Latest Gadgets, Tablets and Smartphones
Apple has introduced the new MacBook laptop which is set to replace the current iBook series. All models of the MacBook will be rolled out with Intel processors. The 13-inch widescreen MacBooks feature Intel Core Duo chips, with prices starting at $1099.
Apple are attempting to cash in on the student market by rolling these out ready for the new school year, therefore they should be available by September 2006.
MacBooks available here.
If Apple keeps to the schedule of launch events for the iPhone over the last few years, then we can expect the iPhone 14 to be announced, and likely be launched sometime in September. The predicted date is currently September 7 for the announcement, and likely open for pre-orders a few days later.
We can probably expect the usual updates such as better cameras, a faster processor, as well as some cosmetic changes. Listing those changes doesn’t particularly sound too exciting, although for those who keep hold of their iPhones for a few years at a time, a speed bump and better camera is always welcome.
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THe picture below shows a very early prototype iPhone. The device measures 5 x 7 inches and has exposed circuit boards along with a number of regular ports such as a serial port, ethernet and USB. It was posted by ARS who got their information from an ex Apple employee who worked on the project (but wants to remain anonymous).
The device is said to be a development prototype so that developers could test software on a real device. Of couse, the physical appearance isn’t even close to the iPhone, but it was good enough to run the necessary software to get the company going.
iFixit has done the traditional tear down of the new iPhone 5. The device has just launched here in the UK within the last couple of hours, but over in Australia it has already been available since yesterday due to time zone differences.
The teardown revealed that to get inside you simply need to unscrew a couple of pentelobe screws and after that, use a suction cup to pull the screen off the front. This is a far better design when compared to the likes of the iPhone 4 and 4S as on those versions you had to remove the back of the device and fight through a bunch of electronics to get to the screen to prise it out. Now a screen replacement is just a matter of unfastening the screws, taking the screen off and putting a new one in place.
Redmondpie has been very helpful by putting together a video of all the new features to be found in iOS 6. The demonstration shows both the iPad running iOS 6 and an iPhone running the new operating system. The iPhone is a 4S while the iPad is an iPad 3 (or the new iPad as it’s officially known as).
Yesterday, Apple [AAPL] released iOS 6 to the public. The new version builds on previous versions of the operating system. It is compatible with all iPhone models down to the 3GS as well as the latest 2 generations of iPod touch and the iPad 2 and iPad 3. For those running the latest gen iPhone 5 (released tomorrow), this OS makes use of the larger screen and also has all the apps adapted to fill the extra space on the screen.
After many months of speculation and leaks, most of which were correct I might add, the iPhone 5 has finally been announced. The new smartphone is called the iPhone 5 and brings several new things to the iPhone range.
Although the invitation to a press event has a 12 for the date I assume and a number 5 in the shadow, these were put together to mean iPhone 5 announced on September 12. But, a “leaked” picture of what looks to be a packaging printing machine now seems to show that the iPhone might just be referred to as iPhone with using the same naming as the new iPad… ie, “The new iPhone”. The font, text, bolding and upper case letters are all in the right places when compared to the latest gen iPad, so perhaps this is correct.
A few moments ago I posted a picture of what someone thinks the iPad mini will look like, should Apple decide to launch it. This post is now about an iPhone 5. The device is a mockup created by a case manufacturer who apparently has the official specs ready for a launch in the next few weeks. The device is not working and is literally just parts cut out to match the dimensions that Apple has provided.
Instead of a picture, the Verge managed to spend some time with the case manufacturer although the company behind the mockup didn’t want to be identified, understandably.
It’s hard to know where to draw the line between rumour and hopes. A lot of rumours are spread about devices such as Android tablets as well as iPhones and iPads. The latest relates to the relatively new Nexus 7 tablet from Google. The rumour hints that a 3G model will be arriving within weeks… as in sometime in September.
Well, I can’t say I expected to see something written about the build costs of the un-announced and only rumoured iPad mini… but today, I see that someone has added together the cost of all the leaked parts and estimated that it will cost Apple $189.32 to built each iPad mini.
The iPad mini has been rumoured to cost $299 when launched… and I will add “if launched” to that as it has been rumoured each year since 2010 without being launched yet.
A few days ago an picture of a front panel on an iPhone 5 went around the web. This particular image had a picture of a square device at the top right (when looking at the panel from the back). Matching it up to an earlier patent that Apple filed as well as some speculation based on Passbook being added to iOS 6, many people, including me, mentioned that NFC could be coming to the iPhone 5.
Well, AnandTech has commented that NFC is unlikely. The reason for this is how the iPhone 5 has been built. If all the leaked parts are official then the back of the iPhone will have a metal and glass back. The glass portions at the back are classed as RF windows which can let radio waves through. But, as they are quite small it is unlikely that NFC built in to this configuration will work correctly.
