News from category ‘rumors’

OregonLive.com claims that Apple is currently deciding whether to build a new data center in Prineville, Oregon. The city is said to be a big attraction for tech companies because of tax breaks. Depending on the size of the facility, Apple could reportedly receive a tax exemption of several million dollars.

This data center is aimed at complementing Apple’s another data center in Maiden, North Carolina. Apple is currently considering an option to purchase 160 acres of land for the potential Prineville data center near a recently-opened Facebook data center.  Apple should make a final decision until the end of this month.

The world's largest tech company is nearing a decision on whether to build a large data center in Prineville, a quarter mile south of the Facebook server farm that opened earlier this year, according to two people with direct knowledge of Apple's plans… Those familiar with the discussions say that Apple's Oregon plans have been in flux while it awaited word on whether there would be adequate electricity transmission in Prineville to meet its needs.

Apple’s project has a codename "Maverick" and will include a 31-megawatt data center, comparing with North Carolina data center’s electricity demand that is estimated in the range of 100 megawatts.

Apple has been working hard to expand its data center capacity to handle iCloud and other services. Earlier this year Apple opened a massive data center in Maiden, N.C. Apple also maintains a smaller data center in Newark, California and has been building out minor additional capacity in Santa Clara, California near its corporate headquarters in Cupertino. In October, the company revealed its plans to build a new solar farm opposite the data center in Maiden.

Nikkei Business reports that Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo has reached a basic agreement with Apple on releasing an LTE-capable (able to connect to long-term evolution 4G high-speed data networks) iPad in the summer of 2012 with an LTE iPhone to follow in the fall.

Earlier this month it was reported that executives with the wireless carrier were said to have visited the U.S. in mid-November to talk with Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, but DoCoMo was hesitant to agree to Apple's demands on unit volume and its refusal to allow the carrier to add its own applications to the device.

Nevertheless, NTT DoCoMo has denied the report in a press release, stating there is "no basic agreement" in place with Apple.

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Though Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster does not have specific knowledge of Apple's ultimate plans for its television set, he has expressed his ideas about what Apple will do with its rumored product that may be launched in the second half of next year. Among Munster's predictions:

- Full-fledged television set. Apple’s television set will be an all-in-one solution, but most users won’t be able to use cable or satellite channels, because Apple does not offer a full suite of television content offerings. Instead, the Apple’s TV will serve as a user interface that still uses the standard signal from a cable box.

- Range of sizes and twice current pricing. Apple’s television set will be introduced in a range of sizes. Munster suggest that Apple’ TV will have price that will be approximately twice higher than the prevailing market price of similarly-sized televisions.

- Simplicity and Apple's ecosystem. Apple television will integrate with iOS devices and Apple's content ecosystem for video, games, and apps. The TV will have a traditional remote control, but also iPad and iPhone apps for controlling the set's features, as well as Siri voice control to simplify interaction with television sets.

Fortune has analyzed two reports and suggests now that Apple may be experiencing some supply constrains on the iPhone 4S throughout this holiday quarter. The company, no doubt, works hard to stock-pile necessary number of the iPhone 4S that will allow Apple to meet customer demand for its newest smartphone, as well as shipping estimates of iPhone carrier partners during this quarter, but Apple may be having some trouble meeting its own production goals for the device that will result in supply constrains.

The first report, from Rodman and Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar, alerted the company’s clients about the iPhone 4S production constrains, citing that shortages of an unidentified "key component" for the iPhone 4S that is holding back production. Kumar says that Apple has four million iPhone 4S not sold in the prior quarter. Taking into account there numbers, he suggests that Apple may sell 30 million iPhones during this quarter, though the company won’t be able to completely satisfy consumer demand.

The second note comes from Susquehanna Financial's Jeff Fidacaro. He also says that the main problem for Apple in this quarter is "supply constraints". As a result, we see reduction in quarterly iPhone sales of about three million units, moving from 26-28 million units to 23-25 million units.

We have already found two new iPads and the next-generation Apple TV codenames tonight. Now we are are ready to something big. Here is, perhaps, the most important find of all: iPhone 5,1. That's right, the next version of the iPhone is has been found in iOS 5.1 internals.

This codename also tells us that iPhone 5 would be a major update. New 4,x model would represent minor changes. For example, the iPhone 3G went from the original iPhone 1,1 to 1,2 because there were no internal speed and performance enhancements, just 3G and a GPS.

The jump from 4,1 to 5,1 represents major changes, both internal and external. This means the iPhone 5/6 will have a brand-new processor, probably A6. Rumored additions for externals are a 4 inch display and a new aluminum casing. Since Apple just released the iPhone 4S in October 2011, we should not expect iPhone 5 anytime soon. New iPhone will come next October or maybe in the summer. With the 5,1 reference appearing this early, we like to think the latter.

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More news on new devices found in iOS 5.1 beta. This time it's Apple TV 3rd generation.

Usually every product has a codename identifier. For example iPhone3,1 is iPhone 4 and AppleTV2,1 is Apple TV 2G. We have seen AppleTV3,1 codename in iOS 5 a while ago. 9to5mac reports that as a product in development moves closer to the release, it is assigned another codename. For example N94 (iPhone 4S) or K48 (original iPad). The 3rd generation Apple TV has reached that stage. New name J33 was found in iOS 5.1, that corresponds to new Apple TV 3,1.

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In the just released iOS 5.1 beta, developers have found references to two new iPad devices. They have codenames iPad 2,4 and iPad 3,3.

Just to remind you, iPad 2 has 3 different codenames - iPad 2 Wifi version is iPad 2,1, iPad 2 GSM is iPad 2,2 and iPad 2 CDMA is iPad 2,3. So what could be the new iPad 2,4? There are rumors that this new gadget might be a Sprint version of iPad 2. However 3G Sprint iPad would be the same hardware as the Verizon iPad, so new name might be iPad 2 WiMAX. Other rumors say this is iPad for China's TD-LTE or a dual-mode device like the current iPhone 4S.

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Digitimes reports that Apple plans to update its MacBook Air line in the first quarter of 2012. The company is expected to launch a new 15-inch model alongside refreshed 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch models with Intel's Ivy Bridge processors that will bring significant graphics improvements and new OpenCL support.

Apple reportedly is set to launch its new MacBook Air series notebooks with panel sizes of 11.6-inch, 13.3-inch and 15-inch in the first quarter of 2012 and will directly compete against ultrabooks from PC brand vendors, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

The sources noted that related upstream players have already started pilot production of the MacBook Air models and will add a 15-inch model into the product line to expand its reach in the ultra-thin notebook market.

Apple is likely to provide discounts on the current MacBook Air models ahead of the debut of the new models.

First rumors about new ultra-thin 15-inch notebook from Apple appeared in July. Digitimes also reported that component production for the notebook had begun with an eye toward a second quarter 2012 launch.

Local residents view Apple's massive data center in Maiden, N.C. as “disappointing development” because it seems not to answer their expectations, bringing just 50 full-time jobs to the area with double-digit unemployment rates. Residents are rather skeptical about Apple’s positive influence on the city, and thinking that the company has done nothing to improve the situation.

But, at the least, two residents, Donnie and Kathy Fulbrigh, have benefitted significantly from Apple's venture. Apple paid $1.7 million for their one-acre property. At first they didn’t want to sell their property, but Apple offered them to set their own price, and they finally gave up. As for others, the situation hasn’t changed for them. It still very hard to run a business here.

The North Carolina legislature amended its corporate income tax law in order to offer Apple tax breaks of up to $46 million over the next 10 years to build its data center in the state. According to the report, local authorities have discounted property taxes by 50 percent and personal taxes by 85 percent. In exchange, Apple has created 50 full-time jobs and is also expected to create 250 "indirect contracting jobs."

Bloomberg reports that Australian appeals court is hearing testimony related to the injunction issued to prevent Samsung from selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia.  As you remember, the injunction was result of complaints from Apple of design infringement. Judges in the appeals case are skeptical of the fairness of the injunction.

“The result looks terribly fair to Apple and not terribly fair to Samsung,” Federal Court Justice Lindsay Foster said today at a hearing in Sydney on Samsung’s appeal for the ban to be overturned.

The injunction was issued by Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett on October 13. According to the injunction, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 was banned from selling in Australia until Samsung and Apple resolve the patent dispute. Neil Young, Samsung’s lawyer, said that the Justice did not take into account the “dire consequences” of the ban on Samsung. Judges may allow Samsung to sell the device during two-three months before the full trial can take place in March, believing that it won’t severely harm Apple.

Hitachi and Sony are reportedly working together to supply Apple with 4-inch LCD displays for an unspecified iOS device that is expected to be launched in 2012. Apple is said to be working on a fundamentally new display technology for the iPad 4. Some sources claim that Hitachi Displays, Ltd. and Sony Mobile Display Corporation have already begun supplying Apple with 4-inch LCD panels for unknown iOS device.  Moreover, in 2012 spring the two companies will merge with Toshiba Mobile Display Co., Ltd. to form "Japan Display."

Earlier this week, we reported that Apple chose Sharp as a manufacture of panels for the iPad 3. The company even invested in a Sharp’s factory to ensure that Sharp will be able to satisfy Apple’s display needs and support Sharp's production capacity for IGZO (indium, gallium, zinc) LCD panels for the next iPhone and iPad.

"The IGZO technology is perfect in that it offers near-OLED power consumption while having a lower cost and thinness that is only 25% greater than OLED, based on our checks," said Jeffries analyst Peter Misek.

MacMagazine.br has received leaked photos that depicts an 8GB iPhone 4 produced by Foxconn in Brazil. But the 8GB iPhone 4 is not expected to go on sale in Brazil.

The back cover of the device contains the words "Brazilian Industry" in Portuguese, the stamp of approval from ANATEL, the country's telecommunications agency. The Brazilian iPhone 4 has reportedly iOS 5.0 and a model number that ends with "BR," indicating that the device was manufactured in Brazil.

Apple's manufacturing partner Foxconn is said to be considering an investment as large as $12 billion on production facilities in Brazil. But, according a report from September, negotiations between the company and the government have stalled because of disagreements over tax rates, unprepared infrastructure and the lack of qualified workers.

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The Wall Street Journal’s sources confirm that Sharp will indeed produce display parts for the upcoming Apple’s iPad 3.

Apple Inc. is adding Sharp Corp. as a maker of screens used in the next-generation iPad, people familiar with the situation said Thursday, as the U.S. consumer electronics company moves to diversify component suppliers for its products.

Apple is also investing in Sharp's panel manufacturing factories in Japan. According to sources, Apple wants to ensure that Sharp will able to produce enough panels to satisfy Apple’s needs. Sharp already supplies panels for the iPhone and can be supplier of panels for the next-generation iPhone that is expected to be launched next year.

We should admit that Sharp was expected to be Apple’s new source of iPad screens. Moreover, the recent analyst report notes that production of iPad 3 screens already started and that Apple and Sharp have developed a new technology to allow a thinner high resolution display for the next iPad.

According to VR-Zone's report, Intel is developing a standard docking format for their future Ultrabook platform. The new docking system would include a Thunderbolt connector as well as a proprietary connector.

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Jefferies analyst Peter Misek claims that commercial production of Apple's anticipated television set is expected to begin in February. Sharp was chosen as a manufacturer of TFT-LCD panels. Other TV makers, of course, want to find out as soon as possible what features of the product may be.

"They hope to avoid the fate of other industries and manufacturers who were caught flat footed by Apple," Misek wrote. "Having said that, it appears that mainstream TV manufacturers are likely to be at least 6 to 12 months behind in a best-case scenario."

TV makers believe in Android potential that may compete with Apple’s television set and add cloud capabilities to thier TVs. The other reason for TV makers to worry about the launch of Apple’s TV is that Apple is rumored to implement its unique voice recognition service, Siri, in the device. According to Steve Job’s biography by Walter Isaacson, he wanted Apple’ TV to be a completely new product that would feature "the simplest user interface you could imagine," as he believed that there was "no reason" for televisions to be as difficult to use as they currently are.

Misek expects the Apple television will be launched in the middle of 2012.