Secondary iPhone market is thriving

We often hear about iPhone sales during Apple's quarterly earnings report, but we don't talk about secondary sales very much. This is the market where used iPhones in various conditions are bought and sold. I've been an active participant in this exchange, often selling my old iPhone or iPad to get the current year's model.

AllThingsD details a recent Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) report which reveals that 53 percent of iPhone 4S owners got rid their old handset to buy the new one. These re-purposed handsets were predominantly iPhones (49 percent), followed by BlackBerry (21 percent) and Android (15 percent) phones. Interestingly enough, a lot of the iPhones (31 percent) were gifted, and a smaller percentage (18 percent) were sold.

It's not only advantageous for customers who can get an iPhone for less than retail (I sold my 16 GB iPhone 4 for $275), but carriers benefit, too. Over 89 percent of these gifted iPhones will likely be activated on a wireless carrier. Since the launch of the iPhone 4S, CIRP believes almost 11 percent of iPhone activations are second-hand phones.

CIRP co-founder Mike Levin says secondary sales of the iPhone is a mixed blessing for Apple. The company loses sales because people buy used instead of new phones. Apple, however, gets fresh new customers who will purchase content from the iTunes and the App Store. They may also stay iPhone customers and buy the next model when it's released.

Secondary iPhone market is thriving originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Secondary iPhone market is thriving originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Ends $100 Printer Rebate Program for New Mac Purchases

Since at least 2004, Apple has offered a rebate program that has typically offered users a $100 rebate when they purchase a new Mac and an eligible printer directly from Apple. The program was typically offered as a three-month program that was consistently renewed upon expiration, although in recent years the company shifted toward a perpetual program while reserving the right to discontinue it at any time.


It now appears that Apple has discontinued the program entirely, as retail sources have indicated to both MacRumors and 9to5Mac that Apple has ended the program as of today. From a notice to staff members:

Printer Rebates Ending on January 17

Effective Tuesday, January 17, the printer rebate will no longer be offered.

Monday, January 16 will be the last day customers can get a rebate on a qualifying printer when purchased with a Mac. Customers will have 90 days from the date of purchase to submit rebate claims. An additional 30 days will be given to correct invalid claims.

The Apple Retail Store and the Apple Online Store will continue to sell printers, albeit without a rebate offer.

U.S. and CA only: Wednesday, May 16 is the last day the online Apple Rebate Tool will be available to submit rebates. Customers should submit their claims according to the terms of the promotion.

Apple previously offered a number of rebate programs on various products, but with the discontinuation of the printer rebate program, it appears that the company has eliminated rebates entirely. iWork and MobileMe rebates disappeared in April 2011, and the company had previously offered rebates on the products such as Mac OS X and iLife combination purchases, Mac OS and Microsoft Office combination purchases, and others. Apple previous Back to School rebate program has also been replaced with an iTunes Store/Mac App Store gift card.


Apple continues to offer several printers as optional add-ons when configuring a new Mac in the online store, specifically promoting AirPrint-compatible models, but the printers are being offered at regular retail prices with no promotional rebates or other discounts.


Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• Thermochromatic iPhone Cases Have a Different Look
• A Look at AT&T's Throttling for High-Use Unlimited iPhone Data Customers
• Apple Files New German Lawsuit Targeting Ten Samsung Smartphones
• iTunes Match Goes Live in the Netherlands
• Das Keyboard Releases Model S Professional for Mac

iPad 2 swapped with modelling clay and sold in Vancouver Future Shop store

Canadian retailer Future Shop, part of the Best Buy empire, is investigating a scam where some iPad 2 devices purchased in its Vancouver stores turned out to be fake. It appears that scammers bought as many as ten iPad 2s and swapped them for modelling clay.

Future Shop said scam artists bought Apple’s popular tablet computers with cash, replaced the devices with bags of model clay, resealed the boxes and returned them. The returned fakes were then put back on the shelf and sold to unsuspecting customers. It really saddens Future Shop that people stoop to be this opportunistic and make money is this kind of organized way.

One customer gave his wife one of the iPad 2s for Christmas; she was very shocked to receive an iPad 2 box with just a lump of modelling clay inside. To make matters worse, when he returned the iPad 2, he was apparently treated like a criminal by the store’s manager. Thankfully Future Shop has now refunded the cost of the iPad 2 and given the customer a free iPad 2 as compensation for the mix up.

Source: CTV News

Giveaway: Apple Store Headphone Stand Replica

The style of the Apple store is unmistakeable. With wooden tables and mostly clear acrylic displays, all the shiny Macs and iPads and iPhones on display can be seen in all their glory. Why not bring a bit of that simplistic display home with you so your gadgets can look just as awesome? Of course, I’m not encouraging you to steal from the Apple store. NewMacgadets.com has some really neat display options that mimic those found in the Apple store.

Not long ago we showed you the iPad 2 display docks, and gave a few away to some lucky iMore readers. Today we wanted to show you the Headphone Stand, created to look identical to the ones at your favorite store. Constructed from 1/2″ clear acrylic with non-slip feet and a stainless steel arm, you can conveniently hold your headphones where they will always be easily accessible. Reduce clutter on your desk without adding anything obtrusive. You can pick these up for $29.95 at newMacgadgets.com.

Giveaway

We have five Apple Store Headphone Stands to give away this week courtesy of newMacgadgets.com. To enter, leave a comment below letting us know where you would put one if you won. One entry per person please! Good luck!

Robust Market for Used iPhones Benefits Users, Carriers, and Apple

AllThingsD reports on new research from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) analyzing the impact of the secondary market for the iPhone, the portion of used iPhones that are resold or given away when users upgrade to the latest models. The survey looked at customers purchasing new iPhones beginning with the iPhone 4S launch last October, finding that 53% of those users had returned their old phones to the secondary market.

Of those old phones being put back onto the secondary market, the survey found that 49% were older iPhones, while 21% were BlackBerry smartphones and 15% were Android devices. Approximately two-thirds of those devices returned to the market were given away, with the remaining third having been sold.


Breakdown of old devices reentering secondary market following new iPhone purchases
According to the survey, 87% of those who sold or gave away their old iPhones expected the recipients to activate them for use, which CIRP estimates as representing 11% of carrier activations since last October. That number represents a boon for carriers, who do not have to pay subsidies to Apple on the used devices.

The research firm believes that, for every used iPhone that carriers activate, they save around $400. In the fourth quarter of 2011 alone, CIRP figures that secondary-market activations saved AT&T and Verizon between $400 million and $800 million in subsidy costs.

And while the strong market for used iPhones may seem like a detriment to Apple given that those users may be purchasing a used device offering no revenue for Apple rather than a new one, CIRP suggests that those low-priced used handsets are a common way to introduce new users to the iPhone ecosystem. That introduction then sets the users up for future purchases of new iPhones and other Apple products.

“It hurts Apple because it creates competition for new iPhones, which we see in the relatively modest sales of reduced-price iPhone 4 and free iPhone 3G units. But it also benefits the company because used iPhone customers aspire to own the newest and best iPhone, so they are likely future new phone customers. In fact, they are likely new entrants to the Apple ecosystem, who otherwise would not have found a way in.”

Beyond future hardware sales, the used iPhone market also increases the user base and market for apps and other iTunes Store content, with the device's able to serve more good than if they had been discarded or forgotten in a drawer.


Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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• iTunes Match Goes Live in the Netherlands
• Das Keyboard Releases Model S Professional for Mac

Here’s How Badly AT&T Throttling Impacts Top 5% Of Data Users

Two out of the three major iPhone carriers in the U.S. throttle data speeds of its top 5 percent unlimited data users. It started with AT&T terminating its unlimited data usage plan, but giving users who were still subscribed to … Continue reading →

Seth’s most used iPhone and iPad accessories of 2011

I generally keep things pretty simple and straightforward when it comes to my 2011 most-used accessories. I stick to things that enhance functionality more than form. I think Apple’s done a tremendous design job and I tend to lean more toward items that add an ability to do something or improve some part of my workflow (or enjoyment). Here are a few of my favorites.

Apple iPhone 4 Dock

A simple, basic accessory that looks great on any desk. Since going case-less, I’ve really enjoyed the simple presentation of the standard Apple dock, and since the body of the 4S kept the same style, I’m still using the same dock I bought months ago. There are docks that do more, but very few look as clean and nice as this one.

• $23.99 – Amazon link

MiniDock for iPhone

This cool little dock is more of a travel item for me, though I do find myself using it at home too. It’s a small USB plug that takes the place of your white cable and allows you to charge your iPhone standing up against a wall wherever you have an outlet. It has a nice, simple profile and is great to throw in a pocket or keep next to your bed and it works with your standard iPhone USB charger.

• $19.99 – ThinkGeek link

BOOKback for iPhone 4

As I said, I’ve lost interest in casing my phone and have grown strangely comfortable with having it naked. Mostly. The BOOKback is the only thing I’ll use on my iPhone. It adds a wonderful leather texture to the smooth back and adds almost no size or weight to the device. It’s just thick enough to keep you from possibly using it with some accessories (something like a Mophie pack may not fit) but the standard Apple dock eventually accepts it after the edges of the leather break in.

• $8.95 – Amazon link

Bamboo Stylus by Wacom

This is something I wouldn’t ordinarily find myself enjoying, because most of these kinds of things fall short for me. But the Bamboo is the first stylus I actually like. It’s not perfect (for me), and my search for the optimal pen experience on the iPad continues, but it’s a worthy addition to your bag for now if you like drawing or taking handwritten notes on your iPad. Works exceptionally well with a ton of apps, and feels great in the hand.

$29.99 – Amazon link

iCade Arcade Cabinet for iPad

Quite possibly the most fun you can have on a tabletop with your iPad. Birthed from an April Fools’ joke on ThinkGeek, the iCade sprang forth into existence, making many of my nerdy fantasies a reality. If you like classic video games, you must own this. It uses a Bluetooth connection to the device and is extremely well-constructed, making playing arcade games a joy. There’s an SDK for developers to add support for the device, and more seem to be adding it each day, so it looks like this thing will be a part of my gaming experience for a while to come.

• $99.99 – ThinkGeek link

Giveaway: A look inside iPhone and iPad case maker OtterBox

Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting the OtterBox headquarters in Fort Collins, CO and talk with Jordan about the history of the OtterBox name, the design and testing process, and get a closer look and description for each case series for the iPhone and iPad.

In addition to the interview, Jordan also passed on one of each case series to give away to our readers! Specifically, we have the following:

• Gunmetal Grey / Envy Green Defender Series
• Victory Commuter Series
• Gunmetal Reflex Series
• Black Impact Series

For a chance to win, just let us know which of these cases you would like to win in the comments below!

Daily Apps: Updraft Jack, SoundHound, PayBook, CheckIn+ HD, The Little Plane – First Journey

Updraft Jack: Get ready to run, jump and GLIDE through the jungle with Updraft Jack! You are a sugar glider fleeing from an owl in hot pursuit in this action-packed dash game.

• Free for iPhone – App Store link

SoundHound: Unlimited music recognition! Featuring the world’s fastest, most accurate music identification, exclusive singing search, and now: free unlimited LiveLyrics* for over 1 million of your iTunes tracks in SoundHound Player.

• Free for iPhone and iPad – App Store link

PayBook: Allows you to easily track your worked hours, & see how much you’ve earned. You can choose to add multiple workplaces, & even use preset shifts

• $0.99 for iPhone – App Store link

CheckIn+ HD: An all-in-one check-in app and local deal locator with augmented reality for iPad, supports Foursquare and Facebook Places. Discover the world around you and share your highlights at local bars, parks, venues, and more.

• Free for iPad – App Store link

The Little Plane – First Journey: Guide the little plane and avoid crashing into buildings. Also be wary of the mean birds – they are out to get you.

• Free for iPhone – App Store link

Any other big app or game releases or updates today?

Have an app you’d love to see featured on iMore? Email us at iosapps@imore.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

iPad 3 announcement rumored to be coming in a few weeks

Japanese news site macotakara claims Apple will hold an iPad 3 launch event in early February. The report cites sources in the U.S. as well as within the Asian supply chain, and note a release will likely take place in early March.

This falls in line with what iMore has heard about Apple is gearing up for a March 2012 release. Since the iPad 3 seems likely to get a Retina display, designers and developers will need to produce 2x graphics (if they haven’t started to already) and the more time they have, the better, especially for gaming companies.

Source: Macotakara

Weekly Mod: How to replace the Home button on an AT&T/GSM iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 is known to have issues when it comes to the home button — all that double-clicking for multitasking seems to have come at a price! This is probably the reason they redesigned the home button assembly in the iPhone 4S. If your GSM iPhone 4 home button has become unresponsive or loose, a DIY repair is something you can perform with the right tools and about 45 minutes of your time.

Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore nor PXLFIX can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It’s also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don’t feel comfortable opening your device, don’t. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

What you need for a DIY GSM iPhone 4 home button replacement

PXLFIX recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like eTech Parts. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• GSM iPhone 4 (please note there ARE internal differences between the GSM and CDMA models)
• New GSM iPhone 4 home button and flex cable (while you can replace one or the other, I suggest replacing both. Most of the time the culprit is the contact on the cable, not the actual button itself.)
• #00 Phillips screwdriver
• Pry tool or spudger (you may need a handheld razor blade as well)
• Security screwdriver (only if your iPhone has 5-point security screws in the dock connector)

Power off your iPhone 4

Before performing any repair, always power off your device before removing any screws or parts.

Remove the back

1. First remove the bottom 2 dock connector screws in your iPhone 4. Use either your #00 screwdriver or the five point depending on whether or not your iPhone 4 has security screws in the dock connector. Almost all newer devices will have security screws.

2. To remove the back simply slide the back upwards and lift it off gently.
3. Set the back and 2 dock connector screws aside.

Remove your SIM card

Use a SIM removal tool or a paperclip to remove your SIM card and tray. Set them aside.

Remove the battery

1. To remove the battery you’ll need to remove the #00 screw holding the battery clip in place. Remove this screw located to the bottom left of the battery.

2. The metal clip on the battery is what clips the battery to the logic board. You’ll need to pop this clip up with your plastic pry tool. Simply stick the end of your pry tool underneath the clip and gently pull upwards until it unfastens from the logic board.

3. To remove the battery, I do not recommend using the plastic pull tab. There is quite a bit of adhesive underneath the battery and the tab will normally just rip off or you can bend the battery. Instead, run your pry tool along the right side of the battery and break the adhesive that way. Once the battery is free from the adhesive, you can pull the battery out of the phone. There are no other connectors holding it in.

4. You will notice a tiny grounding clip sitting underneath where you unscrewed the battery. Set this aside for replacement during reassembly. This is a grounding clip for your antenna. Make sure you put it back in place before reconnecting your battery.

Remove the dock connector shield and disconnect the cable

1. There is a shield held on with two screws covering the dock connector cable. Remove the two screws holding it in place and set the shield and screws aside, remembering where they came from.

2. Next, use your pry tool to pry up the actual dock connector cable. Be careful as there is adhesive holding the cable in place as well. Peel back the adhesive gently to free the cable.

Remove the top logic board shield

1. There are 5 screws holding the logic board shield in place. Remove the 5 screws holding it in place. Just be sure to remember which holes they came out of as the screws are different sizes. I always keep them in order of how they came out.

2. Next you’ll need to remove the shield. There is a tiny clip built into the shield holding it in place. (Refer to the photo above.) Pop it up with your pry tool and you should be able to slide the shield up fairly easily. Just take care not to bend it or break off a clip.

Disconnect the 6 cables from the top of the logic board

1. There is only one connector holding the camera to the logic board. Remove this cable in the picture above using your pry tool. Gently lift upwards and it will pop right off.

2. Next gently lift the camera out of the device. You’ll notice there is a tiny tab that is seated underneath the LCD and digitizer cables to the right.

3. Next pop up the LCD and digitizer cables to the right of where the camera cable was connected. You pop them up in the same direction.

4. The 3 cables further to the right will need to be disconnected as well. They pop up in the opposite direction.

Remove the logic board

1. Start with the 2 screws holding the logic board down in the middle and at the bottom left. Both use your #00 Phillips screwdriver. They are the same size. The one on the right of the logic board in the middle of the device has a water sensor over it you’ll need to remove.
2. The second screw is located where the logic board meets the speaker assembly towards the bottom left of the device.

3. The third and final screw holding the logic board in is located at the top of the logic board off to the right. It is the only cross-head screw in your device. Use a small flathead screwdriver to carefully remove it.

4. You should now be able to remove your logic board. Holding it at the bottom, gently pull it upwards. I use my other hand to lift up at the top where the rear facing camera used to be.
5. Take note that there is a small rubber piece that sits at the top of the logic board. You will need this for re-assembly so make sure it doesn’t fall off. If you lose this, you could see reception issues.

Remove the speaker assembly

1. To remove the speaker assembly you have one more #00 screw to remove. It sits to the right of the speaker assembly in the bottom right hand corner of your device. Remove it.
2. The second screw holding the speaker assembly into your iPhone you’ve already removed when you removed the logic board.
3. Gently lift the speaker assembly out of your device and set it aside.

Remove the vibrator assembly

1. Locate your vibrator assembly in the upper right hand corner of your iPhone 4 (assuming you’re looking at it from the back).

2. It is held in with two screws. Use your #00 Phillips screwdriver and remove them. The screw on the left will be significantly longer. Just remember which screw came from where.

3. Next, gently lift the vibrator assembly out of the device.

Remove the 4 screws in each corner

There are 10 total screws that attach your iPhone 4 LCD/Digitizer assembly to your frame. The 4 in the corners will need to be completely removed. They are all #00 screws.

Loosen the remaining 6 screws

These screws run along the sides of your iPhone and also have washers on them. I find it best to just loosen them opposed to removing them completely. The washers are not fun to put back in. Loosening them will allow you to remove the LCD/Digitizer assembly just as easily. About 2 1/2 to 3 turns for each screw should loosen them up enough to continue. If you feel the washer wobbling back and forth a bit, you’ve loosened it enough.

Remove the LCD/Digitizer assembly from your iPhone

This is where it can get a bit tricky. Your screen is held in not only with the 10 screws mentioned above but also with strong adhesive. You will need to break this adhesive in order to remove the front panel.

1. Hold your iPhone in one hand with the screen facing you. Starting in the top left hand corner, run a pry tool or razor blade in between the frame and front panel. You’ll need to pry up quite a bit in order to break the adhesive. Be careful around the front facing camera and speaker area.

2. Next move your pry tool or razor blade to the bottom of your device and do the same thing, working your way around until the adhesive is broken and the front panel starts to come off.

3. To completely remove the front panel – start at the top of your iPhone and gently pull the assembly away from the frame. Be careful to allow the LCD and digitizer cables to slip through the opening in the frame without getting caught up.

Remove the old home button and cable

1. Flip the phone back over and look by your dock connector. There is a tiny bracket that holds the home button flex cable in place. You’ll need to flip up the clip on the bracket. Be very gentle as it can break easily.
2. Next, carefully back out the cable from the bracket.
3. You can now remove the home button flex cable by pushing it through the opening in the front of the frame. The home button and the flex cable will come off in one piece.
4. If you are only replacing the cable, peel the actual home button off the old cable and apply it to the new one.

Put in the new home button and cable

1. Starting from the front of the frame you’ll need to stick the flex cable through the opening just as you had taken the other one out.
2. Next you’ll need to gently wiggle the cable connector back into the bracket and clip it back down. The bracket is very small and it may take a few tries to get the cable seated all the way in.
3. Clip the cable back down.
4. Turn your iPhone back over and make sure your home button is aligned and straight. Push it down once or twice to make sure you are getting better feedback than before. You should hear a click and it should feel springy if it is installed correctly.

Reassembly

In order to re-assemble your device, follow these instruction in the exact opposite order or watch the reassembly video below.

Tip: When reassembling your front panel, make sure the LCD and digitizer cables come through and they are both the same height. They tend to crimp up occasionally and you’ll have issues snapping them down to the logic board if they aren’t even.

And… done!

You should now have a home button that’s a lot more responsive and be ready to go!

Have you done this repair yourself? Let us know how it went! Want to know how to perform another type of iPhone repair or modification? Send me suggestions to ally.kazmucha@imore.com or leave a comment in our brand new Mod and DIY Repair Forum!

For questions or to inquire about mail-in repairs through PXLFIX, please follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or e-mail us directly! Of course, you can like us and follow us just because you think we’re cool too!

What do you want to see in an Apple iTV television set?

Apple television — iTV if you’re trendy — rumors just won’t quit, but rather than bloggers and analysts, we’re curious what you, the super smart members of the iMore Nation think Apple might have in store for your big living room screens?

Will there be one-size-fits-all, like iPhone and iPad, or a couple sizes like iMacs? What size or sizes would you prefer? 32- and 37-inches? 55-inches? 72-inches? Will they be 16:10 or 16:9?

Are we going to see something sleek and sexy, a glass and aluminum unibody, like Apple’s existing product line or will we finely see some fancy carbon fiber or even liquid metal to cut down on the weight and take us into the future? Will there be input ports so you can hook up your existing cable or satellite box, your game console, or your receiver to the iTV? Will Apple want or even let all they cables muddy the appearance of their beautiful screen?

It almost has to run iOS like the existing Apple TV set top box, but will it run the same iOS as the existing Apple TV? Steve Jobs said he cracked the 10″ user interface, but does that mean a Springboard-style grid of apps like iPhone and iPad or will Siri be the primary way we launch apps and search for shows? (“Play me something with ninja assassins!”)

How will you control it? The current Apple Remote device and app are both… okay but neither are ideal. A Siri mic? Xbox Kinect style gestures? Will Apple keep it simple or will they really try to wow us again?

Will Apple be able to get content deals in place for network television stations? For major league sports? For pay-per-view movies? For specialty channels? And how will they present them? An ever growing list below “Shows” like on Apple TV or will each “channel” be an app like on iPhone and iPad? Will it have other apps like Safari or Twitter or Calendar so iTV is actually productive as well as fun? Or will it all be AirPlay from your iOS devices?

Would we even see it this year? Is 2012 the right time for an iTV or should Apple wait until 2013 to ramp up their television plans? And what happens to the existing Apple TV? Is it kept around for those who don’t want an Apple television but still want the content, or does Apple ditch it to force us to buy the more expensive television?

Apple hasn’t even announced the desire to announce a television set yet, and maybe they never will, but with so much speculation going on, we want to know what you want to have. What kind of iTV would like Apple to make you?

Rumor: Apple to Unveil iPad 3 in Early February

Today seems to be the day of iPad 3 rumors. Japanese blog Macotakara reports that Apple is planning to hold a special media event in early February to unveil their third generation iPad, which will be available to customers in early March. … Continue reading →

WritePad 6.0 for iPad bring Multilingual handwriting recognition support

WritePad for iPad by PhatWare has been upgraded to 6.0 and is now equipped with a new Multilingual handwriting recognition engine that supports English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.

WritePad lets you take notes in your own handwriting with an iPad stylus pen or even your finger. The state-of-the-art handwriting recognition software will adapt and learn your style of writing. You can use simple gestures to select text, cut, copy, paste, and insert special characters.

• Create and edit text documents using the advanced handwriting recognition engine or iPad keyboard for text entry in landscape or portrait mode.
• Improve productivity by utilizing inline gestures, spell checker, context analyzer, and shorthand features.
• Statistical analyzer, which improves overall handwriting recognition quality by addressing common recognition errors. If this feature is enabled, WritePad will learn the user’s own handwriting style.
• Email, Tweet, Print, or post Facebook updates directly from WritePad.
• Synchronize WritePad documents with Dropbox, Evernote, and iTunes or upload documents to Google Docs.
• Translate documents to 13 supported languages using Bing Translator.
• Change WritePad’s appearance by manipulating text, page, and ink colors using the customizable Styles feature.

WritePad for iPad is available for $9.99.

• App Store link

Have an app you’d love to see featured on iMore? Email us at iosapps@imore.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

iPad 3 Media Event Planned for Early February?

Apple's education-focused media event isn't until Thursday, but Japanese blog Macotakara reports that Apple is already making plans for an early February event to introduce the iPad 3 ahead of an early March launch. The event is said to potentially also feature iOS 5.1, which is currently in developer testing.

According to asian supplier and a source in United States, Apple seems to prepare to hold Special Event in early February.

Because Chinese factory will be in holiday of New Year, then new product is concidered to be released in early March.

An approximately one-month gap between introduction and availability would be significantly longer than for the iPad 2, which was introduced on March 2, 2011 with availability coming just nine days later on March 11.

The original iPad didn't launch until more than two months after its January 2010 debut, although Apple tends toward longer gaps between introduction and launch for new product categories in order to accommodate the regulatory approval process without risking leaks of product details.

Macotakara has had a mixed track record in the past, but the site's most recent report regarding the start of iPad 3 production ahead of an early March debut was corroborated by Bloomberg just a few days later.


Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• A Look at AT&T's Throttling for High-Use Unlimited iPhone Data Customers
• Apple Files New German Lawsuit Targeting Ten Samsung Smartphones
• iTunes Match Goes Live in the Netherlands
• Das Keyboard Releases Model S Professional for Mac
• ITC Rules Against Apple in Motorola Patent Case

Woz thinks Android is more functional than iOS

Woz, a known Android fan, thinks the Android OS is more functional than iOS in many ways. Even though an iPhone is his primary device he still wishes his iPhone would perform some of the tasks his Android devices do.

“if you’re willing to do the work to understand it a little bit, well I hate to say it, but there’s more available in some ways…

I agree with his statement even though I’m strictly an iOS user. I still manage to find a reason to jailbreak when Apple decides to omit the features that I want. Not only is feature set an on-going issue for Apple but the fact that iOS is exclusive to Apple. Android being open source to the end user is arguable as well. It’s open to the manufacturers and carriers, not the user. Android is still available for licensing to all manufacturers while Apple is the only company with rights to distribute iOS.

Woz also said he thinks Apple’s approval process for apps slows developers down compared to Android’s model. He was a long time user of Siri until Apple purchased it. He claims it doesn’t work as well as it did when it was an independent application.

Do you think Apple’s strict curation of the App Store and need for control is what pushes users towards Android?

Source: The Daily Beast

Scott Forstall next in line as Apple CEO?

A new book, Inside Apple, suggests that the current Senior VP of iOS software Scott Forstall is likely to follow Tim Cook as Apple’s CEO. Described previously as a “mini-Steve“,  Forstall apparently shares the late Apple co-founder’s attention to detail, exacting standards, and ambition.

Shortly before Jobs’ passing, COO Tim Cook has been holding the reins of the company, but over the long term, it’s easy to imagine Apple needing someone with a bit more stage presence. Of course, Cook will need a pretty good reason to step down from his spot as CEO to make way for Forstall; if Cook is even half as passionate about Apple as Jobs was, and it took cancer to remove Steve out of the company, Forstall may have a long wait ahead of him.

What do you guys think – is Forstall a good pick for the next Apple CEO? Maybe you’d prefer Jony Ive? That would depend on him still living in Cupertino…

Source: Fortune

Report Provides More Evidence That Apple Will Offer iPad 2 Along With iPad 3

It is widely speculated that when Apple launches iPad 3, it will continue to offer iPad 2 as the entry level iPad. A report by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes provides some more evidence to that theory.  DigiTimes claims that according to their … Continue reading →

iPad accounts for 91% of communication in business of those surveyed

A survey issued Monday by IDG Connect shows that 91% of business and IT users use their iPad more for business communication than personal needs. They also found that over 25% of employers deployed iPads to their employees.

Other numbers included in the survey -

• 97% of professionals use the iPad for reading
• 70% + now buy fewer physical books and newspapers
• 72% of iPad owners carry their laptop less
• 66% say the iPad has partially or completely replaced their laptop

iPads are not only a cheaper option than laptop computers for employers but they’re also much more portable. If an iPad suits an employee’s business needs it may be a better option financially than a laptop. 83% of the employers surveyed also said they would not consider another kind of tablet after using the iPad.

Source: The Loop

New BBC iPlayer stats chart the rise of ‘connected’ TV viewing

Thanks to widespread adoption and excellent cross-platform availability, the BBC's ubiquitous iPlayer is the perfect gauge of online viewing habits. New usage figures for December throw up little in the way of surprises, but still make impressive reading. The good old computer remains tops-of-the-client-pops for Brits, but smart TVs are taking a bigger slice of the (187 million) total requests, 7 million in fact -- a 1,000% year-on-year increase. More mobile telly-addicts saw smartphone and tablet views rise to thirteen million and ten million respectively, a growth of 163 and 596 percent. With 2012 offering ever more top gear and phones to chose from, we're expecting this trend to continue for some time yet. Square-eye stat-fans can hit up the source for the full breakdown. Hint: lots of Eastenders.

New BBC iPlayer stats chart the rise of 'connected' TV viewing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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