Archive for February 21st, 2012
Suppliers gearing up for Apple's launch of new MacBook Air models
MacBook Air lineup was last updated in July of 2011, when Apple added high-speed Thunderbolt ports and backlit keyboards to both the 11.6- and 13.3-inch models, and now sources from Apple's supply chain are waiting for the refreshed notebooks.
The anticipated MacBook Air update was mentioned on Tuesday by DigiTimes, which said that assembler Quanta Computer is expected to see its revenues grow thanks to the new product launch. It was said that Apple is "set to launch a new MacBook Air model," but a specific timeline for its release was not given.
iPad 3 Front Glass Reveals No Significant Changes
Various iPad 3 parts have leaked in recent weeks, but the front panel of the alleged device has remained unseen until now. Apple.pro points to a posting on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo showing what is claimed to be the front glass and digitizer assembly from the iPad 3.
The part appears nearly identical to that of the iPad 2, with the major distinguishing feature being a relatively long ribbon cable extending up the side of the display as opposed to a shorter cable with a sideways orientation seen in the iPad 2. Other features of the iPad 3 display include the same round home button seen in all iOS devices so far and a hole in the top bezel to accommodate both the front-facing camera and the ambient light sensor.
Microsoft Office For iPad Soon Will Hit The App Store
Confirming earlier reports, tablet-only magazine The Daily
Apple opening up supplier factories to third-party environmental inspections
Many independent environmental groups seek to verify Apple’s own findings related to working conditions on its supplier factories and they finally got Apple's permission. The company will open up its supplier factories to third-party environmental inspections in order to cooperate on audits.
Ma Jun, founder of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, said in an interview that Apple had agreed late last month to open up its facilities to address reports from IPE and other groups outing suspected Apple suppliers as polluters. The audits could start as early as next month and may eventually expand to other suppliers.
iPad 3 will probably have A5X processor
WeiPhone site has leaked a photo of an iPad 3 logic board with A5X CPU chip. Previously it was expected that new tablet will feature A6 chip, reports MacRumors.
A date code of "1146" on the A5X indicates that it was manufactured in the 46th week of 2011, which would have corresponded to November 14-20. An "A5X" as a step-wise upgrade to the A5 corresponds with progression of processor part numbers as revealed by BGR in February. At the time the A4 was known to be the S5L8930X, the A5 as the S5L8940X and the new iPad processor as S5L8945X.
iPhone 5 Due for Release in September-October Timeframe
Citing a “reliable source”, Japanese blog Macotakara reports that Apple is expected to launch its next-generation iPhone in September or October of this year, about a year after the debut of the iPhone 4S that was released in October of 2011.
According to Asian reliable source, next iPhone will be released in September or October, and this cycle seems to be kept for years.
MacRumors also heard from a representative of a supplier known to provide parts for the iPhone that Apple's ordering plans are pointing toward a launch of new hardware in the September.
Photos of future iPad 3 compared to iPad 2
M.I.C. Gadget has posted some high quality photos comparing the iPad 2's back enclosure to the expected iPad 3's back enclosure.
Highlights:
- iPad 3 bezel will be slightly narrower than the iPad 2′s bezel.
- iPad 3 camera lens is noticeably larger than its predecessor.
- The unit is about 1-1.5mm thicker.
- The iPad 3 edges are tapered.
Take a look at the photos below:
Apple Updated Its Environmental Site With New Stats For 2011
Apple