The iWatch trademark has been actively pushed forward during the past few weeks. As a result, Apple is now recognized as its official owner in several countries, namely Russia, Japan, Taiwan and some others. Oddly enough, the Cupertino company hasn't yet filed for the iWatch trademark on its domestic market as well as in Europe. Why is it so?
NTT DoCoMo, the biggest mobile carrier in Japan, is facing a serious problem of losing clients. Its firm denial to work with Apple iPhone cost it 3.2 million users over the last 4 and a half years. It is put down to high popularity of iPhone in Japan. Being the most desirable smartphone, it occupies a 42 % share of cell phone sales.
NTT DoCoMo CEO Kaoru Kayo says:
Our aim is to develop a special “lifestyle system”. It requires preinstalled software on mobile phones.
Naturally, remembering how closed iOS system is, Apple does not let NTT DoCoMo install any programs on its devices. Another problem issue is placing carrier’s logo on the iPhone. It is obvious that California-based company refuses to accept there conditions.
In addition to filing a trademark for the name “iWatch” in Russia and Japan, Apple has requested a trademark for “iWatch” with Mexico’s “Institute of Industrial Property.” The Mexico-based filing was made public in recent days, but the request was originally filed on June 3rd.
Bloomberg reports that Apple has filed a trademark for “iWatch” in Japan, according to a filing with the Japan Patent Office from early June. The filing, which was reportedly made publicly available last week, is in reference to an Apple “handheld computer” or “watch device.”
This does not mean that Apple will release iWatch, but it certainly fuels speculation that an Apple-branded smartwatch is in the works.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has been fairly accurate regarding Apple hardware releases, claims that Apple's smart watch will not be released until the end of 2014.
Apple may not have adequate resources to develop an iWatch version of iOS because it may require big changes to iPhone and iPad iOS this year. In addition, wearable device components aren’t mature. For these reasons, we think mass production of the iWatch is more likely to begin in 2H14, not 2H13 as the market speculates.
The Verge reports that the first volume Mari Yamazaki’s manga based on the biography of Steve Jobs written by Walter Isaacson, will be introduced in Japan in May.
Apple released iOS 6.1.3 which fixes a lock screen passcode bug and brings improvements to Maps in Japan. It also disables Evasi0n jailbreak.
iOS 6.1.3:
This update contains improvements and other bug fixes including:
● Fixes a bug that could allow someone to bypass the passcode and access the Phone app
● Improvements to Maps in Japan
Paul Semenza, an analyst at research firm DisplaySearch, tells CNET that the iPad mini with Retina display may appear in the third or fourth quarter of this year.
Apple has released iOS 6.1.3 beta 2 to developers which includes a fix for the recently discovered lock screen bug.
iOS 6.1.3 Beta 2 includes a security fix for a Lock screen bug and the following improvements to Maps for Japan:
● Improved pronunciation of roads during turn-by-turn navigation
● Optimized directions to more strongly prefer highways over narrower roads
● Now indicates upcoming toll roads during turn-by-turn navigation
● Added labels for junctions, interchanges, on-ramps, off-ramps, and intersections
● Added indicators for transit station buildings, subway lines, and traffic lights
● Updated freeway color to green
● Updated icons for some location categories including fire stations, hospitals, and post offices
● Added 3D buildings including Tokyo Station, Japan Imperial Palace, and Tokyo Tower
You can get the new build (10B318) from the iOS Dev Center.
Apple has released iOS 6.1.1 beta to developers. It’s only been a week since Apple released iOS 6.1 to the public. And it's just 48 hours after the iOS 6.x evasi0n jailbreak was released. Release notes indicate maps improvement and some other optimization. well, we understand that the main purpose of iOS 6.1.1 is probably to fix vulnerabilities used by envasi0n jailbreak.
MuscleNerd already commented via twitter:
6.1.1 beta is already out to developers! Obviously stay away from that.
During the Conference on financial results, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the 36 additional providers will support LTE connectivity for the iPhone and iPad next week.
Reuters reports that Sharp, one of the major partners that produce displays for Apple`s mobile devices, has reduced the production of displays for iPad at one of its plants. Sources do not indicate the reasons for the dramatic reduction, but it seems to be a combination of decreasing consumer interest to the iPad mini and the natural seasonal downturn.
Apple today announced that celluar version of the iPad mini Wi-Fi and fouth-generation iPad will appear in China this Friday. The iPad mini and the new iPad are now available in more than 100 countries.
Today Brian White, analyst from Topeka Capital Markets, released a new report based on information obtained from sources at CES currently held in Las Vegas. According to his note, Apple is preparing to release the next-generation versions of the iPad mini and full-sized iPad this March. He said: