional.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323501404578164061776901022.html">reports the Wall Street Journal</a>.</p> <P> <p>There are also test runs in place in some markets by carriers AT&T and Verizon. The Journal reports that in one case a suicide was prevented and in another, authorities responded to a case of spousal abuse. In the latter, it's easy to imagine how a voice call to 9-1-1 could have resulted in further injury to the victim.</p> <P> <p>The FCC is also planning to talk to consumers of other carriers about how to make it possible to reach emergency services. </p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Dec/911-text.png" /> <P>2012-10-18T07:30:00ZAn analyst predicts that 20% of iPad Mini sales will cancel out full-size iPad sales. But that's okay with Apple, because all those iPad Minis will steal sales from the Amazon Kindle Fire and other Android tablets, and increase the "halo effect" for other Apple products.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240009229?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, Apple's rumored iPad Mini <a target="_blank" href="http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/10/17/total.q4.ipad.sales.expected.to.surpass.25m/">will cannibalize as many as 1 million current-gen iPad sales</a> during the fourth quarter.</p> <P> <p>His prediction is that 20%, or one out of every five units sold, will take place of one full-size iPad. Although his prediction might be true, this isn't necessarily bad news for Apple. Every iPad Mini sold is one Kindle Fire or one Nexus 7 that's not in the hands of consumers.</p> <P> <a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini-2/iPadMini.jpg"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini-2/iPadMini-452.jpg" /></a> <P> <p>Apple doesn't mind a little cannibalization as long as the product eating the other carries its logo. CEO Tim Cook said so himself during <a target="_blank" href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/11/01/18/notes_of_interest_from_apples_q1_2011_conference_call.html">a 2011 first-quarter conference call</a> when asked if the iPad was cutting into Mac sales.</p> <P> <p>"Yes, I think there is some cannibalization, but I also think there is a halo effect," said Cook, explaining that some of those users will later decide to buy a Mac. "If this is cannibalization, it feels pretty good," he joked.</p> <P> <p>In the long run, even if an iPad Mini cuts into the iPad's sales, it introduces users to the iOS and apps, which is precisely what Apple wants--anything, as long as it's not Android.</p> <P> <p>Munster also seems to believe that despite the cannibalization, the iPad Mini will boost Apple's overall tablet sales.</p> <P> <p>Some, such as BYTE's own Larry Seltzer, disagree. "Apple neither makes nor loses money when someone buys a Kindle Fire. But if the [cannibalization] is true, and they're losing iPad 'Biggie' sales then it's a matter of which is more profitable to Apple."</p> <P> <p>There are enough consumers to sell plenty of both tablets. As long as it means buying things from the Apple App Store and enticing users to switch to Mac while Android sales slow down, Tim Cook & Co. are a happy bunch. It seems <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailytech.com/Steve+Jobs+Im+Going+to+Destroy+Android+Because+Its+a+Stolen+Product/article23077.htm">Steve Jobs' desire to kill Android</a> lives on.</p> <P> <p>The iPad Mini has been rumored for quite some time now, and <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/apple-sends-out-ipad-mini-invites/240009154">is expected to debut during an Apple press event on Oct. 23</a> with a release date of Nov. 2.</p>2012-10-09T17:00:00ZRepairing a broken iPhone can be a pain, especially if it's the new iPhone 5, because parts aren't available yet. We look at repair services AppleCare+, SquareTrade, and iCracked to see who's best.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240008605?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Repairing an iPhone--especially a brand-new one like the iPhone 5--can be a pain. Fortunately, many problems are fixable. But who do you choose to do the repair?</p> <P> <p>We did a quick review of some of the repair services available. There is Apple's own AppleCare+ insurance plan. Then there are companies like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.icracked.com">iCracked</a> that specialize in fixing iOS devices--iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches. iCracked handles broken screens, water damage, and battery replacements. </p> <P> <p>We compared the cost of using AppleCare+ vs. iCracked vs. SquareTrade, another insurance plan. The scenario: an iPhone 4S with a cracked screen. We found there isn't a huge difference in costs, but iCracked has the edge. Here's how it shakes out. </P> <P> <p>Let's start with AppleCare+. <a target="_blank" href="http://store.apple.com/us/product/S4575LL/A/applecare-for-iphone">AppleCare+ costs $99</a> for two years. Under the insurance policy, a cracked screen--considered "accidental damage from handling"--costs $49 to repair. You're allowed two such repairs during the two years. The first broken screen would effectively cost $148--the cost of the policy plus the repair charge--to fix. A second instance--should you be klutzy enough to break the phone again within two years--would bring your total to $200.</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Oct/iphone5-open.png" /><div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#990000; font-size:small; font-style: roman; text-align:right;">Image from UBM TechInsights <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ubmtechinsights.com/apple-iphone-5/">"Inside the Apple iPhone 5: Estimated Bill of Materials Costings, Teardown Images, A6 Processor Analysis"</a></div> <P> <p>The other insurance plan in our mini-comparison, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.squaretrade.com/htm/pop/popup_whatiscovered.html">SquareTrade's</a>, charges $124 for two years of coverage, and a $50 deductible. This works out to $174 to repair our cracked screen, compared with $148 for AppleCare+.</p> <P> <p>The repair service iCracked would charge $124.99 to fix our screen. This is a savings over both AppleCare+ and SquareTrade, at least for a one-time incident.</p> <P> <p>iCracked is definitely the way to go if you have a freak accident and didn't insure your handset. It's also useful if you are out of warranty or bought it second-hand. Interestingly, many of the iPhones that iCracked gets are already covered by insurance, said CEO AJ Forsythe in a phone interview. "Most of our repairs are more convenient, or cheaper than the deductible," he said.</p> <P> <p>"No one wants to send their iPhone in for three days," said Forsythe, referring to the down time some users experience using AppleCare+. iCracked set up its own supply chain to insure it gets high-quality parts, he said. In addition, iCracked's technicians are located throughout the world, he said, with "300 guys in eight countries," to cut down on repair time. <P> <p>Interviewing to become an iCracked "iTech" is a rigorous process, including background checks. Only 2% of those who apply make it into the training program, said Forsythe. He said that in the future, iCracked hopes to expand its repair service to include a full buy-back service.</p> <P> <p><b><hr /><blockquote>With any luck your iPhone will never need fixing. A series of tests showed it to be <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/personal-tech/smart-phones/iphone-5-crushes-samsung-galaxy-s3-in-cr/240008197">much tougher than the Samsung Galaxy S III</a>.</b></blockquote><hr /></p> <P> <p>If you break your iPhone 5, you might be out of luck, at least for now. New iPhones are still on back order, according to Apple, so finding replacement parts could be difficult. <a target="_blank" href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57517761-37/apple-can-replace-broken-iphone-5-screens-in-the-store-says-report/">Some reports say Apple will do in-store repairs.</a> When we called Apple stores randomly chosen from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.apple.com/retail/storelist/">this list</a>, employees invariably asked us to bring our phones in to be looked at, but also told us that they didn't have parts right now.</p> <P> <p>iCracked said it would have iPhone 5 parts in a few weeks.2012-10-02T16:29:00ZHolding your iPad while standing or walking is a terrible waste of hand capacity. If a strap-on called the GoPad makes it through the KickStarter project, you can type on your iPad with both hands while looking like a complete dork. http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240008306?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Showing up with an iPad immediately earns you "hip" points, extra credit if you're at a Starbucks. There's only one way to make yourself even more interesting: Showing up with a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/370414143/gopad-the-hands-free-way-to-wear-and-use-your-ipad">GoPad</a>, a wearable iPad stand that you hang around your neck.</a></p> <P> <p>When you have the urge to type and walk at the same time, but your iPhone 5 isn't enough, just whip out your iPad with attached GoPad. Now you can prop your iPad against your body for typing and reading! It's like a dental appliance for your belly!</p> <P> <p>When you no longer feel like looking at the screen, you simply snap the iPad back into the GoPad's kickstand, and carry it off. When you're ready to use it again, you just flip out the stand and your iPad snaps into place, ready to use hands free!</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/briefs/GoPad.png" /> <P> <p>The GoPad Kickstarter campaign has a goal of $75,000, with 43 days to go, so there's a chance this product can become a reality. The best part is that anyone who pledges even a dollar can watch the company VP perform his "Dance of Joy." <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/370414143/gopad-the-hands-free-way-to-wear-and-use-your-ipad/pledge/new?backing%5Bamount%5D=1.0&backing%5Bbacker_reward_id%5D=1048625&clicked_reward=true&logged_in=true&ref=category">No. Seriously.</a></p>2012-10-02T07:23:00ZA bug in Verizon iPhone 5s -- and possibly the AT&T and Sprint versions as well -- is causing them to consume cellular data even when connected to Wi-Fi. Apple has issued a fix for Verizon phones, but there's no confirmation for the other carriers.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240008263?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Some iPhone 5 users are finding that a bug in the software is causing their handsets to consume huge amounts of data without their knowing it.</p> <P> <p>The problem, as Apple puts it, is that "... under certain circumstances, [the] iPhone 5 may use Verizon cellular data while the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network." Typically, a smartphone will switch from cellular data to Wi-Fi when the device is near a hotspot. This is ideal, and allows the user to consume data freely. Unfortunately, the iPhone 5 is not doing that. This is causing users to unknowingly guzzle down gigabytes worth of cellular data within days, and be surprised with a massive cell phone bill and some major overage charges.</p> <P> <p>Originally, as the Apple explanation states, the problem was thought to be only on the Verizon iPhone 5. However AT&T is reported to be susceptible, too. <a target="_blank" href="http://9to5mac.com/2012/10/01/iphone-5-carrier-data-leak-bug-might-not-be-verizon-only/">Apple blog 9to5Mac reports</a> that at least one user on AT&T has managed to rack up at least $100 in overage charges.</p> <P> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/01/technology/iphone-5-data-overage/">Verizon told CNNMoney</a> that customers "will not be charged for any unwarranted cellular data usage..."</p> <P> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5526">Apple released a fix directly to Verizon customers</a> (In order to update, go to: Settings>General>About). </p> <P> <p>Carriers AT&T and Sprint have not commented on the matter.</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/briefs/iphone-verizon-att-sprint.jpg" /> <P>2012-09-18T17:25:00ZMore photos of an iPad "mini" have appeared on another Chinese site, and the iPhone 5 pattern of leaks seems to be repeating. If so, the new smaller iPad, to be announced in October, will have a 7.8-inch screen, close to that of the Kindle Fire, and the new Lightning connector.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240007566?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>The photo below might be a fully-functional iPad Mini. </p> <P> <p>Normally, we don't accept just any old photos as truth, but pictures have been remarkably consistent and accurate this year. The photos are consistent with <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/personal-tech/tablets/240007126">the iPad Mini photos we published a week ago</a>, and this is exactly how <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/galleries/personal-tech/smart-phones/240006969">the iPhone 5 was revealed before its official announcement</a>. If the iPhone 5 leaks were any indication of what to expect, this could be an authentic miniature iPad.</p> <P> <a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini-2/iPadMini.jpg"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini-2/iPadMini-452.jpg" /></a><div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#990000; font-weight:bold;font-style: roman; text-align:right;">Purported iPad Mini. Credit: <a target="_blank" href="http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=zh-CN&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bolopad.com%2Fhtml%2Fshow-22-1510-1.html">Bolopad, via Google Translate.</a></div> <P> <p>It's hard to get a perspective of the size, but it seems to match up with past leaks. The necessary parts are there, such as the cameras and the new Lightning connector, which made its official debut during last week's iPhone 5 media event.</p> <P> <p>The tablet is likely Apple's answer to smaller, lower-priced 7-inch tablets, which shot into popularity with Amazon's tablet, the Kindle Fire. Perhaps the success of the Fire led Apple to see that there is a market for smaller tablets, and the company feels the need to secure a spot before its competitors grab it.</p> <P> <p>Gizmodo's Jesus Diaz makes an interesting point in <a target="_blank" href="http://gizmodo.com/5944173/this-looks-like-the-first-photo-of-a-fully-working-ipad-mini-to-me">his report</a>. The iPhone 5 was the most-leaked product in Apple's history. It might mean one of three things: <ol><li>The leaks are intentional by Apple, and are meant to control expectations, or</li><li>Foxconn employees are getting better at sneaking things out of the plant, or </li><li>the company has become so huge that there is no way to prevent leaks.</li></ol> Perhaps it's a little bit of everything. We are speculating here, but doesn't it make sense that iPad photos are making their way to the Internet right before the launch of the Kindle Fire?</p> <P> <p>With its last press invitation, Apple seemed okay with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/apple-iphone-5-hints-continue/240006706">hinting that the upcoming product was an iPhone 5</a>. That's an indication that it is aware of the leaks. Apple realized it couldn't prevent them, so it just ran with them.</p> <P> <p>The iPad Mini is rumored to have a 7.8-inch screen, with a thinner bezel than the current iPad. If previous reports are accurate, <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news-briefs/personal-tech/smart-phones/240006305">we can expect to hear an official announcement in October</a>, just in time for the holiday season.</p> <P> <p>Hat tip to Gizmodo.</p>2012-09-11T13:45:00ZJust one day before Apple's scheduled iPhone 5 event, alleged photos of an iPad Mini tablet have popped up on the Internet. And they're pretty convincing.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240007126?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p><div style="margin:0; padding: 0 0 5px 5px; width:200px; float:right; text-align:center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini/iPad_Mini_1.jpg"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini/iPad_Mini_1-190.jpg" alt="iPad Mini" hspace="0" vspace="5" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini/iPad_Mini_2.jpg"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini/iPad_Mini_2-190.jpg" alt="iPad Mini" hspace="0" vspace="5" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini/iPad_Mini_3.jpg"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini/iPad_Mini_3-190.jpg" alt="iPad Mini" hspace="0" vspace="5" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini/iPad_Mini_4.jpg"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-Sep/iPad-Mini/iPad_Mini_4-190.jpg" alt="iPad Mini" hspace="0" vspace="5" border="0" /></a><br /></div>You might be looking at a real prototype of Apple's next tablet.</p> <P> <p>Just one day before Apple's scheduled iPhone 5 event, alleged photos of an iPad Mini have popped up on the Internet. And they're pretty convincing.</p> <P> <p>Click on any of the photos to the right to open a larger version. The second photo shows a side-by-side with a different hand holding a Samsung Galaxy Note phablet for comparison.</p> <P> <p>If the pictures are actually of an iPad Mini, then it pretty much confirms everything we've believed up to this point, such as it being roughly the size of a Kindle Fire (perhaps a little wider), with Apple's newer, smaller dock connector. If they're not--this is the best fake we've seen in a while.</p> <P> <p>While it's interesting that the photos would leak just a day ahead of the iPhone 5 event, it's worth remembering that <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news-briefs/personal-tech/smart-phones/240006305">many reports point to an October reveal for the tablet</a>. This is in order to keep full attention focused on what is arguably the most important device in Apple's product line, and save a spot for its iPad Mini to be announced just in time for the holidays, effectively giving Apple two hot items to sell during gift-giving season.</p> <P> <p>If anything, the iPad Mini is admission by Apple that there is a market for smaller-size tablets. Amazon helped prove this with its offerings. If Apple can keep the Mini at a desirable price, it's easy for it to target that same market that invests in e-reader-focused tablets a la Nook Color and Kindle Fire.</p> <P> Hat tip to <a target="_blank" href="http://venturebeat.com/2012/09/11/ipad-Mini-photos-leak/#s:ipad-Mini-case">VentureBeat MobileBeat</a>, itself taking the images from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nowhereelse.fr/ipad-Mini-maquette-photos-70841/">nowhereelse.fr</a>, which claims to have gotten the images from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dgtle.com/">DGtle.com</a>, although we can't find them there.2012-09-10T07:00:00ZApple is about to unveil the next iPhone. Press invitations to Wednesday's announcement have gone out, and soon all the rumors will be put to rest. The invitation itself seems to confirm once and for all at least one fact: the name of the phone. The number 12--for the Sept. 12 date of the announcement--casts a shadow in the shape of a five, and the invitation teases, "It's almost here". What else could "it" be but Apple's new flagship product, the iPhone 5? </p> Unlike in years past when we waited for a new iPhone, leaks this year have been both abundant and remarkably consistent. In past years, numerous "iPhones" surfaced on the Internet but few of the photos matched up. This year, all the leaked photos show the same design and components. Still, Apple has confirmed nothing. So for at least a few more days, all we can do is guess how everything will shake out. Here's what we predict.</p>http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240006969?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>It's said the iPhone 5 screen will be almost four inches, with a resolution of 640 pixels by 1136 pixels. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/personal-tech/smart-phones/240006632">This is very close to a 16:9 aspect ratio.</a> This would be the first time Apple has changed the screen size of its handset, but it might be a necessary move due to the competition. <P> <p>Several leaks about the bigger screen size have confirmed each other. Note the inset picture above. The changed aspect ratio of the screen means that there is more vertical space in portrait mode than in previous iPhones. One predicted outcome is that Apple will add another row of icons to the home screen. The inset shows one more row than on current iPhones.</p> <P> <p><strong>Probability:</strong> <em>Very likely. Practically confirmed at this point.</p> <P> <p>(Image credit: chrisbrownie91 on YouTube.)</em></p><p>A photo that recently hit the Internet showed a box with an iPhone that read, "The New iPhone." Right away, it spread like any other Apple rumor and has people speculating, but no one can confirm the validity of the photo.</p> <P> <p><strong>Probability:</strong> <em>I'm not counting on a name change at this point. While it's possible, and I could be eating my words in a few days, I am going to have to go with a "no". Apple's press invitation clearly features a '5' on the image, and says "It's almost here." Both of these details imply that "it" is the iPhone 5.</p> <P> <p>On the other hand, the image above does make a good case that Apple will do what it did with the most recent iPad and announce "The New iPhone - 5th Generation".</p> <P> <p>(Credit: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iphonenieuwsblog.nl/foto-doos-nieuwe-iphone-5-uitgelekt/">Dutch iPhone blog</a>.)</em></p><p>From the start, we heard rumors that the iPhone 5 would have a smaller dock connector. Photos popped up, then parts, then accessories. At this point, we can probably consider it truth. The exact number of pins remains unclear, but we've heard between eight and nine.</p> <P> <p><strong>Probability:</strong> <em>This is as good as real. There have been several leaks and pictures on this one, and they all come from multiple sources with their own set of independent Apple insiders.</p> <P> <p>(Image credit: chrisbrownie91 on YouTube.)</em></p> <P><p>It's not completely clear how much thinner the iPhone 5 will be than the current iPhone. However, we've heard that the touch panel will be thinner, as will the screen, which is reportedly made of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.corninggorillaglass.com">Corning's Gorilla Glass 2</a>. Leaked images of a phone that looks thinner than the current model seems to bear out this rumor.</p> <P> <p><strong>Probability:</strong> <em>Count on it. All clues point to "yes."</p> <P> <p>(Image credit: chrisbrownie91 on YouTube.)</em></p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.imore.com/">iMore</a>, the website that originally broke the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/personal-tech/smart-phones/240004603">Sept. 12 announcement date</a>, says the iPhone 5 will go on sale Sept. 21. iMore definitely knows someone on the inside, as it has been very accurate in the past.</p> <P> <strong>Probability:</strong> <em>Not only have iMore's past predictions been accurate, Sept. 21 falls in line with Apple's usual announce/release timetable: the phone goes on sale roughly one week after the scheduled announcement, on a Friday, perfect for shoppers.</em><p>4G LTE hasn't been discussed as much as other features, but it makes sense, given that the third-generation iPad has 4G capabilities. That, and the fact that Apple is facing increased competition from other handset manufacturers. It has to jump on LTE if it wants to keep up with rivals such as HTC and Samsung. Also, on Friday the Wall Street Journal <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443819404577637903902952754.html">reported that the new iPhone would support LTE</a>, citing "people familiar with the matter."</p> <P> <p><strong>Probability:</strong> <em>I'd put my money on 4G. Apple's smart phone is overdue for the update.</em></p> <P><p>The near-field communications (NFC) rumor has been around for some time now. In fact, it was a pre-iPhone 4S rumor.</p> <P> <p><strong>Probability:</strong> <em>Not going to happen. The technology hasn't become significant enough for Apple to care much about it, and a mystery part that many thought was an NFC chip in a leaked photo is more likely to be a bracket that holds a component such as the FaceTime camera, proximity sensor, or earpiece speaker, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/09/06/new_pics_of_apples_iphone_5_mystery_part_reaffirm_no_nfc_chip.html">according to recent reports</a>.</p></em><p>A few days ago, pictures of some earbuds that were said to be part of Apple's new design emerged. They have a totally new look, and might be built with comfort in mind, as the current earbuds have been criticized for being uncomfortable.</p> <P> <p><strong>Probability:</strong> <em>We can't know this for sure. Most of the other rumors are as good as confirmed. Let's go with yes: Apple hasn't updated the earbuds in about five years, and it loves to overhaul its gear every so often.</p> <P> <p>(Image credit: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tinhte.vn/threads/1485894/">Tinh te</a>.)</em></p> <P><p>The metal backplate is another feature we've seen in leaked photos and videos. This is entirely reasonable, and would not only allow for a unibody-type design if Apple chose it, but would eliminate the glass back of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, which are prone to shattering when dropped. It would mean a lighter phone, extra durability--and fewer angry customers with broken phones.</p> <P> <p><strong>Probability:</strong> <em>We say it's happening. There have been enough photos and video leaks to orove it's true.</p> <P> <p>(Image credit: chrisbrownie91 on YouTube.)</em></p> <P><p>Headphone jack moved to bottom of phone, centered FaceTime camera, and an extra microphone on the back--all are largely cosmetic changes we've seen in one leak after another. The headphone jack is down near the charging dock, the FaceTime camera looks to be centered at the top of the phone, and there is an extra microphone on the back of the phone, between the rear-facing camera and the flash. The extra mic is said to help with noise cancellation.</p> <P> <p><strong>Probability:</strong> <em>We say it's going to happen. Photos don't lie, unless they've been Photoshopped.</p> <P> <p>(Image credit: chrisbrownie91 on YouTube.)</em></p> <P>2012-08-27T15:51:00ZReports from typically reliable sources say that the Sept. 12 Apple event will be the debut of the iPhone 5. The rumored iPad Mini won't be released until a later event, so that Apple can get to dominate the news cycle twice.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240006305?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Apple will reveal a smaller iPad at an event separate from the next-generation iPhone announcement. This is contrary to previous rumors and reports, which indicated that the new tablet and phone would be unveiled at the same event.</p> <P> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://allthingsd.com/20120825/confirmed-new-ipad-mini-will-debut-in-october-after-latest-iphones-september-bow/">The latest report</a> comes from AllThingsD. In the past, it and the <em>Wall Street Journal</em> have been so accurate with Apple rumors, we swear Kara Swisher must have some incriminating photos of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.apple.com/pr/bios/jonathan-ive.html">Jony Ive</a> on hand.</p> <P> <p>Apart from the upcoming iPhone event, which is rumored to be dated for Sept. 12, with a release on Sept. 21, Apple is said to be planning a separate announcement of a smaller iPad, nicknamed iPad Mini by the press.</p> <P> <p>The rumored tablet is said to have a screen size of approximately seven inches, and will be comparable in size to tablets such as Amazon's Kindle Fire. However, if past reports are accurate, it will maintain the aspect ratio of the current-generation iPad, meaning it should be slightly wider than competing 7-inch tablets.</p> <P> <p>AllThingsD also points to speculation by John Gruber of Daring Fireball, who argues that the iPhone is too popular to share its announcement with another Apple device. "Why share the spotlight?" he asked in <a target="_blank" href="http://daringfireball.net/2012/08/sharing_the_stage">a recent blog post</a>. Apple would not want reviews of both devices to hit the Internet at the same time.</p> <P> <p>AllThingsD's sources say that with two distinct events, Apple will be able to take full advantage of two separate product announcements just before the holiday season.</p> <P> <p>In typical fashion, mum is the word for Apple.</p>2012-07-31T09:00:00ZThe FreedomPop case for the iPod Touch gives it 4G connectivity and the company provides a free plan. Add a VoIP service like Skype and you've got the equivalent of an iPhone. The case is actually a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot that supports up to eight other devices.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240004625?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Soon, 4G connectivity from your iPod Touch will be possible with a new case called <a target="_blank" href="http://www.freedompop.com/">FreedomPop</a>. The company claims its product turns Apple's portable device into an iPhone, but ditches the contract. FreedomPop provides the free 4G service. <em>BYTE</em> spoke with FreedomPop VP of product Mauricio Sastre to find out just how it will offer 4G data connectivity to iPod Touch users for free.</p> <P> <a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/FreedomPop-front-and-back.jpg"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/FreedomPop-front-and-back-452.jpg" /></a> <P> <p>The plan would be similar to that of Dropbox or Skype in the sense that the company hopes power users will help subsidize the cost of providing free service to casual users. Users will be guaranteed 500MB free, and could earn additional megabytes, up to a gigabyte. Going over that would result in an overage fee. The company also plans an earned economy, similar to a Facebook game in which users gain credit for certain actions, such as adding friends to their network. <P> <p>FreedomPop will have three revenue streams. The first is the cost of the case itself, which will cost $99. The second will be value-added "<a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemium">freemium</a>" services. These work by offering the initial service free, but giving users additional options &#224; la carte. For now, Sastre said he couldn't reveal exactly what those add-ons would be.</p> <P> <p>Finally, there are the overage charges for users over their data limit. The details for these charges are still being worked out, but FreedomPop plans to charge roughly $10 a month per GB.</p> <P> <p>The service will be available in 40 major markets to about 130 million people, according to Sastre. "It echoes the coverage of Clearwire's network," said Sastre. (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.clearwire.com/company/our-company">Click here for a list of markets supported.</a>)</p> <P> <p>When asked if he consider carriers such as AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon to be competition, Sastre said, "In some cases more so than others. For example, with Sprint--we just signed a big deal with Sprint--and they are going to be our LTE provider, so we look at them as a partner, and we look at ourselves as a retail channel for Sprint. That's not an adversarial, or a directly competitive relationship."</p> <P> <p>However, he adds that customers may choose their data plan rather than pick up a Sprint handset, and in that sense it can be competitive. He considers Verizon and AT&T direct competition.</p> <P> <p>Although FreedomPop plans to launch on Clearwire's data network, it ultimately willl transition to Sprint's LTE network as the network goes fully online.</p> <P> <p>The sleeve itself does not have any direct impact on the iPod Touch's battery life. It would be the equivalent of using the device in your home Wi-Fi network, according to Sastre. Essentially, the device is a mobile hotspot that your iPod Touch is housed in.</p> <P> <p>FreedomPop will hit the market sometime in the next two months, said Stastre. It will begin with a 60-day soft launch during which kinks will be worked out, then proceed to a full launch. It will work with third- and fourth-generation iPod Touch models, but up to eight other Wi-Fi-capable devices can be used through the mobile hotspot.</p> <P> <iframe width="452" height="254" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SKWY4ZMjVwg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>2012-07-30T15:48:00ZIf reports are accurate, Apple will announce and release its larger-screened iPhone and smaller-screened iPad in September, weeks earlier than expected.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240004603?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>If reports are accurate, we might get our first look at Apple's next iPhone in about seven weeks. According to the website iMore, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.imore.com/apple-iphone-5-and-ipad-mini-event-planned-september-12-iphone-5-release-date-september-21">Apple will announce the new iPhone on Sept. 12</a>. The new phone is said to be scheduled for release nine days after that, on Friday, Sept. 21.</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/iPad-mini-iPhone5.jpg" /><div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#990000; font-weight:bold;font-style: roman; text-align:right;">Image Credit: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ciccaresedesign.com">Ciccarese Design</a></div> <P> <p>The rumor deserves attention because iMore nailed the March 7 date of the third-generation iPad announcement a full month ahead of time. It was also one of the first to report that the tablet would have 4G LTE capability.</p> <P> <p>Along with the announcement of the iPhone 5--or whatever Apple decides to call it--we can expect to see an iPad Mini and a new iPod Touch. The rest of the iPod line might be updated as well, but the Touch was the only model mentioned by the iMore report.</p> <P> <p>The iPad Mini, which is reported to have a 7-inch screen with an aspect ratio that matches that of the current-generation iPads, does not have a date pinned to it. iMore says it's possible that the tablet will be released on the same day as the iPhone, but the site does not have specifics.</p> <P> <p>It was originally speculated that Apple would be announcing the new iPhone in October, as it did last year with the iPhone 4s. That seems to have changed. Whether as part of Apple's original plan, or because of a decline in sales due to potential customers awaiting the release of the next-generation iPhone, it seems that we will see the next iPhone sooner than expected.</p>2012-07-27T12:54:00ZCould we soon see an iPad or iPhone or Mac from Apple that uses fingerprints for authentication?http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240004472?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>According to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1138830/000119312512318086/d384083d8k.htm">a Thursday SEC filing</a>, Apple has acquired fingerprint security company <a target="_blank" href="http://www.authentec.com/">AuthenTec</a> for $356 million, or $8 a share, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple.</p> <P> <p><div style="margin:0; padding: 0 0 5px 5px; width:130px; float:right; text-align:center;"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/touchsensor.jpg" alt="fingerprint swipe sensor" hspace="0" vspace="0" border="0" /></div>AuthenTec specializes in mobile and network security. More specifically, it makes fingerprint sensors for computers and mobile devices. Apple's intent could be to use such technology in future Macs or iOS devices. This could keep unwanted persons from accessing a user's device, or even make make for a more secure iPhone e-wallet for mobile payments.</p> <P> <p>Attached to the SEC filing is <a target="_blank" href="http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1138830/000119312512318086/d384083dex102.htm">Exhibit 10.2</a>, which explains Apple's expectations of AuthenTec. The company is expected to "provide development services to Apple," reads the document. Furthermore, the document says that the company is expected to develop a 2D fingerprint sensor for Apple that is suitable for use in its products. However, the devices that might make use of the technology are not specified. There is also some speculation that it might be a move by Apple to snatch up the company before a rival such as Samsung did so.</p> <P> <p>The documents reveal that Apple is paying $20 million for the rights to certain patents. The company can further license additional patents for up to an additional $115 million as described below: <blockquote>For the right to acquire such non-exclusive licenses and other rights, Parent will pay the Company $20.0 million. Parent will have 270 days from the date of the IP Agreement to choose, in its sole discretion, to license certain hardware technology and patents and/or certain software technology and patents on a perpetual, non-exclusive basis for an aggregate sum of up to $115.0 million.</blockquote> The acquisition is unlikely to mean anything for the highly-anticipated next-generation iPhone but might mean changes for Apple devices in 2013 or further down the line.</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/Fingerprint.png" />2012-07-12T14:12:00ZLeaked photos of what appears to be an Apple iPhone 5 engineering prototype on the site GottaBeMobile.com confirms earlier rumors of a larger screen. Questions about battery life, materials, and the location of certain controls remain unanswered.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240003628?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>A leaked photo of an iPhone 5 engineering sample reaffirms previous reports of a slightly larger screen. According to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/07/10/exclusive-iphone-5-engineering-sample-photos-direct-from-china/">GottaBeMobile.com</a>, which obtained the shots from a source it deems reliable, this image comes directly from a factory in China.</p> <P> <a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/iPhone-5-Prototype/iPhone-5-Prototype-back.jpg"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/iPhone-5-Prototype/iPhone-5-Prototype-back-452.jpg" /></a><div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#990000; font-weight:bold;font-style: italic; text-align:right;">Prototype front. Credit: GottaBeMobile.com</div> <P> <p>The next iPhone will feature a larger screen that's close to a widescreen's 16:9 aspect ratio. This will make for a taller iPhone that maintains the width of the current models, but might be slightly thinner with a smaller bezel.</p> <P> <p>A redesign means that this is the first major change to the handset since the introduction of the iPhone 4.</p> <P> <p>The iPhone 5 has a camera lens similar in size and placement to the iPhone 4S, but adds a microphone between the camera and the flash. According to GottaBeMobile.com, this microphone will help capture audio better during video recording as well as help with noise-reduction during calls.</p> <P> <p>Worth noting is that the back plate of the upcoming iPhone is rumored to be metal. It seems that it's sectioned (image below), and could be made up of more than one material.</p> <P> <a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/iPhone-5-Prototype/iPhone-5-Prototype-Front.jpg"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/iPhone-5-Prototype/iPhone-5-Prototype-Front-452.jpg" /></a><div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#990000; font-weight:bold;font-style: italic; text-align:right;">Prototype rear. Credit: GottaBeMobile.com</div> <P> <p>Unfortunately, the images provided do not tell us much other than the size and placement of some of the external components of the next-generation iPhone. It's impossible to know what materials the final product will be made of, or what the color scheme will be for the back panel.</p> <P> <p>The iPhone 5 is expected to be a 4G LTE phone. The larger case might give Apple room for a larger battery, which should mean better battery life. However, this will be offset by the bigger power draw of a larger screen and the LTE connection. Unless Apple releases a phone that's all battery, we probably can't expect much beyond what its current-generation handsets offer.</p> <P> <p>Other reports point to a slightly smaller dock connector. If accurate, the new handset will have a magnetic charge port similar to Apple's MagSafe connections found on the MacBook line. This redesign would also mean more space for other internal components, but might force users to purchase new accessories for their iOS devices as the previous connectors would no longer work without an adapter of some kind.</p> <P> <p>The iPhone 5 has been running through the Apple rumor mill for a couple of years now, and the initial showing of the iPhone 4S seemed to disappoint those awaiting a redesign. It's expected to be unveiled this fall alongside the release of iOS 6.</p>2012-07-05T14:48:00ZDevelopers and users of some of the App Store's most popular apps for iOS were having major issues over the Fourth of July holiday. Apps, such as InstaPaper and Angry Birds, would crash on launch after an App Store update. apple, ios, app store, update, instapaperhttp://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240003174?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Developers and users of some of the App Store's most popular apps for iOS were having major issues over the Fourth of July holiday.</p> <P> <p><div style="margin:0; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width:220px; float:right; text-align:center;"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/Instapaper-Logo-200.jpg" alt="App Store logo - broken" hspace="0" vspace="0" border="0" /></div>Applications such as Instapaper suddenly began crashing after an App Store update, as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.marco.org/2012/07/04/app-store-corrupt-binaries">the app's developer, Marco Arment, noticed</a>.</p> <P> <p>His 4.2.3 update to Instapaper was submitted to Apple, and worked without a hitch. However, as soon as it went public, users couldn't get it to launch. It would crash immediately. Stranger yet, was the fact that several hours later, the app was working for people who downloaded the update. Apps like Angry Birds Space HD Free and GoodReader for iPad saw the same issue (as well as at least 40 other apps that Arment knew of), and later started working suddenly as if nothing had happened with no explanation or clarification from Apple.</p> <P> <p>Those who downloaded the applications during the short period of time that the updates were faulty, will have to delete the app and reinstall it. Not a huge hassle with iOS, but still a problem that many users don't expect to face within the confines of Apple's walled garden.</p> <P> <p><div style="margin:0; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width:220px; float:left; text-align:center;"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-July/App-Store-Logo-Broken-200.jpg" alt="Instapaper Logo" hspace="0" vspace="0" border="0" /></div>Apple has yet to comment on the matter, and they usually don't. However, there is a bigger problem here.</p> <P> <p>Developers work hard to create enjoyable, bug-free applications. In this case, many of them did. The applications were at the very least functional. However, some sort of error on Apple's end caused several otherwise bug-free apps to stop working. Arment believes that it was most likely some sort of server bug in Apple's content distribution network for the iOS App Store.</p> <P> <p>Now, many of those developers are having to explain to their users that the problem was on Apple's end, and that the application updates are in fact working. Sadly, that's difficult to do with millions of potential users. Many of them don't keep up with the technology news, and don't read about App updates. They see the little red update circle, and they know it's time to update their applications. Of course Apple wants it to be that easy, but it has its consequences.</p> <P> <p>Many of those users trust that things will just work. However, we learned that faulty apps do sometimes make it through Apple's system. </p> <P>2012-06-18T20:11:00ZAn app with the name "Microsoft Word 2012" was approved and available in the Apple app store for a short while. This sort of thing is rare, but does raise questions about Apple's procedures. app store, Super Racing Real Games, Microsoft Word 2012http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240002275?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Apple has removed a fake Microsoft Word 2012 app from the App Store after it was mistakenly given the okay during the app approval process. </p> <P> <p>Apple takes pride in the security of their "walled garden," but sometimes bad applications sneak through the cracks. This application was given the go-ahead and sat at the App Store for a short while before finally being pulled down.</p> <P> <p><TABLE><TR><TD><img align="Right" src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012_June/Microsoft-Word-2012-400x600.png" /></TD></TR> <TR><TD><div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#990000; font-weight:bold;font-style: italic; text-align:right;">Image courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="http://betanews.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-word-2012-appears-in-ios-app-store-but-you-dont-want-to-buy-it/">Betanews</a></div></TD></TR></TABLE></p> <P> <p>Reading the description will tell you that it's likely a user guide of some sort. However, the icon and the name of the application make it misleading, and it seems intentionally so.</p> <P> <p>The developer is listed as "Super Racing Real Games," not Microsoft. This does lead to questions about how tight Apple's approval process is when it comes to some of these applications.</p> <P> <p>Of course the fake MS Word app was removed from the App Store, but we don't imagine it went without at least a few purchases. At $9.99, that can lead to some angry customers who trust that Apple is more careful than to allow bogus applications through the gates.</p> <P> <p>While there have been some fake applications in the past that made it through Apple's approval process, most of those had secret features that made them much less obvious, such as applications with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9223833/iPhone_app_includes_hidden_tethering">hidden tethering abilities</a>.</p> <P> <p>We've reached out to Apple and are awaiting comment.</p> <P> <p>Hat tip to <a href="http://betanews.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-word-2012-appears-in-ios-app-store-but-you-dont-want-to-buy-it/">BetaNews</a>. </p>2012-06-11T18:35:00ZApple's WWDC 2012 keynote on Monday was full of product announcements, most of which have been rumored for some time now. They included a new, thinner MacBook Pro with a Retina Display; a MacBook Air update; and iOS 6 with a smarter Siri and new mapping app, among other enhancements.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240001868?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Apple's WWDC 2012 keynote on Monday was full of new announcements from the Cupertino company. Much of what was announced had been rumored for some time already, such as a new, thinner MacBook Pro with a Retina Display, a MacBook Air update, and iOS 6 with new maps and many other enhancements.</p> <P> <p>Here's what's new in the world of Apple.</p> <P> <p STYLE="font-size: large; font-weight:bold; ">MacBook Air Update</p> <P> <p>The MacBook Air still has the same exterior design, but the inside has received an overhaul.</p> <P> <p>The 11-inch Air starts at $999 and $1,099. The flash storage didn't get a bump--it remains at 64GB and 128GB, respectively. The change here is in the processor, which is now a 1.7-GHz dual-core Intel Core i5. It's loaded with 4GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000, and a 720p FaceTime camera.</p> <P> <p>The 15-inch MacBook Air will come with 128GB of storage, upgradable to 256GB. The processor is a 1.8-GHz dual-core Intel Core i5. Like the 11-inch Air, it also has 4GB of memory, an Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics card, and a 720p FaceTime camera.</p> <P> <p STYLE="font-size: large; font-weight:bold; ">New MacBook Pro Models</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012_June/new-macbook-pros.jpg" /> <P> <p>The 13-inch MacBook Pro comes in two flavors. Both have a 1280 x 800 display.</p> <P> <p>The specs for the base model are as follows: 2.5GHz dual-core i5 processor, 4GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 500GB hard drive, seven-hour battery life, .95 inches thick, 4.5 pounds. It starts at $1,199. </p> <P> <p>For those who want a slight spec bump, the 13-inch MacBook Pro can be had with a 2.9-GHz dual-core i7 processor and a 750GB hard drive instead, for $1,499. </p> <P> <p>The 15-inch model starts at $1,799 for the base model. A step up from that will run you $2,199. </p> <P> <p>Here's what $1,800 will get you: a 2.3-GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory, and a 500GB hard drive. The 15-inch model is just as slim--.95 inches thick--as the 13-inch MacBook Pro.</p> <P> <p>Opting for a $2,200 MacBook Pro will score you a 2.6-GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory, and a 750GB hard drive.</p> <P> <p STYLE="font-size: large; font-weight:bold; ">MacBook Pro with Retina Display</p></p> <P> <br>This is the first major MacBook Pro redesign in several years. The new laptop is now thinner, at .71 inches, and equipped with a Retina Display that has an 2880 x 1880 resolution, giving it a pixel density of 220ppi. Both models have a 720p FaceTime HD camera. They add USB 3 and a newer, thinner MagSafe 2 connector.</p> <P> <p>The base model starts at $2,199, and has a 2.3-GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor. It has 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L memory, 256GB of flash memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Nvidia GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory, and automatic graphics switching.</p> <P> <p>The $2,799 model features a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, and 512GB of flash storage.</p> <P> <p>All the Apple laptops begin shipping today.</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/commentary/2012-June/wwdc2012-june-11-15.jpg" /> <P> <p STYLE="font-size: large; font-weight:bold; ">Mountain Lion</p> <P> <p><b>Game Center</b></p> <P> <br>Mountain Lion is getting Game Center. This will allow users to play games with each other across multiple platforms, such as iOS and Mac OS.</p> <P> <p><b>Messages</b></p> <P> <br>Messages, which has been in beta for a few months now, lets users send messages to iPhone users and iPad users the way they would SMS. This will work across all Apple devices.</p> <P> <p><b>Notifications</b></p> <P> <br>The new notification center will work much like the OS X app Growl. It brings pop-up notifications to the top-right corner of the screen. If you ignore it, it just goes away. However, you can check all your notifications quickly through the app.</p> <P> <p><b>Dictation</b></p> <P> <br>This brings Apple's dictation software to the Mac. It's similar to what's on the new iPad. This is not to be confused with Siri, which is more of a personal assistant.</p> <P> <p><b>Search in Launchpad</b></p> <P> <br>Users can now search through Apple's Launchpad.</p> <P> <p><b>Pricing</b></p> <P> <br>No release date was announced for Mountain Lion, but the pricing will entice buyers at $19. That's a $10 drop from last year's Lion OS.</p> <P><p STYLE="font-size: large; font-weight:bold; ">iOS 6</p> <P> <p>iOS 6, which arrives this fall, will add several new features to Apple's mobile operating system.</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012_June/ios6-apps.jpg" /> <P> <p><b>New Maps app</b></p> <P> <br>This was heavily reported and rumored before the announcement. Apple is getting away from Google Maps and introducing its own Maps app. This one offers turn-by-turn navigation, a feature that was missing from the previous maps application. There is Siri integration, so you can ask it something along the lines of "Are we there yet?" and it responds with an approximation of the estimated arrival time.</p> <P> <p>The maps are vector-based, which makes zooming in and out faster and cleaner. Say farewell to pixelation. The new Maps app also adds a 3D mode.</p> <P> <p><b>FaceTime over cellular</b></p> <P> <br>Back when FaceTime was announced on the iPhone 4, Steve Jobs said that it would work only over Wi-Fi through 2010. Nothing was said about cellular. However, Apple has now announced FaceTime over cellular. This might also be an indication that it will soon be releasing a 4G LTE-capable phone--at least in time for iOS 6. That's not to say it can't work over 3G, but 4G has plenty of speed.</p> <P> <p><b>PassBook</b></p> <P> <br>PassBook is something of a digital wallet. It stores things such as movie tickets and airplane tickets. It's also location based. This means that, for example, if you have movie tickets stored on it, and you drive to the theater, PassBook will put the ticket up on your lock screen.</p> <P> <p>For travelers, it will notify you of any changes in your flight schedule.</p> <P> <p><b>Enhanced Siri</b></p> <P> <br>New Siri features include telling you game scores, or player stats. It will also let you make reservations through OpenTable, check out places through Yelp, or ask what movies are playing at the theater.</p> <P> <p>One of the biggest updates would have to be app launching. Siri will now launch apps for you. Siri will also be integrated into cars, which will help keep drivers' attention on the road.</p> <P> <p><b>Facebook integration</b></p> <P> <br>Facebook integration is also part of the new iOS. For instance, events and birthdays will be added to your iOS calendar if you link your device to Facebook. This is done by logging into Facebook on your iOS device, much like you do with the Twitter integration.</p> <P> <p><b>Call back later</b></p> <P> <br>You can set your device up to ignore incoming calls, but remind you to call those people back later. This is especially useful for driving or meetings. You can also respond to someone directly by SMS, rather than having to call them back.</p> <P> <p><b>Pull to refresh in email</b></p> <P> <br>This new feature gives you the ability to pull down while in your email app to refresh the screen, and see if you have received any new messages. This is similar to hitting the refresh button at the bottom-right corner of the current email app. </p> <P> <p>They also made a quick mention of these additional features, but didn't take the time to highlight them: better privacy settings, a feature in Game Center called Challenges that lets you send a message to a friend challenging them in a game, and something called Lost Mode, which sends a phone number to your device, and when someone finds it, they can tap to call it back and help you recover your iOS device.</p> <P> <p><b>Compatibility and availability</b></p> <P> <br>iOS 6 ships this fall, and will work with the iPhone 3GS and later, as well as the iPad 2 and the third-generation iPad. The original iPad doesn't get this update. Developers can get their hands on the beta today.</p> <P> <p><b>Now the wait for the iPhone</b></p> <P> <br>The laptops were the only hardware addition to the Apple line of products. There were mentions of Apple's long-rumored HDTV or even a sneak peak at the next iPhone. Chances are it's not going to happen. However, with iOS 6 coming this fall, it gives us all a pretty good idea of when we can expect Apple's next handset to arrive.</p>2012-05-30T14:02:00ZIf the latest leak stories are to be believed, the iPhone 5--or whatever Apple calls the next iPhone--will be a longer device and have a cool new 3D Maps app. Here's the scoop.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240001185?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p> Parts of what might be Apple's next iPhone have been surfacing for some time. However, the frequency of these leaks has been on the rise in the last month. </p> <P> <p>Assuming these stories are accurate, we can begin to picture what the next iPhone might look like. The increase in leaked parts also tells us that Apple is likely to begin manufacturing the handset very soon, so it can have millions ready in time for a holiday season launch.</p> <P> <p>Whether Apple will call it the iPhone 5, iPhone 6, or something else is unclear at this point. Remember, it dropped that naming convention with the new iPad. The photos appearing in the leaked stories show that the upcoming device will be flat, similar to the current iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S design. The device is noticeably taller, and has an aluminum backplate. Some users have criticized the glass back of the current design because it shatters easily if the handset is dropped. Perhaps Apple hopes to make this design a bit more durable.</p> <P> <p><strong>The back</strong> <br>New photos of what is reported to be the next iPhone's backplate have surfaced on the Internet. They show the elongated design that is in line with reports of an iPhone with close to a 16:9 aspect ratio.</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-May/iPhoneParts/iPhone_BackPlate_1.png" /> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-May/iPhoneParts/iPhone_Backplate_2.jpeg" /> <P> <div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#990000; font-weight:bold;font-style: italic;">Source: 9to5Mac</div> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-May/iPhoneParts/iPhoneBackplate_3.jpg" /> <P> <div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#990000; font-weight:bold;font-style: italic;">Source: uBreakiFix.com</div> <P> <p><strong>The front</strong> <br>Leaked photos of the front panel tell us two things: 1) It's flat--that kills any speculation that it might have a curved front a la the Samsung Galaxy S series--and 2) there is a home button, and it resembles the current one. </p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-May/iPhoneParts/iPhoneFront.png" /> <P> <div style="margin:4px 0 0 0; padding:0; color:#990000; font-weight:bold;font-style: italic;">Source: 9to5Mac</div> <P> <p><strong>Smaller dock connector and moved headphones jack?</strong> <br>The photos also reveal a change in the dock connector. It is much smaller than Apple's current 30-pin connector, which has been part of Apple's devices for quite some time now. This presents a few challenges as users of these devices will have to buy new docks and chargers. It's not unheard of as Apple's older devices used Firewire, which was eventually phased out. Perhaps they plan a similar move with the current design.</p> <P> <p>It also looks as if the headphone jack has been moved to the bottom. Maybe it will be useful for newly-designed iPhone docks.</p> <P> <p><strong>What about the iOS?</strong> <br>On the software side, we can see that Apple might be planning a new 3-D Maps app in iOS 6 (see below). This rumor has been reported before, but this time we have pictures. <a href="http://www.bgr.com/2012/05/29/apple-maps-ios-6-3d-summer/">They come from none other than BoyGeniusReport (BGR)</a>, which has a pretty good track record when it comes to iOS. That said, whatever its source is, it must be someone within Apple, or a developer who is very close to the company as there is currently nothing in the iOS Dev Center on version 6. Therefore, it's unlikely that iOS 6 will see a release by Apple's World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), which takes place June 11-15.</p> <P> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-May/iPhoneParts/iOS6_Maps_1.jpg" /> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/news/2012-May/iPhoneParts/iOS6_Maps_2.jpg" /> <P> <p>It's also unlikely that Apple will make any mention of a new aspect ratio at the event. Perhaps they will mention a few key features of iOS 6 and keep the rest under wraps.</p> <P> <p><strong>Are these parts real?</strong> <br>It's unclear at this point whether the latest leaks are real parts of a new phone. Many pieces of what were claimed to be <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5826578/could-this-be-the-design-of-the-iphone-5/gallery/1">part of the iPhone 5 leaked last year</a>--and none turned out to be the iPhone 4S.</a></p> <P> <p>That said, it's worth noting that actual pieces do occasionally escape into the wild. Sometimes components leak from overseas. Recently, Apple prototypes, such as this <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404969,00.asp">iPad with two dock connectors</a>, made it into the public eye. </a></p> <P> <p>That's not including iPhones lost in bars.</p>2012-05-29T06:20:00ZOn the hunt for new revenue sources, Facebook is still pursuing a plan to build a Facebook Phone. The details of this device are still unclear. Facebook, android, smartphone, apple, iphone, ipad, zuckerberghttp://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/240001088?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>Reports from multiple sources are indicating that Facebook is at work on a Facebook-branded smartphone. According to the reports, the company has hired a handful of former Apple engineers who worked on the iPhone, including one who worked on the iPad.</p> <P> <p>Speaking under the condition of anonymity, several employees of Facebook, including engineers on staff and others familiar with Facebook's plans <a target="_blank" href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/facebook-tries-tries-again-on-a-smartphone/?ref=technology#">told the New York Times' Bits blog</a> that the company is looking to release a smartphone by 2013.</p> <P> <p>At least one Apple engineer who worked on the iPhone is said to have spoken with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg directly about the inner-workings of a smartphone.</p> <P> <p>It turns out that this isn't the first time Facebook has tried to create a smartphone. <a target="_blank" href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/19/facebook-is-secretly-building-a-phone/">It was reported by TechCrunch in 2010</a> that they were trying to build a Facebook-branded smartphone. However, it didn't pan out, because the company originally thought that they could take on the hardware design with no outside help.</p> <P> <p>They learned otherwise, and in 2011, according to AllThingsD, they <a target="_blank" href="http://allthingsd.com/20111121/the-facebook-phone-its-finally-real-and-its-name-is-buffy/">teamed up with cell phone maker HTC for a handset code named "Buffy."</a> A later report says Facebook is <a target="_blank" href="http://allthingsd.com/20120425/facebooks-buffy-phone-yep-its-still-happening/">still working on "Buffy."</a> </p> <P> <p>Facebook is being so careful with this secret that they are not posting job listings for it, instead finding the people they feel are suited for the job and contacting them personally about the project.</p> <P> <p>When asked about the handset, Facebook restated the company line they offered AllThingsD last year, that they "are working across the entire mobile industry; with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers and application developers." In other words, they didn't offer a denial or a confirmation.</p> <P> <p>According to one Facebook employee, "Mark [Zuckerberg] is worried that if he doesn't create a mobile phone in the near future that Facebook will simply become an app on other mobile platforms."</p> <P> <p>One thing we don't know is the operating system Facebook's supposed phone will run on. Will it be a variation of Android, or something built in-house? There is no mention of this in the New York Times blog, but AllThingsD says that it will be based on Android. Whether it's a fork of Android, like Amazon.com created with the Kindle Fire, or a more conventional implementation, is not clear. </p> <P> <p>It's also important to note that Facebook is now a publicly traded company, and they will be pressured to find more sources of revenue. With the mobile industry growing as rapidly as it is, it's an ideal market to step into.</p>2012-04-25T13:30:00ZApple gets filthy rich selling devices made by oppressed workers in abusive environments. Does it have to be this way? Well, yeah, maybe it does.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/232900949?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>As most of us very well know, our iPhones and iPads, as well as most of our consumer electronics, are made in China. This is where factories such as Foxconn's iPad and iPhone manufacturing facilities are located. <a target="_blank" href="http://ifixit.org/1856/why-the-ipad-has-to-be-made-in-china/">iFixit recently took a look into why the devices are built in China.</a> There isn't any one reason, rather a combination of factors that come into play as to why your favorite 10-inch tablet is built there.</p> <P> <p>A recent academic "working paper" from the Centre for Research on Socio-Cultural Change (CRESC) at the University of Manchester in the UK entitled <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cresc.ac.uk/publications/apple-business-model-financialization-across-the-pacific">Apple Business Model: Financialization across the Pacific</a> takes the position that Apple could still profitably manufacture the iPhone in the U.S. Two graphs from the paper show how they get to this position after a lot of social science gobbledygook:</p> <P> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/commentary/2012-April/iphone4-cost-model-china-big.png"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/commentary/2012-April/iphone4-cost-model-china-452.png" /></a> <br /> <a target="_blank" href="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/commentary/2012-April/iphone4-cost-model-USA-big.png"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/commentary/2012-April/iphone4-cost-model-USA-452.png" /></a></p> <P> <p>Note that the reference to the "iPhone 4G" appears to be erroneous. Based on their sources they must be referring to what we call the iPhone 4.</p> <P> <p>The thrust of these graphs, assuming the accuracy of the numbers in them, is that Apple could manufacture the iPhone in the U.S. for about a 35% drop in margins. Setting aside the question of whether this is in shareholders' interests, the model assumes each unit costs eight hours of labor at $21 an hour. The report says $21 an hour is the average in the electronics industry and does not explain the eight-hour number.</p> <P> <p>As iFixit notes, labor is cheap in China. For instance, minimum wage at China's Hongkai Electronics in 2010 was $138 a month. In the U.S., minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, or $1160 a month based on a 40-hour work week, with higher numbers in some states.</p> <P> <p>iFixit also points to the environmental regulations, which are much looser in China than in the U.S. China was rated 116 out of 132 countries on Yale's 2012 Environmental Performance Index.</p> <P> <p>Then, of course, there is plenty of manpower in China. Foxconn is said to have about 1.2 million employees, and <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/232600788?cid=SBX_byte_related_video_Tablets&itc=SBX_byte_related_video_Tablets">400,000 of those work in the factory that drew media attention</a> for suicides. That's a lot of people for one factory. Luckily, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=china's+population&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8">China has about 1.3 billion people</a>, and lots of them are looking for work. <a target="_blank" href="http://micgadget.com/21420/thousands-line-up-for-foxconns-jobs-in-zhengzhou/">Guess where they go? Foxconn.</a></p> <P> <p>But the academic model also assumes that the materials would cost the same in the U.S. as in China, and this turns out not to be true. One of the biggest and less obvious reasons that your iPad was built in China is natural resources. The iPad and other electronics, including much "green technology," make extensive use of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_earths">rare earths</a>, a group of 17 elements that aren't really all that rare, but can be difficult and expensive to mine. </p> <P> <p>The measures necessary to make the elements economically extractable create environmental problems that run into fewer legal obstacles in China than in many other countries. As told in the iFixit article, China is a substantial source for these materials and has strict export quotas on them. As much as 97% of the world's supply of such materials is controlled by China, says the report, but electronic companies can bypass such quotas, in turn keeping prices down, by keeping the manufacturing--you guessed it--in China.</p> <P> <p>The bottom line is that manufacturing the iPhone in the U.S. or any other western country with modern environmental legislation and labor rules would cut the profitability of the device precipitously. And slashed profits is not why companies like Apple make products like the iPhone.</p> <P>2012-04-20T15:48:00ZKickstarter is a "crowd funding" web site where people show off their ideas and ask for funding. There are plenty of good and bad ideas, but we're going to focus on 6 that caught our eye.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/232900598?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_Authors<p>In recent years Kickstarter has made it possible for inventors with limited budgets to share their ideas with the world and acquire the funding necessary to make their inventions a reality.</p> <P> <p>Ideas are great, but they're worthless if they can't be used. Having the means to turn inventions into something that consumers can see and touch is what really counts. That's the purpose of Kickstarter. Got a great idea? <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/start">Create a Kickstarter account</a> and pitch the idea to the masses. If people are interested, they might donate money to the project. If you meet your set monetary target, you go through with it. If not, the backers--those contributing money--do not lose out, because the project is canned. The process also gives inventors a sense of whether their ideas are worth pursuing.</p> <P> <p>We've taken a look at some current Kickstarter projects, and present the six best ones here. </p> <P> <H3><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/449163977/galileo-your-ios-in-motion?ref=live">Galileo</a></H3> <p>This is a very cool concept. It's an iPhone mount that you control with a second iOS device. The mount lets you pan and tilt the iPhone. The possibilities are endless. Swipe your iPad to pan the iPhone's camera a full 360 degrees while chatting on FaceTime. Use your iPhone as an iPad-controlled baby monitor.</p> <P> <iframe frameborder="0" height="339px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/449163977/galileo-your-ios-in-motion/widget/video.html" width="452px"></iframe> <P> <H3><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1404403369/geode-from-icache?ref=live">Geode</a></H3> <p>This specially outfitted iPhone case removes the need to carry around a bunch of individual credit cards. Record the information from your Visa, MasterCard, and other cards by swiping each card through the case's reader. Then, when you want to use one of your credit cards, temporarily put its information on the blank card that comes with the Geode. The Geode has a few interesting safety features. For instance, only the user's fingerprint can activate the cards. The makers say the Geode eliminates the need to cancel credit cards if it's lost or stolen.</p> <P> <iframe frameborder="0" height="339px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1404403369/geode-from-icache/widget/video.html" width="452px"></iframe> <P> <H3><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1880431311/odoc-iphone-and-ipod-dock-elegant-design-superior">ODOC</a></H3> <p>This is a simple iPhone and iPod dock. It lets you charge and sync or connect your iOS device to a stereo through the line out. This dock isn't anything out of the ordinary except for one cool feature: its ability to tilt to any viewing angle, which is useful for FaceTime. </p> <P> <iframe frameborder="0" height="339px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1880431311/odoc-iphone-and-ipod-dock-elegant-design-superior/widget/video.html" width="452px"></iframe> <P><H3><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/juicetank/juicetank-the-first-ever-iphone-charger-and-case-i?ref=live">Juicetank</a></H3> <p>The Juicetank case is one of the most interesting iPhone case ideas we've seen. It has a built-in plug that you can pop into an outlet to charge your iPhone on the go. It can entirely replace the need for your iPhone charger, especially now that iOS allows for Wi-Fi or iCloud syncing.</p> <P> <iframe frameborder="0" height="339px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/juicetank/juicetank-the-first-ever-iphone-charger-and-case-i/widget/video.html" width="452px"></iframe> <P> <H3><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/740785012/touchfire-the-screen-top-keyboard-for-ipad/posts">TouchFire: The Screen-Top Keyboard for iPad</a></H3> <p>TouchFire is a soft physical keyboard that you can lay over the virtual iPad keyboard. Typing feels more natural, and if you want to be able to use your entire screen again, you just roll the pliable TouchFire keyboard up and out of the way.</p> <P> <p><iframe frameborder="0" height="339px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/740785012/touchfire-the-screen-top-keyboard-for-ipad/widget/video.html" width="452px"></iframe></p> <P> <H3><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-e-paper-watch-for-iphone-and-android">ePaper Watch</a></H3> <p>The Pebble ePaper Watch for iPhone and Android is a pretty wicked little watch. It connects via Bluetooth to your iPhone or Android phone, and allows for a variety of applications. The display is color epaper, so you can see it clearly during the day. It receives messages directly from your iPhone. This means that if someone sends you an important text, you can simply look down at your watch. This company met and exceeded its money-raising goal very quickly, so the ePaper Watch eventually should be available for purchase.</p> <P> <iframe frameborder="0" height="339px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-e-paper-watch-for-iphone-and-android/widget/video.html" width="452px"></iframe> <P> <p>I gave fellow <em>BYTE</em> contributor Ben Gottesman a call. He's a Kickstarter backer for the Pebble ePaper Watch. I asked him what makes a person want to donate $100 to a project by a bunch of guys with an idea and very little of their own money.</p> <P> <p>"There is this element, the technology side of Kickstarter that appeals to the enthusiast that wants to get the coolest thing first," said Gottesman. Whereas gadgets such as the iPad are "available to everyone at once," backers of Kickstarter projects typically get products before anyone else does, as a thank you from the maker.</p> <P> <p>Gottesman said that there is also the "bargain appeal." For instance, he can get his ePaper watch for as little as $100. The product, which has already raised $3.6 million--well over the initial goal--will retail for over $150 when it hits the market. People who contribute to the project are getting a hefty discount.</p> <P> <p>Gottesman explained the feeling of being part of helping a concept become a reality. "You want to see something come into the market, and it's very cool."</p> <P> <p>Still, he added, "the flip side is that you have to be really, really patient on this." He said that many of the projects are not hitting deadlines. "I haven't heard of anyone not being to execute, but there are delays."</p>2012-04-11T15:45:00ZiPhone rumors du jour: a new iPhone with 1GB of RAM and an iPad-like graphics processor, and a new iPod Touch probably on the way.http://www.informationweek.com/byte/news/232900149?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_AuthorsApple is said to be testing a prototype iPhone loaded with 1GB of RAM. According to <a href="http://9to5mac.com/2012/04/09/faster-iphone-with-1gb-of-ram-seeded-internally-ipod-touch-51-in-the-works/">9to5Mac</a>, Apple currently is using the prototype internally cloaked in a shell designed to look like an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S to prevent leaks about the new design. <P> <p><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/byte/commentary/2012-April/iPhone4S.png"></br></p> <P> One gigabyte of RAM is on par with most current smartphones, and is the same amount of RAM the new iPad is equipped with. <P> The prototype also is rumored to house a variation of the A5X chip found in the latest iPad. In fact, it's said that the purpose of the prototype is to test the processor in a handset. As 9to5Mac points out, the A5X is designed for graphics. It helps power the Retina display, which is four times the resolution of the previous iPad models and requires the extra processing power to properly handle the high-fidelity graphics. <P> Also said to be in the works is a new iPod Touch. The device didn't get anything other than a color update in 2011, but it's reported that the portable media player might see a revision as well. This rumor comes from an internal document referencing a device called iPod 5.1. The current model is internally labeled as iPod 4.1. The jump from 4 to 5 indicates a significant upgrade to the device rather than just a simple palette swap. <P> According to 9to5Mac, Apple intends to keep developing the iPod Touch because the App Store and iOS as a gaming platform have seen tremendous growth in recent years. The graphics processing of the A5X chip would likely be a good match for such a popular gaming device. <P> The new devices are expected to arrive some time this year, but no date has been officially set. In 2011, Apple broke its usual trend of introducing a new iPhone mid-summer and a new iPod line in the fall by making both their iPod and iPhone announcements on October 4.