Sounds Fishy: $330 4.5" iPhone in 2014? Sounds Like A Plant

Source:  Appleinsider.

There's an iPHone rumor going around today that I want to address.  Before, I get into it, again, I don't like traffic in rumors but I think it's okay to discuss in the context of what it truly means to me.

The rumor is that there will be an iPhone that will cost $330 that has a polycarbonate body.  If true, this is what I think the specs will be like.  It's likely a unibody with a 3.5" Retina Display like the current iPhone 4/4S.  It could have a body very similar to the iPhone 3G/3GS but less angular along the side.  The camera could be well be only 5MP because Apple like won't give anything more than that because if you want 8MP or more, you'll have to shell out money for the iPhone 5 or better.

When An Apple Product Goes Out of Stock, It Makes A Lot of Sound Even If No One Is Around

Source:  Appleinsider.

Every time something that Apple sells goes out of stock or low in inventory, it’s news.  The reason is because it’s cause for belief that something new is around the corner.  This time, it’s Apple’s Thunderbolt display.

It may well be just an update to the display is coming so it’s nothing to get excited about.  After all, it is just a display.  A FCC finding earlier revealed that a minor update to the Apple TV which was largely met with a “meh”.

You never want to discount anything though.  Yesterday, I talked about the lack of news about the next OS X version as well as anything new on iOS and iPad.

Still, keep your fingers crossed until we know more.

2013 Expectations: Where Is The New OS X beta and iPad Media Event?

It’s the second to the last day of February of 2013 already.  Fast does not even begin to describe how fast the year has gone by so fast thus far.  I have a couple of questions that don’t exactly fit into the 140 characters of the Twitter limit.

Where is the beta release for the next OS X?  Last year, a few lucky folks, Apple friendlies and journalists, were granted the privilege of playing around with the beta of Mountain Lion before everyone else.

Also, will Apple be holding its annual iPad media unveiling this year?  My guess is that this isn’t going to happen this time around.  Apple updated the iPad to a 4th generation in October of 2012 and just released its 128 GB version.

Right now, I’m leaning towards no new iOS information from Apple until the second half of 2013 – that includes Apple TV or whatever else that is mobile releasted.

If Apple does unveil anything new, it could be a new Mac Pro and updated Macbook Air with Retina Displays.

HP Moving Focus To Tablets – Others Will Follow Giving the PC Market to Apple

It’s interesting that HP is finally getting into the tablet market.  It’s latest tablet entry into the market is an uninspiring Android tablet for a decent $170.  I think they finally figured how what they need to do and it could come from Tim Cook himself.  If the tablet market is going to cannibalize the PC market, you best do it yourself or someone else will do it for you.

Having said that, as more and more users move from Windows-based PC to likely iOS and Android tablets, who will have the remaining PC market?  It’s likely all the main PC guys will have some kind of laptops running Windows but most who truly need a PC may opt for a Mac.  Should that momentum carry, don’t be surprised if Apple ends up owning the PC market in a few years.

Don’t think so?  Consider that in five years, the tablet will be vastly different.  In fact, they may look more like Microsoft’s Surface Pro – a tablet will more robust features that one used to only be able to find on a laptop.  Not all but enough that people will buy tablets instead – for office work or gaming.

That leaves the more specialized markets to the PCs.  Probably higher end PCs where Apple is sitting.

Mobile: Built-In Batteries Equal More Money For Device Makers

When Apple first made its iPods and then iPhones and iPads not user-friendly in terms of allowing us to change out the batteries, it was for look and feel of the designs.  Some what annoying but I understand why.  Also, not that many people like carry around an extra battery in their pockets.

But now, more and more of Apple’s competitors are doing the same thing except maybe for Samsung.  But why?  The same reason as Apple – design?

Maybe.

However, I have another theory:  battery cases.  They go from around $99 and up.  Meanwhile, you can buy a battery for the Galaxy S 3 for $40 from the carries or as low as $11 on Amazon.  Heck, the GS3, which has an user-replaceable battery, has a battery case as well for $99.

The last time I went out with a bunch of friends, there were plenty of iPhones about.  Half of us had battery cases.  Even if just 25% of the iPhone users also use a battery case, that's a lot of licensing money for Apple.

So, if these top device makers like Google, LG, or Sony license their names and allow for the production of battery cases and charge for more for it, it would provide an additional revenue stream.

Right now, what’s one feature of mobile devices that everyone universally complain about?  Battery life.

With Every High End Android At 1080p, Apple Cannot Afford Not To Outdo Competitors

Source:  On Apple.

Others and myself have laid out how Apple can deal with the increase in screen sizes and resolutions it has faced from competitors.  The iPhone 5 is definitely the top selling mobile computing device in the world but it's still looked up on as a phone.  Devices from Samsung, Sony, and LG with their 5+ inch 1080p screens, initially laughed at by pundits and doubters have picked up in sales and momentum largely because mobile warriors now use their smartphones as actually mobile computing devices rather than a phone as its primary function.

Having some time to think about it, I can't think of a scenario and justification from Apple or its defenders for it not to release a 5" iPhone or whatever you wanna call it and not retain a Retina Display capability of at least 326 dpi or just a bit less (because you can  hold the a 5" screen further).  Many have argued that Apple can keep the resolution of a possible 5" iPhone the same as the iPhone 5 resolution, 1136x640, and still have the same 264 DPI as the iPad.

If Apple does go this route, it will be a test of its brand power in the face of a powerful mobile momentum where its top competitors will have better technology than Apple.

Otherwise, Apple better make up for that with some pretty awesome features and improvements to iOS. Siri with a deeper sexier voice?

Abandoning Android: Samsung Folding Bada Into Tizen (Which Has Intel’s Support) - Opening for Apple?

So Samsung is phasing out Bada and folding it into Tizen.

Kinda saw this coming.  Who didn’t?  Bada hasn’t been lighting the mobile world on fire and Tizen seems more promising given Intel’s into it as well.  2014 Is going to be a big year for Samsung as we’ll see more how it’ll go about switching from Android to its own OS.  I’m sure Samsung will always making Android devices to some extent. If Samsung is fully committed, this will be a multi-year transition.

But Samsung has to publicly make a declaration.  Otherwise, Samsung fans won’t bite and they’ll stick with Google as the safer choice.

Meanwhile, Google already has shown that it will make a move into the hardware business.  This is now an opportunity for it to take the high-end device mantle from the Galaxy brand.

This is an opportunity for Apple. iOS has had issues with perception of late.  For some reason, Apple’s devices are being perceived by the market as boring or even dated.  There is calls for Apple to drastically change iOS 7.  However, given what could be happening in the Android camp and potentially uncertainty, Apple can gain from the stability it provides in the market.

The iPhone will be faced with plenty of competition in 2013.  Make no mistake that every mobile player is still bring their A-game.  If some how Samsung goofs up its transition from Android to Tizen or that Google looks like it might be hoarding Android, Apple can address some issues regarding iOS and other mobile questions, and gain back some momentum with new schemes to get more iOS devices into user hands or come put with their own phablets, Apple can begin to quiet its critics.

As in really go in for the kill.