Apple iPhone 6 mobile wallet may support NFC payments: report

Apple plans to enable its next iPhone to become a mobile wallet by allowing owners to securely make mobile payments in a store with the touch of a finger, Bloomberg said on Sunday, citing a person familiar with the situation.

The agreement includes participation by Visa, MasterCard and American Express and will be announced 9 September along with unveiling of the next iPhone, according to the source, who Bloomberg said asked not to be identified because the talks are private.

The new iPhone will simplify mobile payment by including a special communication chip, along with a fingerprint recognition reader that debuted on the most recent iPhone, the source said. Officials could not immediately be reached at Apple, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

With a recent report hinting that the next iPhone and the iWatch will incorporate NFC technology to enable users to pay by touch, we might see NFC being put to some real good use with Apple’s latest iPhone. Apple is working with Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV to add secure NFC into the next iPhone. Financial Times reported that this will allow an iPhone to connect with payment terminals or ticketing systems.

Apple iPhone 6 production affected by screen snag

Suppliers to Apple are scrambling to get enough screens ready for the new iPhone 6 smartphone as the need to redesign a key component disrupted panel production ahead of next month’s expected launch, supply chain sources said.



It’s unclear whether the hiccup could delay the launch or limit the number of phones initially available to consumers, the sources said, as Apple readies larger-screen iPhones for the year-end shopping season amid market share loss to cheaper rivals.

But the issue highlights the risks and challenges that suppliers face to meet Apple’s tough specifications, and comes on the heels of a separate screen technology problem, since resolved, in making thinner screens for the larger iPhone 6 model.

Cupertino, California-based Apple has scheduled a media event for Sept. 9, and many expect it to unveil the new iPhone 6 with both 4.7 inch (11.94 cm) and 5.5 inch (13.97 cm) screens – bigger than the 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5s and 5c.

Two supply chain sources said display panel production suffered a setback after the backlight that helps illuminate the screen had to be revised, putting screen assembly on hold for part of June and July. One said Apple, aiming for the thinnest phone possible, initially wanted to cut back to a single layer of backlight film, instead of the standard two layers, for the 4.7-inch screen, which went into mass production ahead of the 5.5-inch version.

But the new configuration was not bright enough and the backlight was sent back to the drawing board to fit in the extra layer, costing precious time and temporarily idling some screen assembly operations, the source said.

Output is now back on track and suppliers are working flat-out to make up for lost time, the supply chain sources added.

Japan Display Inc, Sharp Corp and South Korea’s LG Display Co Ltd have been selected to make the iPhone 6 screens, the sources said.

Representatives for those three suppliers, and for Apple, declined to comment.

WIDER IMPACT
Apple is known to make tough demands on its parts suppliers for new iPhones and iPads as it competes to create designs, shapes, sizes and features to set it apart and command a premium price in a fiercely competitive gadget market.

This can cause glitches and delays, including screen problems that crimped supplies at last year’s launch of a high-resolution version of Apple’s iPad Mini.

It also highlights the danger for suppliers of depending too heavily on Apple for revenues, creating earnings volatility.

Earlier this month, Japan Display, said to be the lead supplier for the new iPhone panel, said orders for “a large customer” – which analysts said was Apple – arrived as expected, but shipments may be delayed in the July-September quarter.

Japan Display’s reliance on Apple’s cyclical business has spooked some investors. UBS Securities has forecast that Apple will contribute more than a third of the Japanese firm’s total revenue in the year to March 2015. Japan Display’s share price dropped to a 12-week low of 501 yen after first-quarter earnings on Aug. 7 lagged market expectations.

In Taiwan, home to several Apple suppliers and assemblers, export orders grew less than expected in July, even as factories rushed output ahead of new smartphone launches, reflecting the erratic nature of the business.

“Currently, there’s a small shortage in supply of a specialised component for our communication devices,” said a spokesman for Pegatron, which assembles iPhones. “This kind of problem regularly occurs and the impact on production is negligible.”

Supply chain sources had previously said challenges with the new iPhone’s screen in-cell technology, which eliminates one of the layers in the LCD screen to make it thinner, caused a delay in the production of the larger 5.5-inch version. One display industry source said the in-cell issues had now been resolved.

The pressure on Apple for stand-out products has increased as Samsung Electronics Co and, more recently, a clutch of aggressive, lower-cost Chinese producers such as Xiaomi Inc and Lenovo Group Ltd have eroded the U.S. company’s market dominance.

The iPhone 6 unveiling has been widely anticipated to bolster momentum for Apple shares, which have risen by a third, to above $100 each, since the company posted strong first-quarter earnings in late-April.

Apple iPhone 6 production 'hit' after screen snag

Suppliers to Apple Inc are scrambling to get enough screens ready for the new iPhone 6 smartphone as the need to redesign a key component disrupted panel production ahead of next month's expected launch, supply chain sources said.

It's unclear whether the hiccup could delay the launch or limit the number of phones initially available to consumers, the sources said, as Apple readies larger-screen iPhones for the year-end shopping season amid market share loss to cheaper rivals.

But the issue highlights the risks and challenges that suppliers face to meet Apple's tough specifications, and comes on the heels of a separate screen technology problem, since resolved, in making thinner screens for the larger iPhone 6 model.

Cupertino, California-based Apple has scheduled a media event for Sept. 9, and many expect it to unveil the new iPhone 6 with both 4.7 inch (11.94 cm) and 5.5 inch (13.97 cm) screens - bigger than the 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5s and 5c.

Two supply chain sources said display panel production suffered a setback after the backlight that helps illuminate the screen had to be revised, putting screen assembly on hold for part of June and July. One said Apple, aiming for the thinnest phone possible, initially wanted to cut back to a single layer of backlight film, instead of the standard two layers, for the 4.7-inch screen, which went into mass production ahead of the 5.5-inch version.

But the new configuration was not bright enough and the backlight was sent back to the drawing board to fit in the extra layer, costing precious time and temporarily idling some screen assembly operations, the source said.

Output is now back on track and suppliers are working flat-out to make up for lost time, the supply chain sources added.

Japan Display Inc, Sharp Corp and South Korea's LG Display Co Ltd have been selected to make the iPhone 6 screens, the sources said.

Representatives for those three suppliers, and for Apple, declined to comment.

WIDER IMPACT

Apple is known to make tough demands on its parts suppliers for new iPhones and iPads as it competes to create designs, shapes, sizes and features to set it apart and command a premium price in a fiercely competitive gadget market.

This can cause glitches and delays, including screen problems that crimped supplies at last year's launch of a high-resolution version of Apple's iPad Mini.

It also highlights the danger for suppliers of depending too heavily on Apple for revenues, Suppliers to Apple Inc are scrambling to get enough screens ready for the new iPhone 6 smartphone as the need to redesign a key component disrupted panel production ahead of next month's expected launch, supply chain sources said.

It's unclear whether the hiccup could delay the launch or limit the number of phones initially available to consumers, the sources said, as Apple readies larger-screen iPhones for the year-end shopping season amid market share loss to cheaper rivals.

But the issue highlights the risks and challenges that suppliers face to meet Apple's tough specifications, and comes on the heels of a separate screen technology problem, since resolved, in making thinner screens for the larger iPhone 6 model.

Cupertino, California-based Apple has scheduled a media event for Sept. 9, and many expect it to unveil the new iPhone 6 with both 4.7 inch (11.94 cm) and 5.5 inch (13.97 cm) screens - bigger than the 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5s and 5c.

Two supply chain sources said display panel production suffered a setback after the backlight that helps illuminate the screen had to be revised, putting screen assembly on hold for part of June and July. One said Apple, aiming for the thinnest phone possible, initially wanted to cut back to a single layer of backlight film, instead of the standard two layers, for the 4.7-inch screen, which went into mass production ahead of the 5.5-inch version.

But the new configuration was not bright enough and the backlight was sent back to the drawing board to fit in the extra layer, costing precious time and temporarily idling some screen assembly operations, the source said.

Output is now back on track and suppliers are working flat-out to make up for lost time, the supply chain sources added.

Japan Display Inc, Sharp Corp and South Korea's LG Display Co Ltd have been selected to make the iPhone 6 screens, the sources said.

Representatives for those three suppliers, and for Apple, declined to comment.

WIDER IMPACT

Apple is known to make tough demands on its parts suppliers for new iPhones and iPads as it competes to create designs, shapes, sizes and features to set it apart and command a premium price in a fiercely competitive gadget market.

This can cause glitches and delays, including screen problems that crimped supplies at last year's launch of a high-resolution version of Apple's iPad Mini.

It also highlights the danger for suppliers of depending too heavily on Apple for revenues, creating earnings volatility.

Earlier this month, Japan Display, said to be the lead supplier for the new iPhone panel, said orders for "a large customer" - which analysts said was Apple - arrived as expected, but shipments may be delayed in the July-September quarter.

Japan Display's reliance on Apple's cyclical business has spooked some investors. UBS Securities has forecast that Apple will contribute more than a third of the Japanese firm's total revenue in the year to March 2015. Japan Display's share price dropped to a 12-week low of 501 yen after first-quarter earnings on Aug. 7 lagged market expectations.

In Taiwan, home to several Apple suppliers and assemblers, export orders grew less than expected in July, even as factories rushed output ahead of new smartphone launches, reflecting the erratic nature of the business.

"Currently, there's a small shortage in supply of a specialised component for our communication devices," said a spokesman for Pegatron, which assembles iPhones. "This kind of problem regularly occurs and the impact on production is negligible."

Supply chain sources had previously said challenges with the new iPhone's screen in-cell technology, which eliminates one of the layers in the LCD screen to make it thinner, caused a delay in the production of the larger 5.5-inch version. One display industry source said the in-cell issues had now been resolved.

The pressure on Apple for stand-out products has increased as Samsung Electronics Co and, more recently, a clutch of aggressive, lower-cost Chinese producers such as Xiaomi Inc and Lenovo Group Ltd have eroded the U.S. company's market dominance.

The iPhone 6 unveiling has been widely anticipated to bolster momentum for Apple shares, which have risen by a third, to above $100 each, since the company posted strong first-quarter earnings in late-April.

Smartphone at 20: IBM Simon to iPhone 6

It is the device that paved the way for the worldwide smartphone revolution; now, 20 years after going on public sale, the IBM Simon is set to become one of the star attractions at a new exhibition at the Science Museum in London, exploring the history of information and communication technologies.

The Simon took the best technology that handheld computing could offer at the time and combined it with a mobile phone, to create a device that could do much more than simply make phone calls. It was the first mobile phone to feature software applications, or ‘apps’, using a stylus and touchscreen – allowing users to sketch a drawing, update their calendar, write notes, and send and receive faxes.

The unit on display at the Science Museum – as part of its new permanent Information Age gallery, opening on 25 October – was once owned by a project manager for construction works in the United States, who used the Simon to receive, sign off, and return technical drawings by fax, without having to print anything on paper.

However, at a weight of half a kilo, and with a battery life of only an hour, it was impractical as a portable device, and its $899 price tag was prohibitively high for most people. It only worked in the United States, and there was also no mobile internet at the time, so although it was fax-enabled it could not be used to send emails unless it was connected to the web via a PC.

Despite being a commercial flop, the IBM Simon laid the groundwork for a new category of device that combined the functions of mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The word ‘smartphone’ was not coined until the year 2000, when Ericsson launched the R380 – the first device to use the new Symbian mobile operating system.

The smartphone revolution really got going in 2002 with the launch of the Palm OS Treo, featuring both a touchscreen and a full keyboard, and the popular BlackBerry Quark series of smartphones the following year. Manufacturers started adding new features to their mobile devices around the same time, such as MP3 players, cameras, and wireless technology.

However, it was not until 2007, and the launch of Apple’s original iPhone, that consumer interest in the technology began escalating rapidly. The iPhone was the first commercial smartphone to use finger input as its main means of interaction, instead of a stylus, keyboard or keypad. It sold around 6 million units in its first year, and now accounts for around 15 per cent of worldwide market share.

The initial success of the iPhone prompted an explosion of similar devices from mobile phone manufacturers such as HTC, Samsung, LG and Sony. The HTC Dream (or G1), launched in 2008, was the first device to run Google’s Android operating system. Android is now the dominant mobile operating system, with around 85 per cent of worldwide market share.

In 2013, smartphone sales surpassed sales of more basic mobile phone handsets for the first time, thanks to an influx of cheap handsets from Chinese brands spurring growth in developing markets. Analysts predict that smartphone sales will represent 88 percent of global mobile phone sales by 2018.

In just 20 years, smartphones have transformed the way we work, live and play. However, with the rapid growth of tablet PCs, and a new era of wearable devices on the horizon, smartphones will need to keep evolving if they are to maintain their dominance over the next 20 years.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha vs iPhone 6

Samsung's freshly-unveiled Galaxy Alpha is a pretty obvious punt at outdoing Apple's premium approach to design.



While it hasn't been revealed yet, rumours have us left with a pretty good idea of what the iPhone 6 will be like. It also appears like it will launch around the same time as the Galaxy Alpha. So, it's time to get comparing.



Design

Until now, Samsung's approach to design has always been 'the more plastic, the better'. This just doesn't cut it in a world where phones like the HTC One M8 or iPhone 5S exist.

Samsung knows this, so has decided to finally incorporate some more premium materials into its design philosophy. Enter the Galaxy Alpha.

The phone is just 6.7mm thick, which puts it right at the top end of slimmest mobile devices out there. It also uses a metallic wraparound, which gives the phone more of a high-end look.

However, Apple looks to be keeping up its tradition of using as much aluminium as possible. The vast deluge of iPhone 6 leaks all point to a super-slim handset with a glass front and a MacBook-style metallic back.

There is also a rumour that the phone will feature a light-up Apple logo just like that found on the firm's laptops, which, while being largely pointless, is a definite design plus point.

While it's a matter of opinion, if the iPhone 6 turns out looking like it does in leaks, then it knocks the Galaxy Alpha out of the park for design.

Hardware

Samsung has included as many cores as possible in the Galaxy Alpha. It comes with either an octo-core processor or a quad-core 2.5GHz unit.

The iPhone will likely stick at a dual-core chip, with some clever GPU tweaks and increased usage of 64-bit technology. The only way we can know the winner here is with a straight up benchmarking test, which we just can't do yet.

Real-world usage rules apply however, which means that the iPhone will probably feel slick in terms of user interface, but that Android's customisation and raw power will put it ahead for those who are more tech-confident.

2GB of RAM in the Galaxy Alpha is more than enough for quite serious multi-tasking. In fact, the only gap we think Samsung has left here against the iPhone is the decision to go for a 720p screen.

If Apple opts to put a higher resolution and larger Retina display in the iPhone 6, then you can be almost certain that it will take the win on the hardware front. Both screens are 4.7 inches.

It's also worth noting that Samsung has used Gorilla Glass for the Galaxy Alpha, whereas Apple will use Sapphire Crystal, a much stronger compound.

Camera

Samsung has incorporated a 12-megapixel unit into the Galaxy Alpha alongside a 2.1-megapixel camera on the front.

Apple already had a corker of a camera with the iPhone 5S. iOS 8 already does a lot to improve its flexibility, so boost the tech for the iPhone 6 and things will at least be on par with what Samsung is doing here.

Rumours point to a 13-megapixel Sony Exmor sensor unit, which would place the iPhone ahead of the Samsung in the sensor race.

Storage

Bizarrely, Samsung made the decision not to include microSD with the Galaxy Alpha, which means you are stuck with the 32GB that the handset ships with.

Apple always offers numerous storage options for its iPhone going up to 64GB, but this time around, there are whispers of a 128GB option. Expect it to be very expensive.

Release date and pricing

On the subject of pricing, neither manufacturer has announced any costs just yet. Apple doesn't like to mess with prices however, so expect the iPhone 6 to cost around £550 off contract.

As for the Samsung, the specifications read more like a mid-tier handset for the Korean manufacturer, so it's possible that it'll be around £350-£400.

As for release date, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 6 on September 9. Release usually falls two to four weeks later.

Samsung has the phone listed as going on sale at 'the beginning of September', which basically means 'whenever the iPhone 6 doesn't launch'.

Apple to rollout Healthkit in iPhone 6 amidst tough challenges

Apple has been discussing how its “HealthKit” service will work with health providers at Mount Sinai, the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins as well as with Allscripts, a competitor to electronic health records provider Epic Systems, people familiar with the discussions said.

While the talks may not amount to anything concrete, they underscore how Apple is intent on making health data, such as blood pressure, pulse and weight, available for consumers and health providers to view in one place.

Currently, this data is being collected by thousands of third-party health care software applications and medical devices, but it isn’t centrally stored. Apple also hopes physicians will use this data to better monitor patients between visits – with the patient’s consent — so the doctors can make better diagnostic and treatment decisions.

Apple has not divulged much specific detail on HealthKit, which is expected to be incorporated into the iPhone 6 come September. But Apple intends HealthKit to become a lynchpin in a broader push into mobile healthcare — a fertile field that rivals Google and Samsung are also exploring.

The iPhone maker has previously disclosed partnerships with Nike, Epic, and the prestigious Mayo Clinic, which boasts a suite of mobile apps. Mayo is reportedly testing a service to flag patients when results from apps and devices are abnormal, with follow-up information and treatment recommendations.

Dozens of major health systems that use Epic’s software will soon be able to integrate health and fitness data from HealthKit into Epic’s personal health record, called MyChart, according to a person briefed by Apple. Kaiser Permanente is currently piloting a number of mobile apps that leverage HealthKit, two people have said, and is expected to reach out to Apple to discuss a more formal partnership.

“Apple is going into this space with a data play,” said Forrester Research’s health care analyst Skip Snow. “They want to be a hub of health data.”

But some implementations with HealthKit may be a challenge due to a web of privacy and regulatory requirements and many decades-old IT systems, said Morgan Reed, executive director of ACT, a Washington-based organization that represents mobile app developers.

“Everybody is knocking on the door,” he said. “But I doubt that HealthKit will merge with all the existing systems.”

Apple declined to comment on upcoming partnerships for HealthKit. An Allscripts spokesperson said it did not publicly discuss contractual or prospective agreements. Mount Sinai and Johns Hopkins’ press officers had no information to share at this time.

Cleveland Clinic associate chief information officer William Morris said the clinical solutions team is experimenting with HealthKit’s beta and is providing feedback to Apple. HealthKit and related services could become a means for some technology teams at budget-strapped hospitals to save time and resources, as mobile developers won’t have to integrate with dozens of apps and devices like fitness trackers or Glucometers as they have to now, he said.

Kaiser Permanente’s Brian Gardner, who leads a research and development group responsible for Kaiser’s mobile offerings, said many physicians are thinking about how to leverage patient-generated data from apps and devices.

“Apple has engaged with some of the most important players in this space,” said Gardner. “Platforms like HealthKit are infusing the market with a lot of new ideas and making it easier for creative people to build for health care.”

Long Journey

Apple’s developer relations team has also been working with developers of popular fitness and medical apps, such as Mountain View, California-based iHealth Lab.

Apple has taken pains to ensure that consumers are aware of how data is being collected and stored, said Jim Taschetta, chief marketing officer at iHealth Lab. For instance, an optional toggle will let patients decide if they wish to share data from third-party apps with Apple’s main health app. And if patients choose to store sensitive health data in iCloud, it’s encrypted when they’re in transit and at rest, one Apple employee said.

“It is consumer-controlled and can be turned on or off at any time from the app that collects the data from the original source,” Taschetta said.

Health developers say Apple will not be immune to the challenges they have faced for many years, starting with safeguarding consumer privacy. And along with physicians and consumers, Apple will have to juggle the requirements of regulators at federal agencies or departments. Digital health accelerator Rock Health estimates that at least half a dozen government offices have a hand in some facet of mobile health.

HealthKit relies on the ability of users to share data. But depending on how that data is used, its partners – and potentially even Apple – may be subject to the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA.

HIPAA protects personally-identifiable health information – such as a medical report or hospital bill – stored or transmitted by a “covered entity,” like a care provider or health plan. Patient-generated information from a mobile app, for instance, has to be protected once the data is given to a covered entity or its agent.

Joy Pritts, recently-departed chief privacy officer for the Office of the National Coordinator for Healthcare IT (ONC), said Apple may need to re-determine its responsibility to safeguard data with each new partnership.

For instance, if Apple and Nike team up to collect running data, neither would be subject to HIPAA, she said. But if Apple gets and stores clinical information on behalf of the Mayo Clinic, both would likely have to abide by HIPAA.

“It is really difficult for consumers to know if their health information is protected by HIPAA because it’s so dependent on the specific facts,” Pritts said.

To smooth its path at a time when some other high-profile health-oriented initiatives have run into trouble in Washington — including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision to crack down on genetic testing firm 23andMe — Apple has consulted or hired health experts and attorneys, who are well-versed on privacy and regulatory requirements. Senior officials have paid a visit to key government offices, including the FDA and the ONC. Apple is expected to roll out HealthKit, so that providers – and not Apple — are responsible for adhering to privacy requirements.

But there’s the question of reliability. Joshua Landy, a Toronto-based internal medicine and critical care doctor, said physicians will need to learn over time which apps are useful for clinical purposes and safe to recommend to patients. This problem will grow in coming months with hundreds of new mobile medical apps expected to hit the App Store.

It’s iPhone 6 vs Galaxy Note 4: September date for the big Apple-Samsung fight

September is going to be a big month for all technology enthusiasts as both Apple and Samsung will gear up for big launches. With Samsung, it’s going to be the Galaxy Note 4 at the Berlin IFA show on 3 September, while Apple will launch the iPhone 6 on 9 September.

With the iPhone 6, we are going to see a big change from iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c as Apple is expected to launch two new versions of the device, with rumour mills indicating a 4.7-inch device and a 5.5-inch phablet. Where Note 4 is concerned, Samsung could give it a 2K display.

So what should we expect from these two devices? Let’s take a quick look at the differences between the two. Of course a lot of this could be different when the actual devices launch.

Screen: As we’ve noted for Apple, the iPhone 6 will mark a big change as it will finally launch a smartphone with a bigger screen. Given the popularity of phablets, Apple’s iPhone 6 will have a 4.7-inch version and 5.5-inch version. According to reports, Apple supplier Foxconn has already gone into mass production and the company has asked for 70-80 million iPhone screens to be kept ready.

A report on 9to5Mac had shown that iPhone 6 may get a ‘curved’ display just like Samsung’s Galaxy S3. The slightly curved display glass could be included to accommodate the rounded edges, which means the display may not be convex on the top. With an increase in display size, it remains to be seen what Apple will do with the ‘Retina Display’ and whether the pixel density will go higher than the current 326 pixels per inch for iPhone 5s.

The iPhone 6 is also likely to feature haptic technology that emits minor vibrations depending on the touchscreen area you’ve pressed. This means developers can take advantage of the technology for building intuitive games and apps. Reports also claim that the new haptic motor to be employed in the next-gen iPhone would be two to three times more expensive.

As far as the Galaxy Note 4 is concerned, a report at CMNO had stated that the Note 4 would come with 2K display, and the screen size could increase from Note 3’s 5.7-inch although if that happens we’re wondering what will will happen to the Samsung Mega range of smartphones.

The Galaxy Note 4 is also expected to be waterproof and will have an eye-scanner technology as well, which could scan the eye to pay bills at the grocery store, electricity bills, mobile bills etc. There are also reports that the Note 4’s screen could use Samsung bent screen technology which was showcased at the CES 2013 in Las Vegas.

Processor, RAM, Space: As far as the iPhone 6 processor chip goes it will be the A8 chip and should support 64-bit like the iPhone 5s. Apple’s next set of devices will also most probably come with the next level of the M7-co-motion processor chip. Whether A8 will be dual-core processor or quad-core processor remains to be seen, but Apple has largely ducked the quad-core trend for now. With RAM, it’s likely that Apple will stick to 1GB RAM, although 2GB RAM would really make a lot specs-obsessed people happy. The iPhone 6 will of course stick with Apple’s 16, 32, 64 GB models and is unlikely to support microSD slots.

As far as the Note 4 is concerned, rumours indicate that it will come with an octa-core Exynos CPU or a Snapdragon 800-series SoC, coupled with 4GB RAM (Note 3 has 3GB RAM). The company might as well build both variants, and as seen earlier. Speculation is that the Note 4 will have global LTE coverage. The rumoured features list also includes 128GB onboard storage, and it should support a microSD slot as well.

Camera: Once again with iPhone 6, Apple is expected to stick to the 8 megapixel camera and avoid the megapixel wars. But given that it is ditching the 4-inch screen, we could be in for a surprise here as well. Supply chain speculation however says that such a surprise is unlikely.

Instead, the company will introduce functional improvements including in the optical image stabilization (OIS) module in the 8 megapixel camera. The dual-flash is expected to continue. In addition to this Pacific Crest Securities analysts John Vinh and Kevin Chen reported that  optical image stabilization may be a feature just for the larger 5.5-inch iPhone.

Apple has also got patents for interchangeable mobile camera lenses. The patent mentions a camera add-on that connects using a physical locking mechanism like a DSLR lens, as well as a magnetic component for quicker attachment. Of course, seeing this feature in iPhone 6 seems highly unlikely for now.

As far as Note 4 is concerned, Samsung will give it a bigger camera and rumours indicate a 20.1 megapixel shooter in the rear. The Front camera is reported to be 4 megapixel. However a report on trusted Samsung source Sammobile says that it will be 16 megapixel camera in the rear along OIS and a 3.7 megapixel front camera.

Other big rumours: Apple is reportedly going to introduce Sapphire crystal display protection, which is already there on iPhone 5s’ fingerprint scanner, will now be extended to the iPhone 6’s screen. It is speculated that the next-gen iPhone will have a sapphire crystal display protection to ward off scratches.

A report on 9to5Mac had said that Apple had already set up a plant in Arizona for a new critical component and patented a technology for the sapphire crystal display as well.

Ultraviolet Sensor and eye-scanner are supposed to be the next big changes in the Note 4. According to reports, Note 4 is said to come with an ultraviolet sensor, which can measure UV radiation and alert users about possible precautions via the S Health app. A report on Sammobile said that “ sensor will be used to measure the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation and prevent users from damaging their skin, ageing it prematurely, and increasing their risk of skin cancer by giving recommended guidance based on the current UV index level”

It’s clear that both Apple and Samsung have a lot riding on these next two-releases given that smartphone market is seeing in a decline in demand for premium devices and the rise of the sub$100 category. We’ll have to wait and see how they live up to expectations and how many of the rumours come true.

Apple iPhone 6 release date: 7 things to expect at reported Sept. 9 event

When is the Apple iPhone 6 coming out? A release date is expected soon, and a new Re/code report claims the secretive tech company will announce its next-generation iPhone at a Sept. 9 event.

CNET points out Apple has introduced a new iPhone every year since the late Steve Jobs unveiled the first in 2007. New iPhones have launched in September since 2011, despite previous rumors a new device would be unveiled at the WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) in June.

Apple has yet to comment on the rumored event, nor has it said what its next product will be or if it will be named the iPhone 6 (or something else).

But a Sept. 9 press event lines up with a reported Sept. 19 release date, allegedly leaked by employees at German carrier Deutsche Telekom earlier this year. In past years, Apple has announced a new product on a Tuesday (which Sept. 9 is) and then releases it stores the following week on Friday (Sept. 19).

And Forbes notes that Apple's revenue guidance for the quarter ending Sept. 27 is $37 to $40 billion. To reach the higher end, which would be a 7 percent increase from last year's same quarter, the company would need to ship at least one new iPhone model by mid-September.

Either way, something's coming soon, and here are 7 things Apple fans can expect:

1. A bigger iPhone
As phones trend towards "phablet" sizes somewhere between the average smartphone and a tablet, Apple is expected to try and compete with the Galaxy models by releasing an iPhone 6 with a 4.7-inch display and an even larger 5.5-inch display. Different reports, however, suggest the larger model, a full 1.5 inches bigger than the iPhone 5C and 5S, may not be released or even announced until December.

2. A faster processor and "improved" battery life
The iPhone 5C, which replaced the iPhone 5, has an A6 processor, and the iPhone 5S has a twice-as-fast A7 processor. So if history's any indicator, the iPhone 6 will have a faster A8 processor. Apple also claims every model has improved battery life, so similar boasts are expected this year -- though it's hard to imagine happening if the phone is bigger and faster.

3. A better camera
The iPhone 5, 5C and 5S had 8.0 megapixel iSight cameras, but experts predict the iPhone 6 will have a 13.0 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization for taking better photos and video while moving. According to Forbes, Apple has improved its camera lenses in recent models to prepare for the higher resolution, which will likely stick around for the next few models.

4. iOS 8
Pretty much every new iPhone or iPad comes with a new operating system, and Apple unveiled iOS 8 in June with an expected fall release date. The most buzzed-about features include a HealthKit app with users' medical information, vital signs and diet/fitness monitoring; CarPlay, for in-car functionality; a HomeKit app that can be a remote control for "smart" household appliances (like an AppleTV); and "QuickType," a SwiftKey-like text assistant that helps users finish sentences rather than just offer correct spelling.

5. At least one rumored product won't be included
Will the iPhone 6 have a NFC (near field communication) chip that allows users to make purchases with their smartphone, like a credit card? Will a long-rumored "iWatch" actually happen, joining the new craze of smartwatches and wearable devices? Will Sapphire glass displays replace Corning's famed Gorilla Glass design? And are new headphones coming out, replacing its Beats-compatible headphone jacks with a Lightning port? The tech giant could do all of those, but expect at least one of those to be left out.

6. Old iPhones will get cheaper
Apple typically keeps the previous iPhone models around for a year with a significant price drop. If the iPhone 5S and the already cheaper iPhone 5C remain available for the next year, upcoming holiday shoppers on a budget could have several options besides the likely pricey iPhone 6.

7. Gripes from gadget geeks
Yes, the QuickType feature is a facsimile of SwiftKey. Yes, Android and Windows Phone users will point out their smartphones already have better cameras or bigger screens. And no, there's no way Apple can meet all of its fans' wildest hopes and dreams. Criticism is inevitable but, while iPad sales faltered in the last quarter, the iPhone continues to be an industry measuring stick and a top-selling device that inspires large lines on its release dates.
What do you think? Will you get a new iPhone when it comes out?

Apple iPhone 6 vs Xiaomi Mi 4 – Price and Specs Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 4 was released this month, being created by “Apple of China”. The real Apple will launch its new flagship on September 19, according to reports, and the war between the two giant companies will be more ferocious than ever. And that’s because Xiaomi is good at cloning Apple products.

Although we don’t have a confirmation yet for the specs and features of the iPhone 6, we can only suppose that the leaked information is reliable and we’ll use it to compare the Apple smartphone with the Chinese product.

Displays and Sizes

The iPhone 6 is expected to feature an LED-backlit IPS LCD display with 16M colors, a resolution of 960×1,704pixels and 416ppi. The device will be equipped with a shatter-proof sapphire crystal glass case and will be water resistant. The Mi 4 also has an IPS LCD display with 16M colors, a resolution of 1,080×1,920pixels and a higher pixel density – 441ppi. This phone is dust and water resistant, being IP67 certified.

According to GSMarena reports, both of the devices will have: 2G, 3G and 4G and their sizes are quite similar. The iPhone 6 is measuring 5.12×2.56×0.28inches and it weights 113grams, while the Mi 4 has the dimensions of 5.48×2.70×0.35inches and a weight of 149grams.

Hardware and OS

The iPhone 6 will be powered by a dual-core 2GHz CPU, coupled with an Apple A8 chipset and will run on the iOS8 operating system. The Mi 4 comes with a 2.5GHz Krait 400 CPU, which is backed up by a Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 chipset, but it runs on the Android 4.4.3 (KitKat) OS. As for the internal memory – there will be three variants available for the iPhone 6 – 16, 32, 64 or 128GB. The Mi 4 has 16 and 64GB of internal storage, unexpandable. The Apple device has 2GB of RAM, while the Chinese product has 3GB of RAM.

Cameras

It seems that the Mi 4 outpaces the iPhone 6 in terms of photo shooting, having a 13MP rear camera with 4128×3,096pixels, dual-LED flash and autofocus. The iPhone 6 is “blocked” at the same 8MP rear camera – as its predecessors, having features such as 3,264×2,448pixels, dual-LED flash & autofocus. Both of the devices have video recording capabilities at 1,080p@60fps and 1,080p@30fps.

Batteries

Both of these smartphones have non-removable batteries. However, the iPhone 6 has a Li-Po 1,850mAh battery, whereas the Chinese smartphone has a Li-Ion 3,080mAh battery.

iPhone 6: Other features

•  white, space grey, gold or silver color variants
•  it has active noise cancellation – with dedicated Mic
•  iCloud cloud service
•  iBooks PDF reader
•  iCloud Keychain
•  AirDrop file sharing
•  TV-out
•  Maps
•  Audio/video player/editor
•  Document and Photo viewer/editor
•  Voice memo/dial/command
•  Siri personal assistant with natural language commands and dictation
•  AirDrop file sharing
•  Twitter and Facebook included
•  Organiser
•  Predictive text input.

Mi 4: Other features

•  black and white color variants
•  TV-out via via MHL A/V link
•  MP4/DivX/XviD/WMV/H.264/H.263 player
•  MP3/WAV/eAAC+/FLAC player
•  Active noise cancellation – with dedicated mic
•  Organiser
•  SNS integration
•  Photo/video editor
•  Document viewer
•  Voice memo/dial/commands
•  Predictive text input (Swype).

Prices

The Mi 4 16GB variant costs 320 dollars, while the 64GB variant is priced at 400 dollars. The iPhone 6 will be much more expensive. The 4.7inches variant will be priced at 850 dollars, while the 5.5inches variant will cost over 1000 dollars.

Apple May Debut iPhone 6, iTime Watch This Fall

 

Apple is likely planning a September event to unveil the next generation iPhone 6, followed by a debut of a much anticipated smartwatch called “iTime” in October, according to reports by Silicon Valley insiders.

An Apple keynote speech tentatively planned for mid-September will reveal a new iPhone 6, and announce final details on the new iOS 8 operating system for the company’s devices, Apple-focused blog 9to5Mac reports. New features for iOS may include dual-screen multitasking mode for iPads and new functions for its Maps application, 9to5Mac reports.

The new iPhone may also use Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint password feature unveiled on the 2013 iPhone 5S as part of a new mobile payment system, which would partner with credit card firms like Visa, 9to5Mac reports.

 Unveiling a new phone in September has become something of an annual event for Apple, which has sold more than 500 million units of the iPhone worldwide since the product first debuted in 2007. Despite its success the company is under pressure from investors and competitors to unveil new types of products.

To keep its innovative edge Apple has been widely reported that it will unveil a health-monitoring smart watch in October, designed to be both fashionable as a watch and functional as a fitness wristband. That device may be called the iTime, according to a patent granted to Apple by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. According to the patent, which includes diagrams, the watch will sync with iPhones, iPads and other computers in a "personal wireless environment."

 The patent outlines that sensors in the device may respond to arm and wrist gestures, which could be used to answer calls or make other commands. The patent also indicates the watch with a square-shaped can be removed from straps and operate like an iPod.

Apple, known for a design culture of perfection, might feature more bells and whistles on it's iTime than those on similar devices such as those supported by Google’s Android Wear operating system. That culture also might leave open the possibility that while Apple could debut the smartwatch in October, it might not sell the watch immediately to allow a final chance to tinker with the design.

Images leaked by phone component makers earlier this year also hint at what the iPhone 6 may look like. The next generation iPhone will likely have a 4.7-inch screen, featuring a slimmer frame and wider screen than the current iPhone 5S. 

Why Apple’s iPhone 6 should launch on September 12th

While some reports say the next-gen iPhones will be launched on September 19th – not to mention that some retailers already offer pre-order options of the iPhone 6, despite the fact that it doesn’t yet exist – Business Insider has a different take on when the iPhone 6 should be released.

The publication says that since Tim Cook took over the CEO position from Steve Jobs, Apple always launched an iPhone two days after the operating system version made alongside that model was released for earlier devices. And the latest iOS version was released to users exactly 100 days after being unveiled at that year’s WWDC edition.

That’s why Apple may launch iOS 8 on September 10th (a Wednesday) and the iPhone 6 on September 12th (a Friday).

iOS was introduced on June 11th, released 100 days later (on Wednesday, September 19th) and followed two days later, on a Friday, by the iPhone 5. iOS 7 was unveiled on June 10th, released 100 days later on September 18th (again a Wednesday), and followed by the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on September 20th, also a Friday – Apple almost always launches new iPhones on a Friday.

This year, Apple unveiled iOS 8 on June 2nd at WWDC. By applying the same math, September 12th comes up as the potential launch date for the iPhone 6.

Unless the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s launches were simple coincidences – launching 102 days after their respective iOS version were unveiled – Apple could follow a similar pattern this year with the new iPhone 6 models.

iPhone 6 production confirmed: Foxconn hoping to make 120m handsets in 2014

iPhone manufacturer Foxconn has finally confirmed that it is hiring 100,000 new workers as production begins on Apple’s next iPhone.



The company said it is prepared to make as many as 120 million iPhones before the end of the year. The iPhone 5s and 5c collectively sold nine million units on their weekend release - and the iPhone range has, in total, sold in excess off 500 million units.

The news from Foxconn suggests that that Appleis looking to release two new smartphones this year, one with a 4.7-inch screen and another with a 5.5-inch screen, despite rumours that the larger iPhone wouldn’t be available to consumers until 2015.

It’s also thought the phones will include displays constructed from a sapphire-glass blend: a material that is more resistant to scratches than the Gorilla Glass 3 currently used in the iPhone 5s but not as tough as the pure sapphire that some rumours had originally suggested.

A video made by tech blogger Marques Brownleee (below) shows how displays supposedly leaked from the iPhone 6 supply chain are more resistant to scratching than those of the iPhone 5s – but are far from ‘indestructible’ as some people have claimed.

Apple’s reason for using a glass-sapphire blend (if they are – it’s impossible to say for sure) are most likely twofold: firstly, producing sapphire is extremely expensive and Apple has only ever used it in small amounts (such as the camera lens and home button on the 5s) and secondly, smartphone screens are best if they have a little bit of flex them – and pure sapphire might have proved too brittle.

And what else do we know about the iPhone 6 so far? Well, as ever, there’s a lot of rumours, but it seems a given that the devices will be released in September this year and that they will use iOS 8 – the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system.

Unconfirmed leaks also suggest that they will be available in three colours (black, gold and grey), that the larger model will offer a new 128GB storage capacity, and that both versions will use an updated version of Apple’s 64-bit chip called the A8.

Apple iPhone 6 tipped to launch on September 19

A promotional flyer for the upcoming Apple iPhone 6 has been posted by a Weibo user in China. It depicts two iPhone smartphones, a 4.7" and a 5.5" one, alongside their respective prices. 

 A lot of rumors have suggested that Apple is considering to launch two iPhone devices this year and this promotional flyer is yet another hint that this might indeed happen. The flyer also suggests pricing for the iPhone duo.  

The 4.7" iPhone 6 would carry a price of $850 (RMB 5,288), while its larger 5.5" sibling is tipped at $1012 (RMB 6,288). According to the flyer, the launch date of both is September 19. Historically, that's not surprising, as the iPhone 5s launched on September 20 and the iPhone 5 did so on September 21.




GSMInsider cites reports from China that claim Apple has already sent the iPhone 6 to Chinese carriers like China Mobile and China Unicom to test its 4G LTE connectivity.

The 4.7" screen version of the iPhone 6 will reportedly have a resolution of 960 x 1,704 pixels. We've witnessed a slew of dummy units of the phone, with a recent one having the following dimensions – 137.5 x 67 x 7mm. For reference, the iPhone 5s is 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm.

100,000 Reasons Why Apple's iPhone 6 Won't Be US Manufactured

What with the rumour mill about Apple's upcoming iPhone 6 (or whatever they’re going to call it) hyping up into a gorgeous crescendo a small little point about why such mass electronics manufacturing just isn’t going to return to the US in any foreseeable timescale. It’s just not about the cost of US labour as compared to that of foreign labour: it’s much, much, more about the flexibility of that foreign labour as opposed to US labour.

 

Here’s the specific piece of news that makes that point:

A recent rumor suggested that Apple is planning to introduce the iPhone 6 sometime in September, and today another pair of reports have surfaced that appear to back that claim up.

According to Taiwanese publication Economic Daily News, Hon Hai/Foxconn will begin mass production of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 during the third week of July. Production of the larger 5.5-inch model is expected to get underway during the second week of August.

In order to help meet Apple’s production demands, Foxconn will hire 100,000 workers to ensure that it can manufacture enough iPhone 6 units to meet future demand.

Leave aside those bits that are irrelevant to my point, whether the iPhone 6 will have a 5.5 inch screen, whether it will even be called the iPhone 6, and concentrate on that figure of 100,000 workers. There is simply no way at all that it would be possible to hire 100,000 workers in the US in any one, or even in several, locations between now and the supposed launch of the phone in two month’s time.

There’s certainly enough unemployed people in the US, that’s true, to provide a workforce of that size. But those unemployed are not mobile enough that you could gather that many at any one, or even three or four locations in the country. And it’s also true that the basic systems of HR, the hiring process itself, would take longer than that even if you could gather the correct number of people.

The basic model being used to assemble this electronics equipment just wouldn’t, and doesn’t, work inside the US. The labour market simply isn’t built the right way to allow the mobilisation of a sufficiently large workforce in these seasonal surges that a company like Apple faces.

Apple themselves have been saying this for some years now, indeed they’ve been saying it since the very launch of the original iPhone itself:

Apple executives say that going overseas, at this point, is their only option. One former executive described how the company relied upon a Chinese factory to revamp iPhone manufacturing just weeks before the device was due on shelves. Apple had redesigned the iPhone’s screen at the last minute, forcing an assembly line overhaul. New screens began arriving at the plant near midnight.

A foreman immediately roused 8,000 workers inside the company’s dormitories, according to the executive. Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea, guided to a workstation and within half an hour started a 12-hour shift fitting glass screens into beveled frames. Within 96 hours, the plant was producing over 10,000 iPhones a day.

“The speed and flexibility is breathtaking,” the executive said. “There’s no American plant that can match that.”

It would be possible to have American plants manufacturing things that have a steadier demand. Instead of a huge boom in the early life of a product cycle and then a tailing off of demand as it ages, if there was a more consistent monthly demand then it would be possible to set up a US based supply chain to manufacture. But at the same time, if you don’t need that flexibility then that would be just yet another reason to mechanise the process rather than using human labour to do it. Steve Jobs really was right:

Why can’t that work come home? Mr. Obama asked.

Mr. Jobs’s reply was unambiguous. “Those jobs aren’t coming back,” he said, according to another dinner guest.

If you don’t need the flexibility that being able to hire and or fire a hundred thousand workers gives you then you might as well mechanise the plant anyway. As Foxconn itself is starting to do even with its production lines in China.

Mass employment in mass manufacturing in the rich countries is simply over, an economic and even a social structure that is passing into the mists of history. Complaining about it, trying to bring it back, just isn’t going to work. It’ll all either be done by more flexible workforces elsewhere or it will be done by robots. Humans on the assembly line in rich countries are becoming as archaic as muleskinners were after the invention of the tractor and the truck. You’ll note that the people still hand guiding animals through ploughing and other farm work are the peasants in the poor world: it, like that assembly line work is becoming, is simply something that we people in the rich world no longer do.

One of the most important iPhone 6 parts just leaked for the first time

Apple’s next-generation iPhone 6 is going to be quite different from the company’s current iPhone models. For one thing, it will finally feature a larger display. For another, it will sport a huge redesign that is thinner than any iPhone before it, and the edges will be smooth and round instead of flat, like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5. Some things won’t change on the iPhone 6, of course, and one of its most important parts that was called up from Apple’s previous flagship iPhone model has seemingly just leaked for the first time.

Japanese gadget blog ASCII.jp on Wednesday published the first ever images of what is believed to be the Touch ID sensor from Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6. Apple first introduced its TouchID fingerprint scanner on last year’s iPhone 5s, allowing users to unlock their phones and authenticate App Store purchases wirth just a quick fingerprint scan.

The tech was born from Apple’s $356 million acquisition of AuthenTec and in iOS 8, Apple has broadened Touch ID’s capabilities.

In the leaked images, we can clearly see that the Touch ID component on the bottom is different from the one on the top, which is recognizable as the iPhone 5s’s Touch ID scanner. This obviously isn’t confirmation that the leaked part is authentic but with iPhone 6 production reportedly ramping up right now, it certainly could be.

Apple’s new iPhone 6 is expected to launch in the coming months, possibly on September 19th.

The two leaked images follow below along with a third that includes annotations fromNowhereelse.fr.