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Cheaper iPhone With A 4.5-inch Display And Polycarbonate Housing Coming Soon; 4.5-Inch iPhone In 2014 - Rumor
Smaller Tablets To Dominate In 2013?
'Apple Is Losing The Screen-size War'
Apple iPads Still Dominate the Enterprise After Surface Disappointment
Hooray! Finally Files App - A Magnificent iOS File Manager
Apple iPads And Microsoft Surface Tablet PCs At The Bottom Of The Pile For Repairability - iFixIt
Cool Invent Launches the Aluminum VERSI Charging Stand for iPad And iPad mini
QUAN's All-in-One iPad Accessory Enters Engineering Phase
Cheaper iPhone With A 4.5-inch Display And Polycarbonate Housing Coming Soon; 4.5-Inch iPhone In 2014 - Rumor
Based on what I've been able to decipher from a Google machine translation of a report on the Japanese-language Apple-watcher Macotakara blog, they've received "very reliable information" that a cheaper iPhone with a polycarbonate housing similar in clearcoat shiny texture to the now-discontinued white, shiny-textured polycarbonate MacBook laptop's case instead of aluminum and glass, but in this instance available in a range of colors instead of just refrigerator white, and a price target of $330 - or parity with the hot-selling iPad mini.
The new lower-priced iPhone is projected to share its general internal design and display dimensions with the iPhone 5 but be somewhat thicker in form factor in order for the polycarbonate housing to be adequately rugged and durable.
However, Macotakara's sources say release of a 4.5-inch iPhone not-quite-phablet will be delayed until 2014. In the meantime, Apple apparently plans to add a dual-flash LED module on the back of the forthcoming iPhone 5S for better low-light photography capability.
For the full report (Japanese) visit here:
http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/rumor/entry-19346.html
Smaller Tablets To Dominate In 2013?
In A DisplaySearch Analyst Blog, David Hsieh observes that by releasing the iPad mini in late 2012, Apple has tacitly acknowledged that smaller size (7-9-inch) tablet computers will become a larger market segment than the larger 9.7-inch and 10.1-inch. Hsieh says key aspects to the smaller tablet devices' surging popularity are their more attractive prices and holdability in one hand rather than two, noting that data published in the latest DisplaysSearch Monthly TFT LCD Shipment Database (http://goo.gl/5WwDp) indicate that in January 2013, tablet PC panel shipments shifted dramatically toward smaller screen sizes.
On the other hand, shipments of 9.7-inch tablet PC panels collapsed, falling from 7.4 to 1.3M, and shipments of 10.1-inch panels grew only slightly, while 7-inch and 7.9-inch panel shipments grew rapidly, from 12 to 14M, with the January panel shipment data possibly a bellwhether for the year. Hsieh observes that while Apple had planned to sell 40M iPad minis (7.9-inch) and 60M iPads (9.7-inch) in 2013, the reality seems to be trending toward the reverse, with the iPad mini so far being more popular than the iPad, with Apple rumored to have revised its projections to a ration of 55M iPad minis and 33M full-sized iPads in 2013.
However, the market hasn't settled out to any sort of stable pattern yet, with a wild card being how much 7.x-inch tablet computer sales will be addected by 5-6-inch smartphone "phablet" sales? Hsieh suggests that as smartphones move to larger sizes such as 5-6-inch, phablets - converged smartphone and tablet PC devices - could cannibalize the 7.x-inch tablet computer market.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://goo.gl/R1U8d
'Apple Is Losing The Screen-size War'
Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt says that even though it never attends, Apple is always a presence at Mobile World Congress held every year since 2009 in Barcelona.
However, while in past years Apple's iPhone platform has set the bar by which other smartphone vendors measured themselves, that's not the case this year. Elmer-DeWitt cites Jefferies analyst Peter Misek in a "flash note" to clients contending that 4.7-inch to 5.5-inch are becoming the new standard screen size for mobile devices, and noting: "We think this demonstrates how badly Apple is losing the screen-size war. And while this has primarily been a high-end trend so far, we think that it could be even more pronounced as it moves to the low end and consumers do not have the money to buy a smartphone and a tablet so they migrate to the phablet form factor."
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/Qpiab
Apple iPads Still Dominate the Enterprise After Surface Disappointment
CIO's Tom Kaneshige reports that iPads have held their ground in the enterprise market against challenges from Android tablets and Windows 8 tablets like the Surface RT, but he says Apple can still do more to maintain its mobile enterprise lead.
Kaneshige notes that iPad has been a success story in the enterprise, flooding executive suites, knowledge-worker cubicles, field sales reps' carry-on luggage, and even factory floors, but is under siege from the likes of Microsoft's Surface tablet PCs. However, he says the iPad is doing a good job of defending its enterprise turf with the Microsoft Surface RT model having failed to deliver on its hype, citing comment from CTO Aaron Freimark at services firm Tekserve, which helps Fortune 1000 companies adopt Apple products.
He notes that the more powerful and capable Surface Pro model released February 9 is getting mixed reviews, and it may be indicative of soft sales performance that Microsoft has stayed "suspiciously quiet" about Surface Pro sales, while Apple typpically touts blockbuster first-week sales of any new iPad model release. Howeer Kaneshige perceives Android tablets to be a bigger threat to the iPad's enterprise tablet dominance, and that while iPads continue to lead tablet activations with 93.2 percent. Android tablet activations rose slightly to 6.8 percent over the course of 2012.
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/cFRAh
Hooray! Finally Files App - A Magnificent iOS File Manager
One of the iOS platform's major shortcomings ii its lack of document-based access to the filesystem. SonicoMobile has introduced Files App 1.0 for iPhone and iPad. Files App makes work with different documents fast, accurate, and simple. Filled with the most important features, there is no need to be lost in millions of unnecessary options users never use. The app features a user-friendly interface, stability and productivity. With a single click, users will be able to download all their files to a device within the app.
Viewing and managing your files should be as simple as opening and managing your Apps on your Home Screen. Files App gives you exactly that.
Files App features a user-friendly interface, stability and productivity. Do you use Dropbox every day? GoogleDrive? Or maybe Box? Just make a single click to download all your files to your device within Files App.
For example, you are trying to read a PDF document that contains more than 500 pages and it works slowly and annoying on your iPhone or iPad. Try Files App to see how fast and professional it works. Moreover, beautiful page thumbnails will make your work with documents enjoyable.
Another issue; there is a new ZIP file in your inbox mail and you're unhappy that you can't open it. No worries, Files App will help you in a seconds (you can easily zip and unzip files within the app). Want to manage your photos? To share them? No problem. Do you want to store music files and listen to them? Files App has a beautiful built-in music player and you can easily enjoy your favorite songs there.
One of Files App's biggest benefits is that as files are added to your iOS device, they are stored locally so they will be accessible offline, as well as password protected using the iOS login feature.
What you get with Files App:
• Read PDF and Office files.
• Lightning fast viewer for Photos & Videos.
• Listen to Music, complete with playlists, shuffle, artwork and Airplay.
• Drag & drop files from your Mac or PC right into Files App using your default web browser.
• Get files from Dropbox, Google Drive or Box.
• From AVI to ZIP: Support for many popular file formats.
• Organize your files using simple touch gestures.
What you don't get with Files App:
• Unnecessary bells and whistles
• Steep learning curve
Files App is a very powerful tool for iPhone/iPad that simplifies file management on your device, and currently it costs only $0.99 in a promotional to celebrate the application launch. Get it while it's on sale.
Device Requirements:
(*) iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
(*) Requires iOS 5.0 or higher
(*) 29.8 MB
Files App 1.0 for iPhone and iPad is currently priced at $0.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Productivity category.
Files App 1.0:
http://www.getfilesapp.com
Purchase and Download:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/id595075818
YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bjO2sLw2AU&hd=1
Facebook Profile:
https://www.facebook.com/SonicoMobile
Twitter Profile:
https://twitter.com/SonicoMobile
Watch a video at:
http://getfilesapp.com
For more information, visit:
http://sonicomobile.com
Apple iPads And Microsoft Surface Tablet PCs At The Bottom Of The Pile For Repairability - iFixIt
iFixIt rates tablet devices for their relative ease or not of repairability, and both Apple's iPads and Microsoft's Surface tablet PCs score miserably.
A device with a perfect score will be relatively inexpensive to repair because it is easy to disassemble and has a service manual available. Points are docked based on the difficulty of opening the device, the types of fasteners found inside, and the complexity involved in replacing major components. Points are awarded for upgradability, use of non-proprietary tools for servicing, and component modularity. In decending order of repairability:
Dell XPS 10
Easy to open. Easy to remove battery.
Color-coded screws and labeled cables inside.
LCD is fused to the glass.
Rating - 9
Amazon Kindle Fire
Device is easy to open.
No proprietary fasteners.
Simple design with standard Phillips screws.
Glass panel is fused to frame.
Rating - 8
Dell Streak
Device is easy to open.
Battery is easy to replace.
LCD is fused to the glass.
Rating - 8
Motorola Xoom
No proprietary fasteners.
LCD and front glass are not fused.
57 screws means a long disassembly time.
Rating - 8
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Modular design and easy to remove components.
Front glass is not fused to the LCD.
Heat gun is needed to replace the LCD.
Rating - 8
Amazon Kindle Fire HD
Easy to open. Easy to remove battery.
Color-coded screws and labeled cables inside.
LCD is fused to the glass.
Rating - 7
Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch
Device is easy to open.
Only 12 screws.
Battery is easy to replace.
Front glass, GlowLight LEDs, and digitizer are fused together.
Rating - 7
Google Nexus 7
Device is easy to open. No proprietary fasteners.
Battery is easy to replace.
LCD does not separate from front glass.
Rating - 7
Apple iPad 1
Front panel is held in place with clips.
LCD is not fused to the display glass.
Battery is difficult to remove and replace.
Rating - 6
Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet
LCD is not fused to front panel assembly.
Excessive adhesive and adhesive strips.
Battery replacement requires removing motherboard.
Rating - 6
Google Nexus 10
Easily removable battery. LCD is not fused to glass.
The opening procedure is a very difficult process.
Several components are attached by both screws and glue.
Rating - 6
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9"
With just a few clips, the device is very easy to open.
Heat gun is needed for fused LCD and front glass.
Battery and cables are adhered to case.
Rating - 5
Microsoft Surface RT
Once the device is opened, the battery is easily replaced.
Difficult to open device.
LCD is fused to the front glass.
Rating - 4
Apple iPad 2
LCD is easy to replace once the front panel is removed.
Battery is difficult to remove and replace.
High chance of cracking the glass during disassembly.
Rating - 2
Apple iPad 3
LCD is easy to remove once the front panel is removed.
Excessive amounts of adhesive holds everything in place.
High chance of cracking the glass during disassembly.
Rating - 2
Apple iPad 4
LCD is easy to remove once the front panel is removed.
Excessive amounts of adhesive holds everything in place.
High chance of cracking the glass during disassembly.
Rating - 2
Apple iPad Mini
LCD and glass are not fused together.
Excessive amounts of adhesive makes any repair difficult.
Hidden screws complicate disassembly.
Rating - 2
Microsoft Surface Pro
Battery is not soldered to the motherboard.
Tons of adhesive holds everything in place.
Opening the device risks shearing the display cables.
Rating - 1
You can check it out and find individual device teardown reports and manuals at:
http://www.ifixit.com/Tablet_Repairability
Cool Invent Launches the Aluminum VERSI Charging Stand for iPad And iPad mini
Cool Invent have announced their new home/office accessory - VERSI iPad, an iPad stand made out extruded aluminum with CNC machine grade anodized lever arms and articulated ball joint allowing for multidirectional use while charging Apple devices. Cool Invents founder and creative force, Dale Rorabaugh, has developed this new product with the versatility and functionality to compliment the sublime design of the iPad and iPhone. Whether using it to make a statement with your next client presentation or simply docking your iPad or other device in it, VERSI offers a synergy of art + function.
VERSI Is An Acronym For Versatile, Elegant, Revolutionary, Stable, And Iconic with the stand intended to be an artistic statement with its sculptural form and hi tech aluminum ias well as extremely versatile. The clean, simple design of the aluminum VERSI is intended to provide optimal functionality with a sophisticated minimalist aesthetic.
VERSI's unique CNC machined anodized aluminum levers with dual ball joint allows it to tilt, swivel and rotate in virtually any angle and height. The handcrafted stable granite base prevents wobbling and tipping over insuring your iPad is safe in its dock.
Each stand is handmade by Cool Invent with hi-tech extruded aluminum and finished with the perfect channels to hold all generations of iPads in portrait, landscape or typing modes as well as tilting, swiveling and rotating in virtually any direction or height. VERSI's unique built-in charging system allows the user to simply slip the iPad into the perfectly angled slot and you're ready for hands-free viewing of movies, e-book reading, video calls, website viewing, games, online recipe review while cooking and more! Measuring 6 x 12 the aluminum VERSI provides a minimum footprint for desk or tabletop use.
Just slide in your iPad, iPad mini or iPhone and your device charges automatically, eliminating the need to search for cables as VERSI is a self contained unit. Whether your device is the iPad 2, 3 or 4 or the iPhone 4/4S or 5 VERSI's unique built-in charger utilizing either the 30 pin to USB cable or Lightning Connector) allows you to connect to your device.
Each VERSI is made of unique aluminum or elegant granite that is not only beautiful, but also incredibly durable and easy to care for.
The artisanal collection is available in four models each with a choice of granite or aluminum base. Models include the stand alone base for the iPad, iPhone, iPad mini and a dual version for both the iPad and iPhone. Pricing starts at $158.00.
Dual iPad/iPhone Charging Stand
$259.00
VERSI iPad Charging Stand
$189.00
iPad Mini Charging Stand
$189.00
iPhone 5 Charging Stand
$158.00
VERSI s available for purchase at:
http://www.cool-invent.com
QUAN's All-in-One iPad Accessory Enters Engineering Phase
The feature-packed iPad accessory being developed by Houston-based technology innovator Quantum International Corp. is moving from the drawing board to the workshop. Engineering began this week to produce a working prototype of the device for testing.
The all-in-one accessory has been designed to give the Apple iPad all of the features of a high-end laptop, including peripheral ports, ability to connect storage devices, an extended battery pack, speakers, a keyboard and moreall packed into a stylish, protective case.
"This accessory is going to increase the iPad's usability far beyond whats currently possible," says Quantum CEO Robert Federowicz. "There's nothing like it in the marketplace today, and we expect it to become the top must-have accessory for every iPad fanatic. We've contracted a reputable, international engineering firm to construct the prototype, and we cant wait to take it for a test drive."
Indeed, there is no shortage of consumers eager for hot new iPad accessories. Currently, there are more than 117 million iPad owners worldwide, and the market for accessories is worth $2.3 billion and climbing. A successful product launch could mean extreme, rapid growth for Quantum.
The company has already contacted manufacturers in China about initiating production of the breakthrough accessory as soon as a prototype can be produced that meets internal performance targets.
For more information on Quantum Internationals technology initiatives, visit:
http://www.quantuminnovators.com/investors.html
Follow on Twitter at:
http://www.twitter.com/QuantumIntlCorp
For more information about Quantum International Corp., visit:
http://www.quantuminnovators.com
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