Samsung, Apple to Clash with New Smartphones Mid-Year

Apple and Samsung Electronics are both poised for the release of their new smartphones, the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3, in the middle of the year. It is expected to be another occasion for the two archrivals, which dwarf all other handset makers, to clash head-on, but with starkly contrasting strategies. The hype is already building up and is likely to reach its apex in May and June, when the gadgets hit the market.

Industry insiders expect Samsung to unveil the Galaxy S5 in May and Apple to release the iPhone 5 in June. Apple has unveiled new iPhones in June since 2008, with the exception of last year’s iPhone 4S, which was really an upgrade of the iPhone 4 and came out in October.

In venue bookings of the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where Apple has released new iPhones every year, June 11 to 15 are booked for a “corporate meeting.” Given that all other bookings are described in more detail, sleuths in the global press conclude that this must be the Apple junket.

Samsung is likely to try and get a head start on Apple, which seems to have worked in the past. The firm has traditionally unveiled new models at big international IT fairs, so there are predictions that it will pick the CTIA 2012 in the U.S. in May.

Samsung Electronics has released new smartphones before Apple since 2010. In 2010, it unveiled the Galaxy at the International CTIA WIRELESS show in March, and in 2011, it launched Galaxy S2 at the Mobile World Congress in Europe in February.

Their strategies are likely to differ widely, with Apple betting on clever software and Samsung on hardware. There are rumors of an iWallet function that enables users to make payments with phones in the new iPhone. On the other hand, the Galaxy S3 will likely be equipped with a hard-core processor.

The two companies differ most in their attitude to new products. Apple launches only one smartphone and tablet PC a year, while Samsung Electronics pours out any number of different models, some of which sink and some swim. Samsung Electronics CEO Shin Jong-kyun said, “Some people prefer phones with bigger screens, and some like compact models. We will make various different models to cater to the taste of different customers.”

Article source: http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/03/16/2012031601263.html

iPhone 5 rumors: price target raised to $675 by analyst, Apple to be prepared …

In two research notes on Apple Inc. on Friday, UBS analyst Maynard Um estimates that Apple’s next iPhone is slated for an October launch.

UBS’s Maynard Um raised his price target to $675 from $550, adding that he expected that the release of an iPhone 5 this year will be the biggest in Apple’s history.

“We expect Apple to launch its redesigned iPhone 5 in October expect the company to accelerate the number of initial carriers it sells into to drive its biggest launch ever,” the analyst wrote. “Although supply chain constraints are difficult to assess at this point, we expect Apple to be prepared for a big launch. While the iPad 3 reception dividend are important, we believe the iPhone 5 will trump both as a catalyst,” reports The Mac Observer.

“The complete redesign should drive a stronger than average upgrade cycle for existing iPhone users and continue to encourage other smartphone and non-smartphone users to make the switch,” the analyst added.

Based on his theory that the next iPhone will benefit from a big launch, Um lifted his 2013 estimates to $180 billion in revenue and $50.43 per share in profit, higher than the previous $175 .8 billion and $48.83 per share.

However, the analyst notes that supply constraints might be a problem, but that they are currently hard to assess. In Q4 of 2011 Apple sold 37.04 million iPhones.

As for Apple’s other devices, such as the iPad, USB believes that nothing will beat the much-anticipated iPhone 5.

“While the iPad 3 reception and use of cash issues are important, we believe the iPhone 5 will trump both as a catalyst in 2012,” the analyst wrote.

Article source: http://www.inrumor.com/in/technology/iphone-5-rumors-price-target-raised-to-675-by-analyst-apple-to-be-prepared-for-a-big-launch/

iPhone 4S shows 4G icon after getting iOS update 5.1

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The new iPhone 4S was released and of course millions flocked to the Apple web site and stores to pick on up even though they wish they had the iPhone 5 instead.  The iPhone 4S just received an iOS 5.1 update and now users are starting to see a “4G” icon on the top of the screen they didn’t notice before.  Did the update turn a 3G device into a 4G device?  According to blogs and news stories on the Web, yes it did.  Even the release notes for the update didn’t really say specifically anything about 4G, but they did say, “Updated ATT network indicator”.

The truth behind the update and the 4G indicator goes a little something like this.  Users that are connected to ATT’s HSPA+ network, which is not really 4G, will see a 4G indicator icon.  The connect does provide a 14.4Mbps data connection, Apple calls it 4G, even though it is not the same as 4G on the Verizon Wireless network.  4G is not really a technical term, but really has been used as more of a marketing term for newer mobile devices and mobile data networks.

A rumor that hit the Web back in October leaked an ATT memo that showed the company will be working closely with Apple in order to bring 4G speeds to the iPhone users on the network.  The rumor was later confirmed as true.  Apple held an event last week in order to show off the new iPad and there the senior VP of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, said the iPhone’s dual antenna system would allow for better call quality and faster speeds, “up to 14.4Mbps down”.  Schiller went on to say that, “if you follow the phone industry, these numbers might sound familiar. 5.8 up, 14.4 down.  This [speed] is what the majority of our competitors claim when they talk about 4G performance.”

When asked about 4G LTE or HSPA+ networks, Schiller said, “We’re not going to get into a debate in the industry what’s 4G and what isn’t; we leave that for others to talk about”.  Apple then released figures that show the iPhone 4S had two times the download speed of the iPhone 4 and comparable speeds to the HTC Inspire and Motorola Atrix 4G.  All in all, it appears that HSPA+ networks stack up pretty well against genuine 4G LTE networks.

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Article source: http://www.technobloom.com/iphone-4s-shows-4g-icon-after-getting-ios-update-5-1/226791/

iPhone 5 to Become the Best iPhone Ever?

Talk of the new iPhone 5 and its prospective features is rife nowadays, especially following the launch of both the new iPad and an improved version of the Apple TV. This rings true even as there are several sources, such as Japanese blog Macotakara, who believe the newest version of Apple’s flagship smartphone may be out in October. Since it may be another half-year at least before we see the iPhone 5, is it right for us to expect what should clearly be the best iPhone to date?

Let’s take a look at some of these iPhone 5 rumors and expectations, particularly those connected to the New iPad. To kick off, the new handset may benefit from the same Retina Display technology found on the New iPad, as well as a larger screen.

There has been speculation that Apple may finally keep up with the Joneses and enlarge the screen to at least 4 inches. 4G LTE also debuted on the New iPad, which could mean other iDevices may be soon to ride the LTE wave.

Since the third-gen iPad will be using a dual-core A5X, does that mean a quad-core A6 will power the iPhone 5? That’s possible.

But that’s not all – there has also been talk of a 3D camera, Gorilla Glass 2 reinforcement and waterproofing, to name some miscellaneous rumors. Looking at all the potential features above, anything less than an iPhone 5 with several enhancements over the iPhone 4S would be an utter disappointment.

That said, it may likely be more expensive than a iPhone 4S, but if these rumors are true, then the iPhone 5, when finally out, should be worth every cent.

Related posts:

iPhone 5 Rumors: Business Analysts Predict Grand iPhone 5 Launch

iPhone 5 Rumors: Could New iPad Be a Preview for iPhone 5 Specs?

iPhone 5 To Feature A6 Dual Core CPU?

iPhone 5 Features: A Look at What Lies in Store for the iPhone 5

iPhone 5 Rumor Update: Release Schedules and New Features

Article source: http://easternmorningherald.com/iphone-5-to-become-the-best-iphone-ever/122510/

Apple iPhone 5 Release Rumors: 3 New Patents That May Become Features

The next-gen iPhone, a.k.a. “iPhone 5,” isn’t expected to launch until later this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t daydream about what’s inside. While little is truly known about the next iPhone, Apple loves to surprise fans with bold new features, and a number of recently-approved Apple patents could provide hints as to what we’ll see come September or October.

Apple has always been conscious of protecting its intellectual properties, because many Apple patents, from the minor “Slide to Unlock” feature to the user interface for call management, have been copied and replicated by competitors, including Google and Android. These three new patents, however, could someday be the “killer apps” that help make the next-gen iPhone a revolutionary mobile device. 

The iWallet

Apple won a major patent on March 6 for a piece of technology called the “iWallet,” which is a digital system that gives the user complete control over their subsidiary financial accounts on their iPhone, and also leverages Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology to complete credit card transactions directly on the phone as well.

Apple patented this technology at a great time, as the mobile payments space is taking off and is projected to be a future multi-billion dollar industry.

The iWallet has many different features, but it’s all presented in a simple and easy-to-use way. On the iWallet home screen on the iPhone, users can see their entire credit card profiles, view statements and messages from their banks, and even adjust preferences or add additional cards. Within the preferences, users can schedule regular credit card payments and even set parental controls for their children, should they also want to use their iPhones as digital wallets. Under the parental controls, if a child exceeds a certain monetary limit — set by the parent, of course — the transaction could request an authorization from the parent (via their iPhone), or simply decline the request. It’s extremely easy, and it makes perfect sense for those who want to manage family funds.

With an NFC chip in the iPhone, iWallet can also complete financial transactions. Merchants can set their own rules, restricting users from completing transactions based on item limits, spending limits, time period or geographic limits. When it comes time to pay for an item, the user swipes their iPhone near a designated receiver, and the transaction is completed securely and automatically.

Outside of the iPhone, users can keep track of their payments and statements within the iTunes billing system, which keeps credit card information and records safe and secure. There’s a possibility that iWallet could also work with other Apple utilities, which could allow users to buy things like movie tickets directly within the apps, but only time will tell with that one.

The Photographer’s Timer

Apple continues to improve upon the camera infrastructure in its iPhones, but as far as camera software goes, the iPhone has remained largely unchanged. That will change if the iPhone 5 includes the patent for a new iDevice self-timer, granted on March 8, which comes with a unique twist.

Traditionally, self-timing cameras are used to take pictures of a big group, or a self-portrait. But in Apple’s self-timer, the camera will know that you are the “photographer” that also wants to be in the picture, and the iPhone will simply wait until it detects your face to take the picture.

“But what about interruptions? What happens if I get a call after I set the self-timer?” Wonder no more. If you set the timer and then your phone goes off, the timer will still wait until it has detected, recognized and verified that you are the photographer and that you’re in place for the photo.

Now if only Apple patented a tripod…

Multi-Player Gaming

On March 15, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) published a patent application from Apple that describes a system for multi-player gaming. Similar to how the new Garageband’s “Jam Session” feature allows groups of people to play different musical instruments together, the multiplayer gaming technology will allow groups of iPhone and iDevice users to play together, and even see the same game from different perspectives.

Believe it or not, the multiplayer game system mimics that of the “Find My Friends” app, in which a user’s device detects other nearby devices that it recognizes as “friends,” and invites them to all join a common application. The unique technology also determines the relative position of those devices, so some games — like turn-based role-playing games or card games — can be played in a specific order.

The crux of Apple’s solution determines the relative position of many devices by taking pictures of a tag, and the system monitors those shared images and decides their relative positions. Apple’s technology can define a position in two or three dimensions relative to the original tag, and by transmitting a positioning matrix to the other iDevices, the information creates a comprehensive map of the devices.

Once the order is set, the users can cooperate and play with each one another as content is simultaneously broadcasted and received on the iPhone. This can work for multiple players playing the same displayed content (ex: a racing game), or multiple users playing against each other in a game (ex: a hand-to-hand fighting game like “Mortal Kombat”), or multiple users taking turns to play the game (like a board game or “Jenga”). Virtual avatars even represent one’s position by displaying the avatar from a different perspective depending on the position of the player relative to the tag.

The iPhone 5: What We Know So Far

As of January, Apple was reportedly gearing up to begin production on the iPhone 5. A source from within China’s Foxconn manufacturing plant told 9 to 5 Mac that various different sample iPhone prototypes were floating around the floor, but there were a number of common features among the phones, including displays that measure at least 4 inches, and longer and wider form factors that do not match that of the iPhone 4 or 4S. The iPhone 5 will reportedly retain the rectangular shape of its predecessors, which would put to bed rumors of a thinner teardrop shape.

Previous reports have said the Apple iPhone 5 will feature an improved version of Siri, the voice-activated AI system that was only released as a beta in the iPhone 4S, as well as a bigger screen. Last November, Hitachi and Sony reportedly began shipping 4-inch LCD panels for final production of “new iOS devices” believed to be the next-generation iPhone. Upgrading the iPhone’s 3.5-inch screen to a 4-inch display would require a rebuilt Retina Display, but a bigger screen would help Apple compete against phone makers that make bigger screens, such as Samsung, while also providing a more immersive iPhone experience.

Before Apple unveiled the iPhone 4S on Oct. 4, the Internet was flooded with photos of a thin, large-screen iPhone 4. The photos were widely believed to be doctored until one Chinese site discovered “mold engineerings” of an iPhone 4 with a noticeably larger screen. The renderings depicted an edge-to-edge design for the iPhone’s screen, which looked to measure about 3.7 inches. Component industry trackers believed that the images represented Apple’s wish to compete with rival devices with bigger screens.

Apple wants its next generation of mobile devices to look beautiful, and the company is reportedly working on giving its devices greater pixel density. Bigger screens with more pixels in the Retina Display mean higher resolution for watching movies and viewing detailed images, from PDFs to X-rays to MRIs to 3D architectural renderings. Even text will appear rich and razor-sharp. While the new iPad doubles the pixel density of the iPad 2, it’s likely that Apple would reconfigure the iPhone’s Retina Display, not only to feature more pixels, but also to match a slightly bigger screen. Apple fans and users would benefit from a bigger and more beautiful Retina Display, but this switch could force app developers to learn an entirely new way to write their iOS software.

Given that the new iPad is also the first iDevice to feature LTE, it’s a near-certainty that the high-speed network will also come to the next iPhone. Apple originally hoped to include LTE in the iPhone 4S, but Tim Cook nixed that idea, as “first generation LTE chipsets force a lot of design compromises.” Apple would have needed to increase the phone’s thickness to accommodate a larger circuit board and a bigger battery, as it did in the new iPad.

“The iPhone 4 PCB [printed circuit board] is already incredibly small, not leaving any room for an extra chip to enable LTE without shrinking the size of the battery,” said Anand Shimpi, a chip expert and CEO of Anandtech.

Fortunately, Qualcomm recently unveiled the fifth iteration of its new chip, which supports TD-SCDMA, TD-LTE, HSPA+, EV-DO, embedded GPS, and LTE on TDD and FDD networks worldwide. The chip works with Android and Windows 8 devices, but by targeting so many different carriers, there’s a high degree of likelihood that this will be the same chip inside the iPhone 5.

The fall could be a busy season for Apple, which could release the iPhone 5 alongside a smaller, 8-inch iPad, which is also expected to debut in October. The original report from Apple’s Taiwanese supply chain was later confirmed by The Wall Street Journal, which said Apple is working on an 8-inch iPad. 

On Jan. 24, Cook released Apple’s record-breaking Q1 2012 earnings, announcing $46.33 billion in overall earnings, $13.1 billion in profit and $17.5 billion in cash for the quarter that ended Dec. 31, 2011. In the last 14 weeks of the year, Apple sold 37 million iPhones, 15.4 million iPads and 5.2 million Macs.

“We’re thrilled with our outstanding results and record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs,” Cook said. “Apple’s momentum is incredibly strong, and we have some amazing new products in the pipeline.”

Cook echoed this sentiment at the March 7 Apple event in San Francisco, where he debuted the new iPad but also added, “We’re just getting started.”

Article source: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/315376/20120316/apple-iphone-5-release-rumors-patents-features.htm

Rumor has it: Ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy S III render pops up on Reddit

While we are no where close to the iPhone 5 launch, but one has to admit after the iPhone 5, the Samsung Galaxy S III is perhaps the most sought after and most rumored smartphone on the planet. Adding to its kitty of pre-launch rumors, today a render of the prophetic device has popped up on Reddit, which features an ultra-thin industrial design, hardware buttons and a display showing off dollops of the TouchWiz skin. Apart from looking more legit than any other Samsung Galaxy S III rumor we have reported on, the image render also features a logo of Weber Shandwick, a PR company known for handling Samsung’s accounts.

As far as the rendered industrial design goes, we have an edge-edge display which is amongst the most expected features of the device, but interestingly if this render is the real deal there are hints to seen in relation to the official unveil of the device.  The TouchWiz facia features a calendar entry of May 22 and a weather widget display of London. Perhaps these could be indicators for the launch date and venue, but then again this whole render could be a fake, so it is advisable to take it with a pinch of salt. For what’s its worth, this render looks the part from whatever that has been doing rounds on the Internet and the May 22 unveil also sits well with our previously predicted launch date for the device. One should also note that, the device is reportedly already in production.

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Tags: Android, render, Samsung, Samsung Galaxy S III

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Article source: http://www.bgr.in/manufacturers/samsung/rumor-has-it-ultra-thin-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-render-pops-up-on-reddit/