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Tag: apple

  • 4th gen iPad gets the iFixit treatment

    Alongside the iPad Mini, Apple also announced the new 4th gen iPad. The refresh of the iPad 3 gets updates in a few key aspects. It’s got the new Lightning Connector so it’s future proof, and the old A5X chip is now replaced by the all new A6X which offers twice the performance. All for the same price. Though externally the 4th gen iPad is the same as iPad 3 (except the connector), let’s check out whether anything has changed internally with the iFixit teardown.

    ifixit2 4th gen iPad gets the iFixit treatment

    Design wise Apple has not changed anything internally. That is not surprising considering it’s a minor refresh and not a full upgrade. This particular version of the 4th gen iPad has a LG made display. We’re not sure if Samsung is still a supplier but considering the sour relations, we won’t hold our breath on that one. The other change is obviously the logic board which now has an A6X chip on it. The front facing camera also gets a boost to Facetime HD from the previous 0.3MP unit. And there’s the new Lightning Connector.

    Repairability as expected gets a rather poor 2 out of 10 which means you’ll be replacing your shiny new tablet if anything goes wrong.

  • Apple updates its online apology to Samsung

    The ongoing legal battles of Apple and Samsung have interestingly enough managed to create a saga within a saga. That the recent UK court verdict. Apple was ordered to run online and newspaper ads stating that Samsung did not in fact infringe their devices. The devices in question are the Galaxy Tab series and the iPad. Apple complied with the verdict and did run an online apology. Unfortunately it didn’t go as plan. The apology was slammed by the UK court as being incorrect. Apple was ordered to rewrite a new one within 48 hours. And sure enough, the new apology is online.

    apology Apple updates its online apology to Samsung

    The new apology, as seen above is more to the point and direct. The original one at best a poor attempt which can best be described as being overly snarky. The new apology has been online for a day now and so far it hasn’t ruffled any feathers. Apple has also done its part in running the newspaper advert which has also so far not gathered unneeded attention. Let’s hope this is the last we hear of it and the chapter can be closed. Unfortunately though this was only the UK side of things, the war still rages on.

  • Factory unlocked iPhone 5 prices leaked on Apple’s website

    Apple announced the latest iPhone 5 a month ago. The reception was lukewarm despite a relatively new design and upgraded internals. As it is always the case, Apple priced the iPhone 5 at the same level the previous iPhones were at launch. $199 for 16GB version on contract and then going up depending on storage. However there are those who do not like to buy phones on contract. Those who want a factory unlocked iPhone 5.

    ip Factory unlocked iPhone 5 prices leaked on Apples website

    Fortunately for them the US Apple online store is starting to show signs of a factory unlocked iPhone 5. Currently it’s still showing contract based version. However if you search for ‘iphone 5 factory unlocked’ the Apple Store results pane on the right will show the factory unlocked iPhone 5. The phone itself isn’t actually available on the website, it’s likely that these results are saved in the database and ready for public visibility when the factory unlocked iPhone 5 is available.

    The units are priced at $649 for the 16GB version, $749 for the 32GB model, and $849 for the 64GB iteration which is the same as the iPhone 4S at launch. It’s expected that Apple will make the factory unlocked iPhone 5 available for purchase by the end of the year after the roll out in completed in all countries.

  • iOS 6.1 to bring Movie ticket purchasing via Siri

    Apple is currently working hard to get iOS 6.1 out as soon as they can. Since the beta was only recently released not a lot is known about iOS 6.1. We do know that maps will play a big part in this update. Apple fix, or try to fix whatever issues that have plagued the maps app. Now another cool new feature in iOS 6.1 has leaked. It’s the ability to buy movie tickets.

    siri iOS 6.1 to bring Movie ticket purchasing via Siri

    The picture above shows how it will be done. Movie tickets buying will take place through Siri. Some of the commands for that are shown above. When a user asks for a particular movie, Siri will show the showtimes and theatre information depending on your location. They can then click the buy tickets button. Ticket buying will take place via Fandango, which is one of the most popular online tickets purchasing services in USA.

    ticket iOS 6.1 to bring Movie ticket purchasing via Siri

    The feature will initially only be available for users in USA. It’s not compatible with all theatres. The compatible theatres will have a relative icon in front of it. Ticket purchasing is hopefully one of many new features to come in iOS 6.1.

    This update is very important from Apple’s point of view and where they stand against Android. If you want, iOS 6.1 is also available for download.

  • Apple charges 43% over iPad mini parts value

    Apple’s newest iPad mini was announced a little over a week ago. The 7.9-inch tablet has gotten great reviews for being beautiful and having a great eco system. There’s not a lot to dislike about the iPad Mini, but if there was something to nitpick, it would be the $329 price tag for the base model. But how much exactly does it cost Apple to make one unit?

    parts Apple charges 43% over iPad mini parts value

    The folks over at IHS iSuppli stripped apart the 16GB version of iPad Mini and found out some interesting facts. Calculating individual costs of each material and adding it up makes the price of the iPad Mini $188. Taking into consideration the $329 price tag means Apple earns a healthy 43% gross margin. Profit margin for the 32GB and 64GB version is 52 percent and 56 percent respectively. The 7.9-inch display and corresponding parts total at $80.

    The 43% margin might sound a lot considering the likes of Amazon or Google just break even on their tablets. But Amazon and Google have the service part of their products where they make up for the lack of any margin on hardware. In addition to that the 43% doesn’t include the countless man hours spent and the millions spent on R&D prior to product launch.

  • Apple releases iOS 6.0.1 update

    Word of an iOS 6.0.1 update got out recently. Previously it was reported to be under carrier testing. However the iOS 6.0.1 update is now live. Apple issued it today and it comes with some minor bug fixes.

    • Fixes a bug that prevents iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air.
    • Fixes a bug where horizontal lines may be displayed across the keyboard.
    • Fixes an issue that could cause camera flash to not go off.
    • Improves reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2 Wi-Fi networks.
    • Resolves an issue that prevents iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances.
    • Consolidated the Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match.
    • Fixes a Passcode Lock bug which sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock screen.
    • Fixes a bug affecting Exchange meetings.

    The update is available for download. You can do it via OTA method by going in settings>general>software. You can also connect your device to iTunes and download from there. Download size is 47MB for iPhone 4S and it may vary from device to device.

    There are some rumours going on around regarding a 6.1 update which is said to be a lot more significant with new features. However not a lot about it is currently known at this point.

  • iFixit tears down the iPad mini

    Apple announced the iPad mini a little over a week ago. It’s a beautiful little tablet that has gotten rave reviews all over the web. At $320 it’s a little pricey but in the end you get what you pay for. Apple hardware quality and an unmatchable tablet eco system. Suffice to say iPad mini is a great purchase. While it looks great from the outside, some of us like to see our gadgets torn apart with their insides hanging out. Luckily iFixit specialises in doing exactly that. Today iPad mini gets the iFixit treatment.

    ifixit1 iFixit tears down the iPad mini

    The biggest surprise is the inclusion of stereo speakers. This was previously not a 100% confirmed but now it is. That makes it the first iDevice to come with stereo speakers. Despite their differences, Samsung is still supplying Apple with displays, and it doesn’t change with the iPad mini. Repairability gets a poor 2 out of 10. The screen is glued to the case. The battery, logic board and headphone jack are also glued down. However the LCD and glass are not fused together and can be replaced independently.

    Suffice to say you won’t be sending in one for repair. Getting it replaced with a new unit would be the way to go.

  • Judge orders Apple to alter its online Samsung apology

    The ongoing Apple vs. Samsung saga has taken yet another turn. Recently Apple’s appeal in the Galaxy Tab case in the UK was denied, and as a result Apple was ordered to post an apology on their website. Apple complied, and an ‘apology’ was posted. However anyone who’s read it will know it didn’t quite sound like an apology.

    The UK court apparently saw the post and it didn’t go down too well. “I’m at a loss that a company such as Apple would do this,” Judge Robin Jacob said. Apple requested a time period of 14 days to come up with a revised statement, a request which was slammed, with one judge saying he ‘cannot believe’ it would take so long.

    The court has given Apple 2 days to come up with a revised post that states the apology clearly. The revised statement must have an 11-point font and be displayed on the company’s website front page. The online apology will remain there for at least six months.

    Apple must have known they had this coming and it’s nice to see the UK court acting so proactively. Whether Apple will learn and will comply with the order will be known in the next two days.

  • iPad Mini reviews roundup

    The iPad Mini was upon us a little over a week ago. In a special event, Apple unveiled its foray into the sub 10-inch tablet market. iPad mini, for all intents and purposes is a shrunken down iPad 2. It’s got the same resolution screen (smaller of course), the same A5 SoC powering it and the same iOS that we have all come to love (or hate). Initial murmurings across the web were somewhat negative, with people calling it too expensive. However now that the device is out, somewhat, let’s have a look at some excerpts from iPad mini reviews from across the web.

    Verge

    • The iPad mini hasn’t wrapped up the “cheapest tablet” market by any stretch of the imagination. But the “best small tablet” market? Consider it captured.
    • There’s something endearing about the mini that makes you want to keep it on-hand and use it often
    • Battery life was — not surprisingly — everything Apple claimed it would be

    Engadget

    • This is, in many ways, Apple’s best tablet yet, an incredibly thin, remarkably light, obviously well-constructed device that offers phenomenal battery life.
    • To consider it just a cheap, tiny iPad is a disservice. This is, simply, a great tablet.
    • Colors are very pleasing to the eye and viewing angles, as ever with an Apple display, do not disappoint
    • Overall, the tablet is very comfortable to hold; its thinness and lightness are both attributes that must be perceived first-hand.

    CNET

    • it’s really shockingly nice to hold.
    • If you’re an obsessive over crisp text, you’ll notice the fuzziness. If you’re comparing the Mini to a laptop, you won’t.
    • What’s unique about the Mini? Without a doubt, it’s the design. It’s cute, it’s discreet, and it’s very, very light.

    TIME

    • If your budget’s got more wiggle room, the iPad Mini is the best compact-sized tablet on the market

    Fox

    • Despite the cheaper price, the iPad mini doesn’t feel cheap. Quite the opposite. When I picked it up, I was reminded of the first time I held a first-generation iPhone. It feels sturdy. Hand-crafted. Expertly made.

    TechCrunch

    • Apple isn’t looking at this as $329 versus $199. They’re looking at this as an impossibly small iPad 2 sold at the most affordable price for an iPad yet. In other words, they’re not looking at the tablet competition. This isn’t a tablet. It’s an iPad. People love these things.

    Click on the links to read the respective iPad mini reviews. So far the initial reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, something not many were expecting from what is effectively a small iPad 2

  • iPad Mini suffering with supply shortages

    Apple announced the brand new iPad mini about a week ago. Though not quite jammed with features as we usually expect from Apple products, it is still quite an impressive product. The WiFi only model was scheduled for a November 2 launch and the LTE versions 2 weeks after that. Unfortunately as it has become customary, Apple has quickly run of supplies and people who ordered their respective models are waking up to find out their shipping dates being altered.

    Initially the shipping date for LTE models was 23rd November for those who ordered it on day 1. This was already a week late than what Apple promised. Now users are finding out the release date being change to ‘mid November’ which is an indication that Apple is running into more delays with no concrete shipping date. Those ordering today might see their shipping date extending even further than November, possibly even in December which is not good.

    These delays might cost Apple in the lucrative holiday season which usually racks in impressive sales figures. Poor supply or impressive demand? Let’s hope whatever the cause of the supply shortage is, it’s resolved soon and people start getting their iPad mini as soon as possible.