Tim Cook's New Apple Confirmed to Blog That It's Charitable Program Is Real - Glasnost In Cupertino?

Interesting post about today's move by Apple to match charitable donations given by employees.  We already talked about that today.

What's interest as 9to5Mac pointed out is that Apple's PR confirmed the legitimacy of the information to a blog site.  

If this is Tim Cook's new Apple, I like it.  Stil, Tim, don't make it too easy for us either.

We Know Apple Will Sell Lotsa iPhone 5; Stop Quoting DigiTimes

DigiTimes is a tech tabloid in Asia that many bloggers love to link to because they get clicks.  But here's where we're somewhat different  We never source directly from DT.  Nor will we link to other blogs unless what they get from DT makes a whole lot of sense ot ourselves

There's a post going around about just how much iPhone 5s is making for Apple.  We already know that they're ramping up as quickly as they can.  And despite that, we are going to run into shortages upon launch.

My guess is that Foxconn and whoever else Apple might have contracted to make the new iPhones have been doing just this for quite a while now.  And Apple, with Tim Cook as CEO, will probably be pretty bold in make sure that there is ample supply of iPhones since they are selling them so late in the year.  

I'm not going to link to any of those blogs with specific number of iPhones that are being produced every day.  They never jive with Apple's on sell-through number anyway.  

My own take is this.  Apple will have about 4-5 million upon launch and with about 1.5 million shipping out every week after that to reach about 2 million.  Apple might eventually reach 3 million a week by December if it wants to sell about 25 million iPhones in the Holiday quarter.  

That seems like like a lot but I getting the feeling that Apple will be pushing up China's launch earlier than previous years.  Whether Apple seems all those iPhones here in the US or not, they will be saving up a lot of them for Asia.  

iPod touch with 3G Coming!

We always knew this was going to happen but it looks like Apple thinks now is the right time for this.  An iPod touch 3G is probably going to make its way into our hands.  At least, that's the indication from another source.

Apple 'N' Apps is reporting that not only will Apple refresh the iPod touch this fall along side the new iPhone, Apple will be updating the touch with a 3G modem inside.  I figure this would work just like what we now see with the iPad.  3G data only plan without having to sign away our next two-years of mobile need to a carrier.  It'll be a month-to-month deal if you want 3G wireless Internet with the new touch.

The big reason for this is because of iCloud and Apple figure by releasing a touch with 3G, iCloud will play an even bigger role than ever.  Most folks who have bought iPod touches in the past, like myself, have tried to avoid the high rates that Verizon and AT&T charges.  It remains to be seen just who Apple will be targeting.

As with anything Apple, they probably discovered a specific need for a 3G enabled iPod touch that we mobile warriors did not previously know we needed.

What's interesting is that ANA called it "mini-Pad".  I hardly called a 3.5" touch a mini anything compared to the iPad.  I know, I know.  I'm going to go there anyway.  Could be also be looking at a fuller sized iPod touch with a bigger screen, say, 5-6" inches equipped with 

3G wireless capability?  

I've been chatting this up for the last couple of months.  And I have some supporting evidence in this regard based on what Apple has shown us. Furthermore, the iPod touch may also come in white.

So, would an iPod touch with 3G be just what you need instead of a pricy iPhone voice and data plan?

Source: Apple 'N' Apps (from Appleinsider).

Social: Another Point for Competition as Facebook Revamps Some Sharing Settings; Still Out To Destroy Privacy However

Facebook gave iPhone users a major update to the app with better sharing settings.  And this would not have happened had it not been for Google+.  G+, while usage growth was not what it was in the first month, continues to grow and I predict it could have some effects on Facebook's iPO plans in 2012.

Right now, Facebook is facing some growing pains as it recently did away with its location-based function and deal services.  

What the iPhone app is doing is catching up to G+ and allowing users to have access to what we've always wanted.  

However, there is still their practice of using our information to augment their revenue.  I'm hoping that Google+ will continue to grow and really hit Facebook where it hurts.  In the end, it isn't about killing Facebook but killing off its privacy violating practices.

Source:  Macworld.

Mobile: Nvidia Expects To Rule the Mobile Chip Market

Meet Jen-Hsun Huang, CEO of graphics company Nvidia, and he has some strong believes and a whole lot of confidence regarding its future in the mobile realm.

First he believes Android tablets will own about 50% of the market while its chip revenue will grow to $20 billion, a ten times jump from today.

On top of that, Huang also jabbed rival Intel a bit in this CNet post. He doesn't seem to think Intel is a threat at all with the power hungry Atom chip.

Huang does have a lot to be proud of given how Nvidia has transformed from a graphics card provider to a supplier of mobile chips used in many high-end Android devices and most of the Android tablets. Only Apple has more chips because of the volume of iPads sold to date.

However, his past boastful predictions have not always panned out. Personally, I am not sure I want to be poking a stick at Intel the way he's doing it now.

Remember how AMD had the lead in the multiple-core lead? Well, we know where things are now.

Still, I like his spirit. Having someone with the will to mix things up a bit is good. Competition is good for all of us.




- Posted Via Mobile

Mobile: T-mobile All Hands Day Set for September 24th

It looks like something is up at T-Mobile.  According to sources, T-Mobile has called an all-day day for Saturday, September 24th.  Little details on this at this time but speculations will be rampant. 

It could be about new Android devices or new plans that T-Mobile wants to ready for the Holidays.  Or, I repeat, or, it could be about the iPhone?

Let's suppose that is the case here.  What it means is that if T-Mobile wants to chat about the iPhone with its employees, that would mean Apple will be making the announcement that week of, starting September 19th.  Apple typically make announcements on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning around 10 am PST.  

Obviously, my speculations are just as valid/invalid as anyone else's at this time.  Things are tough there at T-Mobile and I hope this is the kind of good news that can right the ship over there.  iPhone announcement or not.

Source:  TmoNews.

Apple Going With Thinner Battery in Future iPads But How about Battery Life?

We're huge fans of long battery life.  All of us mobile folks.  That's one thing that we can never get enough of.  It just feels like every other of my posts are about battery life.  Well, it looks like Apple is going to go with thinner and lighter battery for the next iPads.  However, I have to ask this:  what about the battery life?

Acorrding to Boy Genius Report via Macrumors, the new batteries will be thinner and lighter but also cost more.  However, the trade-off, these batteries are supposed to be more durable and reliable (Appleinsider).

Currently, Macbook batteries can last about 1,000 charges before going down to 80% capacity.  While I think that's pretty good, I had always assumed the iOS batteries are equally as good.  And perhaps this new battery is more capable of handling the wear and tear of daily mobile uses.  

I had hoped that we would hear from Apple that the systems will become more efficient and allow an additional 10-20% battery operation when the iPad 2 came out.  Perhaps, this is why we need there to be stronger tablet competition in the market.  While Apple has been known to compete against itself, anything its competitors can do to come close to the iPad 2 performance is a good thing.