Apple Meets With Thai Officials to Discuss 'iPhone 6' Approval Disclosure Posted: 14 Aug 2014 08:14 AM PDT According to a report from Thailand's Thai Rath newspaper [Google Translate], Apple has already met with officials at the country's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to discuss the recent disclosure that two iPhone 6 models have been approved by the government agency for import into the Asian country. NBTC secretary Takorn Tantasith earlier this week released the approval information on two "iPhone 6" models A1586 and A1524, reportedly in accordance with guidelines that require the public announcement of approved hardware. The declaration, which he also broadcast on Twitter, contained only the product name and model numbers, but no other details about the iPhone 6 handsets. As noted by several observers, the iPhone 6 approval was the first time a specific device was named in a Tweet by the NBTC secretary, making it an obvious deviation from usual practice.
4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 mockups compared to iPhone 5s Apple is unsurprisingly upset with this public notification, claiming the disclosure released confidential information about its upcoming handset. The NBTC secretary countered Apple's assertion, arguing that that these announcements do not reveal confidential product details and are meant to protect consumers. He said Apple would be within its rights to penalize Thailand for this leak by canceling its plans to release the iPhone in Thailand later this year, but he stands by his decision to disclose the approval. Translation by a MacRumors reader:
Apple requested a meeting with NBTC officials to discuss the situation, with Apple emphasizing that the new device may not necessarily be called "iPhone 6" but otherwise resolving the matter.
Rumors suggest Apple is working on two iPhone models for release in the upcoming months. The next generation handset is expected to be unveiled during a September 9 press event with a 4.7-inch model slated to go on sale shortly after the announcement. A larger 5.5-inch model may debut alongside the smaller model or up to a few months later. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Assembled iPhone 6 Logic Board Revealed in New Photo Posted: 14 Aug 2014 06:27 AM PDT With under four weeks to go until the expected introduction of the iPhone 6, increasingly complex parts are continuing to leak. Just weeks ago, photos showing two bare logic boards similar to but distinct from corresponding parts from existing iPhones surfaced, lending credence to rumors of two larger iPhone 6 models. One of those logic boards has now been revealed in what appears to be a fully assembled state in a photo reposted by Apple.club.tw [Google Translate]. While several physical features such as the nano-SIM slot, a number of connectors for flex cable components, and a flash storage chip that appears to be from Toshiba are visible in the somewhat blurry photo, the most interesting components of the board unfortunately remain hidden under electromagnetic shielding. A silver component at the bottom of the board on the left is almost certainly the Wi-Fi module, although no identifiable markings can be seen.
Annotated photo of iPhone 6 logic boards A second photo [Google Translate] shared by Apple.club.tw today shows a pair of flex cables also said to be from the iPhone 6. The cables appear to be the same as seen in a detailed photo of the front panel display assembly yesterday. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Pegatron Reportedly Lands 50% of 4.7-Inch iPhone 6 Orders for This Year Posted: 14 Aug 2014 12:12 AM PDT The report also notes that the rest of the orders for the iPhone 6 are expected to go to Foxconn, who has helped produce iPhone 5s and other Apple devices. Pegatron's relationship with Apple is said to also have grown tighter recently, as the supplier has managed assembly for the iPad mini and the iPhone 5c throughout the past year. It is currently unknown which supplier will take care of orders for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6, although the larger device could see constrained supply this year due to production challenges. Apple will publicly unveil the iPhone 6 for the first time at an event on September 9, with a launch for the 4.7-inch version likely coming a week later as with prior years. In addition to a larger display, the phone is expected to feature a thinner, curved bezel and incorporate a faster A8 chip, an advanced camera, and iOS 8. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Apple Bans Two Hazardous Chemicals From Final iPhone Assembly Process Posted: 13 Aug 2014 05:44 PM PDT Apple announced today that it is banning the use of benzene and n-hexande, two potentially hazardous chemicals, during final assembly for both iPhone and iPad, according to the Associated Press. Benzene is a carcinogen that has been linked to leukemia when not handled properly and n-hexane has been linked to nerve damage.
The Cupertino company conducted a four-month investigation at 22 factories and found no evidence that either benzene or n-hexane endangered the 500,000 workers at those factories. Four of the factories had traces of the two chemicals at "acceptable safety levels" while the other 18 contained no trace of either. Still, Apple decided to order its suppliers to stop using the two chemicals for final assembly for iPhones, iPads, Macs, iPods and accessories. The factories will also be required to test all substances to make sure the chemicals aren't present, even if they're not listed in the ingredients. The two chemicals are often found in cleaner used on machinery and electronics. However, Apple will still allow benzene and n-hexane at plants responsible for the early production phase of its devices, which are, for the most part, different from the final assembly plants. Apple is lowering the maximum amount of the two chemicals that can be used during early processes. Lisa Jackson, Apple's VP of environmental initiatives, told the AP that the company wanted to be "responsive to concerns" and "crack down on chemical exposures".
The two chemicals aren't exclusively used by Apple's manufacturing processes, as other large tech companies have faced the same criticisms. Small traces of benzene can also be found in gasoline, cigarettes, paints, glues and more. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Samsung Expands Anti-Apple 'Wall Huggers' Advertisement to Airports Posted: 13 Aug 2014 04:09 PM PDT Back in early July, Samsung launched a new Galaxy S5 ad calling iPhone users "Wall Huggers" and mocking the iPhone for having a short battery life while touting the battery-saving capabilities of its own newest flagship phone. Samsung has now expanded its "Wall Huggers" advertising campaign to select airports, according to CNET , displaying Galaxy S5 ads alongside power outlets. In addition to highlighting the Galaxy S5's Ultra Power Saving Mode, the ads include the words "So you have the power to be anywhere but here," possibly poking fun at Apple's own recent line of app-focused advertising, which revolves around the tagline "You're more powerful than you think."
While Apple does not have a similar power saving feature on the iPhone, it does provide users with quick access to settings like WiFi and Bluetooth, plus options to disable battery draining features like background app usage and location services. Apple's newest operating system, iOS 8, also includes battery saving functions like Battery Usage, which lets users keep an eye on apps that are draining too much power. Many people are hoping Apple's upcoming iPhone 6 will introduce better battery life, but signs have pointed towards only modest battery gains thus far. Various rumors suggest the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 could get a battery between 1,800 and 2,100 mAh, a moderate improvement over 1,560 mAh battery in the iPhone 5s. Samsung's Galaxy S5 ads can be found at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, at the Newark Liberty International airport in New Jersey, and at the O'Hare and Midway airports in Chicago. The advertisements may also expand to other airports in the future. Update: MacRumors reader Harrison Weinerman has sent in a much clearer image of Samsung's new outlet ad taken in Terminal C at the Newark airport in New Jersey on August 10.
Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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iPhone 6 Front Panel, Power Button, and Mute Switch Shown in High-Quality Photos Posted: 13 Aug 2014 11:57 AM PDT Following previous photo sets showing an unfinished 4.7-inch iPhone 6 rear shell and assorted other parts in recent weeks, luxury modified iPhone vendor Feld & Volk [Instagram page] has shared another set of high-quality photos showing parts from the device. While many of the parts have already been seen, this new set provides our best look yet at some of those, as well as a few new ones. One photo shows the inside of the front panel and display assembly, with some of the components near the top pulled apart to give a good look at how the digitizer/LCD flex cables and earpiece come together with room for the front camera and proximity/ambient light sensors all packed into one small area of the device.
iPhone 6 power button iPhone 6 mute switch Finally, the set includes a high-quality photo of the SIM card tray, again showing the silver metal finish of the part.
Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Apple and HP Discussed 'Enterprise Siri' Search Product Ahead of Apple's IBM Deal Posted: 13 Aug 2014 11:14 AM PDT According to The Information's report, though Apple held discussions with HP, the latter company has also been in talks with Google's Android unit for the past year over a potential partnership for the "Enterprise Siri" technology, which could lead to something like an enterprise version of Google Now for corporate data.
Now that Apple has inked a deal with IBM to further its hold on the enterprise market, a deal with HP for a powerful enterprise search product could allow Google to gain ground as well. While more than 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies already use Apple devices in their businesses, Apple's recent partnership with IBM has the potential to skyrocket Apple's enterprise sales. As part of the deal, IBM will develop more than 100 industry-specific native apps that are built from the ground up for the iPhone and the iPad to draw new customers in industries like retail, healthcare, banking, travel, transportation, and more. IBM will also offer Apple's iOS devices to its corporate customers and has plans to provide cloud storage, analytics services, and 24/7 assistance to enterprise customers under a new AppleCare plan. IBM's first apps will roll out this fall, with additional apps coming in 2015. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Thursday, 14 August 2014
MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors
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