Apple iPhone 4G in June?

Apple’s next update to the blockbuster iPhone handset is expected by one prominent analyst to have a lower total cost of ownership, and to also include new gesture-based functionality.

Katy Huberty with Morgan Stanley maintains that the biggest barrier to greater iPhone adoption is the cost of the hardware, followed by the service plan. The investment in the device has been its biggest issue in both developed markets like the U.S. and emerging ones like China.

But Huberty expects Apple to address that in June, by introducing a new model that will be economically friendly to even more consumers.

“We expect Apple to launch new iPhones in June that offer both a lower total cost of ownership and new functionality, potentially including gesture-based technology,” she wrote in a new note to investors Friday.

In 2009, when Apple introduced the new iPhone 3GS, the company also dropped the price of the previous year’s iPhone 3G to $99. However, despite the lower price point, the high end iPhone 3GS was still the most popular option for consumers.

In addition to lower cost of ownership for the iPhone, Huberty remains bullish on AAPL stock because of the forthcoming iPad launch in March. Here she is particularly optimistic, projecting shipments of 6 million devices in the 2010 calendar year, versus Wall Street’s average projections of 3 million to 4 million.

“We expect Apple to ship its first iPad and announce additional content deals in late March to better than expected demand,” Huberty wrote. “We see the iPad targeting the sub-$800 consumer notebook market which equates to 30M annual units just in the US (120M globally.”

Morgan Stanley has maintained its “overweight” rating for AAPL stock, with a price target of $250.

In the past, Huberty was notoriously negative on AAPL stock, suggesting the iPhone was too expensive even at a $199 price point. In late 2008, she predicted that iPhone sales would suffer because Apple had priced the product too high.

But last year, Huberty turned positive on Apple, stating that the company had become the “clear leader in the battle over the mobile Internet.”

by appleinsider.com

Apple files alt iPhone input, physical “key” login patents

Two recently published patent applications from Apple caught our attention for their craftiness. One shows how to use the iPhone’s camera as an alternate gesture input method; the other details a system using a uniquely shaped signet to log in to a computer.

The first patent, “Camera as Input Interface,” adds alternate input methods for a touchscreen phone, particularly useful when the touchscreen is pressed against your face during a phone call. The patent describes a method using the built-in camera as a gesture detector, recognizing “swiping” up, down, left, or right using a finger. The gestures could be used to control voicemail, for instance, by swiping “forward” or “back” to skip to the next or previous message. The input could be augmented with accelerometer data to recognize a “tap” as well, according to the patent application.

MacRumors notes that Apple has filed a number of alternate input methods for the iPhone, including a rear surface or an outer bezel that are also touch-sensitive.

The second patent, “Shape Detecting Input Device,” describes a system using a touchscreen to recognize uniquely shaped signets, and to perform actions associated with a specific shape. One application would be to log in a unique user based on the recognized shape. This is similar to the now-defunct practice of stamping a seal from a signet ring into sealing wax to verify a document’s authenticity or source. If such a signet were indeed on a ring, it could also be used to unlock an iPhone.

Apple’s patent suggests that unique signet shapes could be embedded in a ring, a tag, a card, a stamp, or even a key. Other suggested actions initiated by the signet shape recognition include configuring a system to a unique user’s needs, launching certain applications, or encrypting or decrypting messages or other content, making the signet like a modern, high-tech decoder ring.

by arstechnica.com

iPhone OS 3.2 rumors: an iPad camera, video calling and more

iPhone owners might not have access to iPhone OS 3.2 yet, but it’s already running on the new iPad. Our sister site, Engadget, was able to score some of the details of the new features in 3.2, and it sounds like it’s going to be great for both the iPhone and the iPad. The biggest surprise might be the inclusion of some video calling code that even includes multitasking while on a video call. This suggests a couple of things, either one of which would be awesome:

1) The next version of the iPad is getting a camera. This is the least immediately helpful possibility, but it also sounds completely likely. A lot of tech pundits assumed the first-gen iPad would include a camera, so I’d bet on seeing it next time around.

2) Multitasking is coming to the iPhone sooner rather than later. Although a video call and another task at once might be a lot to ask on the small screen – and not that useful, either – we can at least hope that the next software update brings the ability to run third-party apps in the background. The iPad already has wicked multitasking potential, with the introduction of new popover windows that don’t take up the entire screen.

Another useful new feature rumored for 3.2 is the ability to download and locally store files using Safari, and open them in other apps. The lack of access to the iPhone’s filesystem is one of the biggest reasons that fans of more open mobile operating systems scoff at Apple, and, although this wouldn’t totally shut down that line of criticism, it would be a step in the right direction. File uploading is also reportedly included in the update.

Bing to Replace Google as iPhone’s Default Search Engine

Business Week is running quite an interesting story regarding ongoing talks between Apple and Microsoft that would make Bing as the default search engine on the iPhone, replacing Google. Citing sources familiar to the matter, the said talks have been going on for a week now. This is interesting because it not only shows the growing rivalry between Google and Apple but also because Apple and Microsoft used to be rivals, or remains to be rivals in the computer market.

Of course we all know what triggered Apple’s decision to replace Google with Bing as the iPhone’s default search engine. Google’s entry to the smartphone market with the Nexus One. The Nexus One phone and Google’s total business model for it including the Android OS, despite its shortcomings and flaws, have been hailed as one of the worthiest iPhone killer if not worthiest opponent.

Obviously, Apple did not like Google’s latest foray and will not just take it sitting down. Hence, the for its first salvo, replacing the iPhone’s search engine into Bing.

But would Microsoft agree this deal? And would this deal be on a long-term basis or is Apple just buying some time before it comes up with its own mobile search engine?

The answers to these questions depend on how far the Apple – Microsoft deal would go. There are many kinks to be ironed out if such deal is to push through. More particularly on revenue sharing derived from mobile search ads.

For Apple is purely about retaliating against Google. For Microsoft, it’s more of giving its Bing search engine a boost in terms of possible increase usage and mobile search market share. Both companies are sure to benefit from this deal. But did Apple even considered the loyal iPhone users who prefer Google as their phone’s search engine?

Let’s see what will come up from this deal. Who knows it might work to Google’s advantage?

Apple event set for Jan. 27

10.00am, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San-Francisco

Apple officially alerted the world Monday that it is ready to unveil its latest tinkerings — which many in the tech industry are betting will be a multimedia tablet computing slate — on the morning of Jan. 27.

The media hordes and analysts are being invited to San Francisco, where it is presumed company CEO Steve Jobs will show off the latest gadgets and services from Apple.

The invitation is as vague as it is inviting. “Come see our latest creation,” the mass e-mail read.

Although the company has officially declined to comment, industry insiders and analysts have been speculating for weeks that Apple will be entering the market for a lightweight, portable tablet computer, designed for consumers to interact with digital games, books, movies and other types of content.

It is expected to be priced in the $800 to $1,000 range. Numerous sources point to a March ship date for the new device.

Several companies, including Hewlett-Packard, Redmond-based Microsoft and Lenovo, already have tablets on the market, while Seattle-based Amazon.com and other companies are seeing favorable sales of e-readers, which are tabletlike devices designed specifically for reading books.

The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that HarperCollins Publishers is negotiating with Apple to make electronic books available for Apple’s tablet, a move that would pose a new challenge to Amazon.

iPhone OS 4.0 could see ‘imminent’ release, developer hints

Evidence continues to suggest Apple could soon introduce a new version of the iPhone operating system, this time with an alleged high-profile developer claiming their software was just updated for iPhone OS 4.0.

Rick Broida with CNet’s iPhone Atlas said Friday that he received an e-mail from a “prominent app developer” regarding an update to the iPhone operating system. “Just wanted to give you a heads up that we’ve submitted an updated app for the new iPhone OS 4.0 software,” the e-mail allegedly said. Additional details on the supposed software were not given.

Earlier this month, it was alleged that Apple’s rumored Jan. 27 event could include the introduction of iPhone OS 4.0. One report claimed the new software developer kit includes a “simulator” that makes it easy for developers to adapt to different screen resolutions.

Apple is widely expected to introduce its long-rumored tablet device at the event later this month. This week, one rumor claimed that Apple has not issued any updates for the iPhone in some time because the next version has many tablet-related references that the company did not want to leak in advance of its planned unveiling.

Also this week, one developer contacted AppleInsider when a single handset using iPhone OS 4.2 appeared in his Pinch Media statistics for an iPhone application. The identifier could theoretically have been faked, and it’s not clear why a new version of the iPhone OS being tested would skip the 4.0 distinction.

Intel promo points to new Core i5 MacBook Pro

It’s a pretty safe bet Apple will eventually incorporate Intel’s latest processors into its MacBook lineup, though when that will happen is still unknown.
But on Wednesday, AppleInsider got its hands on an e-mail promotion sent to participants in the Intel Retail Edge Program (IREP)–a training program for Intel sales representatives–that hints something might be coming soon. The e-mail to participants includes this language: “January Prize Draw: Win a MacBook Pro. Pass this month’s trainings for 2 chances to win one of 2 MacBook Pro laptops with the accelerated response of an Intel Core i5 processor.”
Reached for comment, an Intel spokesman said, “There was an error on IREP and we are investigating.”
It could have been a mistake in the language in the e-mail, or–and this seems more likely–the mistake could have been that it was sent out too early. MacBook Pros with Arrandale architecture, which includes the Core i5 processor, have been anticipated for some time, as my colleague Brooke Crothers wrote on Monday. Check out his post for more about what to expect if Apple does indeed add Intel’s latest silicon to its notebook lineup.

Apple tablet supply chain points to Q2 launch

Suppliers for Apple Inc’s new tablet computer have begun shipping touchscreen panels and will start delivering aluminum casings for it next month, sources said, implying a second-quarter product launch.

AVY Precision Technology Inc, a Taiwanese manufacturer of covers for electronic products, will begin production of the cases in February, two sources familiar with the situation said on Friday.

TPK Solutions, an unlisted touch screen panel maker also based in Taiwan will also supply panels for the product, a third source said, on top of those already being manufactured by another Taiwan company, Wintek Corp.

“Production of the cases will begin in February, so everything points to a second-quarter launch right now,” said one of the sources. “It doesn’t take that long for the company to assemble the PC together, but a second-quarter shipment date is what we’re looking at now.”

The sources declined to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Apple’s spokesman would not comment. Officials at AVY and TPK also declined to comment.

A barrage of manufacturers are jockeying for attention ahead of Apple’s widely expected announcement of a 10- to 11-inch tablet computer in late January, which analysts say could redefine the nascent category much as the iPhone did for phones. Apple has not publicly confirmed its existence.

Hewlett-Packard Co, Microsoft Corp, Dell Inc and Lenovo Group Ltd were among the global technology names that launched thin, touchscreen, multimedia devices this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

These wireless gadgets can stream video, download music, surf the Web and play games, aiming to win over consumers by bridging the gap between smartphones and laptops.

Some analysts doubt consumers would take to tablets or slates, which join a market crowded with netbooks, e-readers, smartphones and laptops of all configurations.

Most technology companies do their own design work in-house, but outsource much of the assembly and manufacturing to companies based in Asia, which operate large production facilities in lower cost countries.

Next-gen iPhone rumored for April

The next iPhone will appear as soon as April and will include a host of upgrades that include a dual-core processor, improved graphics, video chat, an OLED display, plus – and this one is hard to believe – a removable battery.

Or so say two reports out of Korea on Tuesday, one from The Korea Times and the other from Telecoms Korea, which cites the Korean-language Etnews. The former relies for the most part on sources at Korea mobile provider KT, while the latter adds details from a mole at Apple Korea.

A KT source has built-in cred, seeing as how the company is South Korea’s second largest mobile phone carrier and Apple’s Korean iPhone supplier. They’re a successful partner as well, with 220,000 iPhone 3GS sales by the end of last year, according to TKT, including 60,000 sold in their first weekend of availability at the end of last November.

Although both reports refer to the upcoming Cupertino smartphone as the “iPhone 4G” or “4G iPhone,” it’s 99 per cent certain that the “G” refers to “generation” and not 4G wireless broadband capability as, for example, Sprint and Clearwire brand their WiMAX service.

The original iPhone was announced in January 2007 and shipped in June of that year. The iPhone 3G was announced in June 2008 and shipped in July. And the iPhone 3GS was announced and shipped in June of 2009. Ipso facto, the next iPhone would be the fourth generation, hence iPhone 4G.

But even without a 4G broadband speed bump, KT’s iPhone has some enticing tricks up its unsubstantiated-rumor sleeve. According to a source that TKT identified as “a high-ranking KT executive,” the new phone will have – as The Reg reported last March as a possibility for the iPhone 3GS – an OLED display, as does Google’s new Nexus One.

The same exec also said that the new iPhone would have what TKT refers to as “live video chat functionalities,” which the Etnews’s Apple Korea mole clarified by saying that the phone would have two camera modules, one front-facing and one peeking out the back as in all previous iPhones.

One tidbit that seems out of character for Apple would be the TKT source’s assertion that a removable battery for the phone “is highly likely.” Seeing as how Apple has sealed all its batteries tight inside devices from the first iPod through the latest MacBooks we find this detail highly unlikely.

When the first sealed-battery MacBook was introduced one year ago, an Apple rep told The Reg that the trade-off for a lack of a user-replaceable battery was the ability to fit more battery cells inside that laptop, thus allowing for longer battery life between charges. Since the Etnews’ Apple Korea mole claimed that the new iPhone would have “up to double” the battery life of the iPhone 3GS, we find a move to removable batteries questionable.

Another oddity in the KT exec’s story is that the company plans to offer the new phone to large corporate clients as a “litmus test” in April, then open general sales in June – a sequence not seen in previous Apple dealings

The KT exec also told TKT that the new iPhone would have a dual-core processor and higher-resolution graphics. Whether that rumored processor upgrade would be based on the ARM Cortex-9 MPCore or ARM11 MPCore, a chip arising from Apple’s own acquisition of PA Semi back in 2008, or something else entirely is of course both unknown and – without Cupertino spilling the beans – unknowable. Likewise the chip providing improved graphics, although Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR SGX Series5XT GPU comes to mind.

Higher-resolution graphics seem a safe bet for the next generation of iPhones, seeing as how the current iPhone’s display is a behind-the-curve HVGA 480-by-320 pixel, 3.5-inch TFT LCD, while that pesky upstart the Nexus One enjoys a lovely WVGA 800-by-480 pixel, 3.7-inch AMOLED.

Of course, rumors – even those claimed to be from informed insider sources – are to be taken lightly. But if this one is true, here’s hoping that Apple doesn’t tag its next phone with the name “4G” – there’s enough confusion in the tech world as it is. ®

Some more rumours about 2009 iPhone.

Apple iPhone Apps, a site with no known track record (which is also down right now) just leaked a July 17 release date and a bunch of specs for the next iPhone. They look fishy.

The July 17 release could technically be possible, since it’s on a Friday and Apple’s been releasing their iPhones on Fridays, but the specs are weird.

• 32GB and 16GB storage (up from the current 16GB and 8GB models)
• $199 and $299 price points to be maintained
• 3.2-megapixel camera (up from the current 2-megapixel camera)
• Video-recording and editing capabilities
• Ability to send a picture & video via MMS
• Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device
• OLED screen
• 1.5 times the battery life of the current models
• Double the RAM and processing power
• Built-in FM transmitter
• Apple logo on back will glow
• Rubber-tread backing
• Sleeker design
• Built-in compass
• The camera, GPS, compass and Google map combined will identify photo and inform about photo locations
• Turn-by-turn directions

So what’s weird? The OLED screen, for one. The 1.5x battery life, for two. And a rubber-tread backing/sleeker design for three. It’s still quite cost-prohibitive to use OLED screens on devices, and it’s difficult to see how Apple could shrink down the size of the device to make it “sleeker” while at the same time making the battery 1.5x. Maybe because they’re using an OLED screen?

It’s all very pie in the sky, so don’t take it as literal proof that the next iPhone will have this. And the rubber tread backing may or may not be this leaked image from MacRumors, which isn’t quite rubber, but more of a matte feel than the current version.