News tagged ‘design’

According to UBM TechInsights, Apple had been testing an InvenSense gyroscope in its iPad prototypes, but final version of the next-gen iPad will use a component from STMicroelectronics, which is also used in the iPhone 4. The company's product manager Steve Bitton wonders why there is no gyroscope in the current iPad.

“It seemed strange at the time that a product like the iPad would have been designed to not include a gyroscope but an iPhone 4 that was being designed at around the same time would”.

Moreover, Bitton disassembled an iPad and found an empty space where gyroscope exactly fits. And if InvenSense unit requires 24 pads, STMicro L3G4200D unit needs only 16 pads and is already used in the iPhone 4, so it obviously will be easier for Apple to use a component, which is also already supported by an iOS4.

"Apple probably chose to wait until the next iteration of the iPad to introduce gyroscope capabilities [and plans] to use [the] ST Micro’s L3G4200D to reduce the amount of [software] development required”.

Along with "Try Before You Buy" Apple added Genius section to the iPad App Store. Though there was no official announcement, according to MacRumors the section appeared as far back as last night.

"Genius" option can be found next to "Updates" section at the bottom of the store. If you click on it for the first time you'll need to agree to the terms of service and activate the feature.

Genius is designed to create lists of recommended apps that based on users' previous purchases. That makes it easier for users to uncover, download and buy more relevant applications.

Genius page also includes "iPad Upgrades" section that has iPad versions of apps that have been earlier developed for iPhone.

Apple just released its third quarter earnings. Here is a quick summary:

• Revenue: $15.7 Billion (record)
• Profit: $3.25 billion ($3.51/share)
• Margin: 39.1% (vs 40.9% last year)

International sales accounted for 52% of revenue

Sales:

• Macs: 3.47 million
• iPods: 9.41 million
• iPhones: 8.4 million
• iPads: 3.27 million

Here is the official press release:

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Research in Motion's Chief Executive Officers Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie have released an official statement on the Apple's latest press conference, where the company showed the antenna issue on BlackBerry 9700 to prove that such a problem a normal thing for every smartphone. Both of the directors were stunned that Apple mentioned RIM in order to justify their mistake:

"Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple."

According to Wall Street Journal, Apple will not recall those 2 million iPhones 4 that have been already shipped worldwide.

The source, which is familiar with the matter, told that Jobs knew about possible antenna issues nearly a year ago, but he was so amazed by new design that "Apple went ahead with its development". That person also confirmed that the problem was not discovered until now because the units that were tested by the company and its carrier partners were covered in different cases to obscure the design and some functions.

"Those test phones are specifically designed so the phone can't be touched, which made it hard to catch the iPhone 4's antenna problem".

Moreover, carrier partners had limited time to test the new phone, not to mention that Apple equipped them with "fewer devices to test than other handset makers."

Today Apple is going to hold a special press conference about iPhone 4, so there are all chances the true story about antenna issue will finally be revealed.

Apple has published an official public letter of response to concerns about the iPhone 4 signaling problems. Some would say this is very nice and great. Others would complain this is just a cop out. Well, at least we see that Apple is aware of users' problems. Apple claims, that it's just a software problem of calculating how many bars of signal strength to display. Apple says there is no hardware problem.

Here it the full letter:

Dear iPhone 4 Users,

The iPhone 4 has been the most successful product launch in Apple’s history. It has been judged by reviewers around the world to be the best smartphone ever, and users have told us that they love it. So we were surprised when we read reports of reception problems, and we immediately began investigating them. Here is what we have learned.

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The antenna problems of the iPhone 4 are still there. More and more people come across it, and in this video you’ll see the result of one simple touch that completely stops web-page loading.

The problem with the iPhone is not just about it not displaying the signal bars but actually about the real data loss. Quite simple: you leave your iPhone on the table and it loads the web-pages at a normal speed. You touch the problematic area, and the web-page stops loading.

Since the fault is in the design – the antenna is located all around the phone, and it’s quite hard to avoid it unless you have a case for it – at some point the problem is sure to affect everyone, unless you are very close to a cell tower.

While the iPhone is a great invention, at least 40% of the buyers have admitted that they are experiencing this problem, and in the UK the figure is as high as 93%. Apple hasn’t provided any solution yet, except the advice to buy a case or to hold the device in a different way.

In the full-page Motorola advertisement in The New York Times doesn’t hesitate to refer to the iPhone 4 signal loss problems:

"And most importantly, it comes with a double antenna design. The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like and use it just about anywhere to make crystal clear calls. You have a voice. And you deserve to be heard."

Not the first case now! Seems like Apple is providing plenty of material for their rivals!

One of iPhone 4’s main design features is its front and black made entirely of glass which, according to Apple, is more resistant to scratches than ever. The company is so sure of the durability and strength of the new device’s glass that the only protection feature they are offering is bumpers for the edges, while the front and black are fully exposed.

According to some reviews from the iPhone 4’s new owners, the glass seems to be holding up quite well, and no effects were observed even after dropping the device. However, there are some new photos which prove that the situation is not as sunny as it is claimed to be.

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After the iPad launch in early April, Google created a formatted version of Gmail for iPad that uses its HTML5-based platform in order to create a 2-column format which is similar to the one used for Apple’s Mail on iPad. After the launch Google remarked that the process of testing interface design and features of iPad Gmail was still on, and today we have a new proof that the testing isn’t over yet.

The present 2-column interface of the Gmail for iPad is going to be supplemented with a new full-screen window that will appear over the Gmail window and will make it easier to write emails on iPad.

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Thermaltake Technology company has a devision called LUXA2, which has many interesting luxury products. The recent interesting one is LUXA2 H4 - the Apple iPad solid-aluminum holder.

The holder looks really nice and is well manufactured. The main material is aluminum. The design is great and reminds us different Apple products, especially the iMac stand. LUXA2 H4 holds the iPad with two short and two V-shaped arms, that have six rubber nubs. The nubs tightly grip the iPad without scratching it. The user is able to adjust the width of the stand by pulling these arms. That's why LUXA2 H4 fits not only for the iPad, but can hold Amazon Kindle and many other eBook readers and tablets. This gives the H4 additional advantage over other stands on the market.

The holder also allows 360-degree rotation and 300-degree vertical adjustment. So there is no problem putting iPad at the right angle. Setting the iPad in portrait or landscape orientation is really very easy. However be careful rotating the device, since there are no V-shaped arms on the top.

LUXA2 H4 is great for internet browsing, ebook reading, watching movies and even gaming. It looks especially good when used with iPad and external keyboard.

Specifications:

• Height: 206mm (8.12 inches)
• Width: 151mm (5.98 inches)
• Depth: 138mm (5.44 inches)
• Weight: 446g / 0.98 lbs.
• Adjustable Angle: 360° (Rotated) and 300°(Vertical)

LUXA2 H4 costs around $59.99. The list of distributors is available here.

Here are more photos and video with LUXA2 H4:

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Another iPhone 4 has been discovered in the world, and this time the place is the Czech Republic! We already know what the external design of the iPhone 4 looks like but thanks to some Czech folks from the website called Jablickar.cz we now have something much more!

The official photographs taken under optimal conditions by the iPhone 4 are already out but what about the iPhone 4 potential in real conditions? Now we’ve got exclusive images taken with the rear camera as well as an HD-quality video.

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Yesterday Apple presented new version of the MobileMe subscription service alone with its new design and Find My iPhone application.

New version of the MobileMe mail was in beta since May, and those who wanted to try it had already had an opportunity. Here is a shortlist of innovations:

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On June, 4 Apple sent a letter to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) with request to keep new iPhone’s photos and any information about it in secret for forty five days.

Though this is a standard practice for Apple, the situation looks pretty strange as the device’s internals had been already revealed with numerous prototype leaks. But Patently Apple, the company that obtained and published the letter, found the explanation in the document itself:

“Although Apple has begun to market the device publicly, these documents reveal technical and design information that has not yet been publicly disclosed in such marketing and that is protected by Apple as confidential and proprietary secrets”.

AppleInsider created a list of new iPhone’s technical details and features that Apple may want to keep in secret for a while. It includes new features of A4 SoC, details of new frame antenna, new cellular radio support for pentaband UMTS (850/900/1700/1900/2100MHz) 3G bands, details related to possible support of T-Mobile (AWS UMTS IV band) and Verizon/Sprint (CDMA/EVDO) networks.

When Gizmodo showed new iPhone's prototype most of us stopped expecting from Jobs anything shocking on WWDC 2010. But he amazed us, and not only with new display's resolution, FaceTime function and 802.11n support, but also with gyroscope. Many developers instantly realized - this is a new breakthrough.

While conventional accelerometer measures linear acceleration as a change of direction apart a change in velocity, a gyroscope measures angular acceleration, or in other words, a change in both direction and velocity at the same time. Thus the device can sense its rotation while ignoring hand jitters and linear movements, which is impossible for accelerometer.

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