Amazon's Smartphone with 3D Capabilities Revealed in New Photos Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:43 AM PDT Recent reports suggest Amazon may be preparing a smartphone with 3D capabilities to compete with Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy handsets. New details from BGR and TechCrunch shed some light on this 3D feature and possibly provide us with our first look at the phone, which is partially hidden inside a case.
The biggest differentiator between Amazon's smartphone and those from Apple and Samsung is a 3D feature, which allegedly uses up to 4 cameras and additional sensors embedded in the phone. Amazon may use the 3D technology to showcase its own products, allowing users to explore a three-dimensional product images, claims BGR.
The 3D capability of the phone may also provide a parallax effect, similar to that in iOS 7. Amazon's implementation in its FireOS may be greatly exaggerated as compared to Apple's version and supposedly is limited to only a few key gestures, reports TechCrunch .
Rumors point to a possible announcement in the coming months with a target launch date of late September, but this may be subject to change. Amazon allegedly is showcasing the device to key developers as it tries to build third-party support for the platform before it is launched. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Pioneer Brings Apple CarPlay to Existing In-Dash Receivers Posted: 15 Apr 2014 06:31 AM PDT In line with earlier reports, Pioneer today announced it is bringing Apple's CarPlay technology to its existing product line. CarPlay will be added to the company's five 2014 NEX in-dash multimedia receivers via a firmware update that will be made available in early summer 2014.
Pioneer in-dash multimedia systems compatible with Apple's CarPlay include the $1400 AVIC-8000NEX, the $1200 AVIC-7000NEX, the $900 AVIC-6000NEX, the $750 AVIC-5000NEX and the $700 AVH-4000NEX. These receivers are available from authorized Pioneer dealers such as Best Buy, Crutchfield and Car Toys.
CarPlay can be added to existing systems as the technology works in conjunction with BlackBerry's QNX Car Platform, which powers many existing in-car infotainment systems. Beside Pioneer, car audio manufacturer Alpine may begin selling its own aftermarket in-dash entertainment systems that will support Apple's CarPlay feature. Alpine's CarPlay receivers are expected to debut this fall in Europe and the U.S. with a base price of $500 to $700. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Alleged iPhone 6 Batteries Photographed in Production Tray Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:21 AM PDT French site Nowhereelse.fr [Google Translation] has shared a photo of what are claimed to be batteries for the iPhone 6 spotted in a production tray. While the validity of the image cannot be confirmed, the batteries do appear to share similar physical characteristics with other iPhone batteries.
A report last month indicated that Apple would begin producing all iPhone batteries on automated production lines starting later this year, allowing the company to shift its supply chain resources towards production efforts on other parts. If real, this new image would indicate that Apple has stepped up its battery production efforts ahead of the iPhone 6's launch. The leak follows a number of others in recent weeks, including an image from earlier this morning that allegedly depicted the front panel of the iPhone 6 as well as several photos that showed manufacturing molds hinting at a larger-screen iPhone. Apple's next-generation iPhone is expected to be unveiled this fall and has been rumored to launch in sizes of 4.7 and 5.5 inches. Various reports have noted that the 4.7 inch version will ship first, while the 5.5 inch version will ship sometime afterward due to production challenges. Both models of the next-generation iPhone are also rumored to include a new A8 processor, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and an enhanced camera with optical image stabilization. Jefferies analyst Peter Misek also noted yesterday that Apple is negotiating with wireless carriers to increase the price of the iPhone 6 by $100. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Photo of Alleged Front Panel from Larger-Screen iPhone 6 Surfaces [Updated] Posted: 15 Apr 2014 02:37 AM PDT An alleged photo of what appears to be a front panel from Apple's larger-screen iPhone 6 has surfaced on Chinese microblogging site Weibo (via iPhone.fr, Google Translation).
While the validity of the image cannot be confirmed, the leak is the latest among a number of others recently. This past weekend, several photos reportedly showed the details on manufacturing molds for the iPhone 6, which was followed by a photo yesterday that hinted at a 4.7-inch display. Last month, Japanese magazine MacFan published alleged design drawings of what appeared to be 4.7-inch and 5.6-inch iPhone 6 models, with a photo showing cases for the larger iPhone surfacing shortly afterward. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 6 later this year, which may ship in two different sizes: 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches. Recent reports have indicated that the smaller 4.7 inch version will ship first in the fall, while the larger version may ship later this year or in early 2015 due to manufacturing challenges. Along with a larger screen, both models of the next-generation iPhone are rumored to include a new A8 processor, Touch ID fingerprint sensor and an upgraded camera featuring optical image stabilization. A report yesterday from Jefferies analyst Peter Misek also stated that Apple is negotiating with wireless carriers to raise the price of the iPhone 6 by $100. Update 8:07 AM: A second comparison photo has also been discovered on Weibo, showing the iPhone 6 panel next to an iPhone 5 or 5s that is turned on. The image is of relatively low quality, but does offer a fairly straight-on view that shows the larger iPhone accommodating a screen of approximately 4.7 inches.
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LG Again Rumored to be Sole Supplier of Flexible Displays for iWatch Posted: 14 Apr 2014 11:40 PM PDT LG will be the sole supplier for flexible displays to be used in the iWatch as Apple looks to launch the device later this year in two sizes, according to a report from Korea's Naver [Google Translate, via GforGames ].
iWatch concept by Todd Hamilton, based on the Nike FuelBand The report notes that Apple is targeting to sell 9 million iWatch units by the end of the year with LG's collaboration, as the device itself will be released in September. The report also claimed that the iWatch will come in two different sizes of 1.3 inches and 1.5 inches, which falls in line with previous reports about the smartwatch. In February, a report from Korean publication Digital Daily shared similar details, noting also that LG would be the sole supplier of the panels for the iWatch, and that the Korean company would start mass production of the flexible displays starting in July 2014. Apple was rumored to have selected LG's panels because they were thin, light and provided adequate brightness with minimal power consumption; characteristics that the company is said to have been pursuing for the device's display. In addition to being released in two separate sizes and featuring a flexible display, the iWatch is also rumored to come with a multitude of biometric sensors and include integration with the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In a research note last week, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi also estimated that Apple will release the iWatch at multiple price points and in a variety of materials, with the highest-end selling for thousands of dollars. Apple is expected to reveal the iWatch later this year alongside iOS 8 and the iPhone 6. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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Windows Phone 8.1 Adds Support for Apple's Passbook Passes Posted: 14 Apr 2014 11:09 AM PDT  Microsoft has added support for Apple's Passbook passes in Windows Phone 8.1, which was released today as a developer preview. Microsoft announced this latest version of Windows Phone earlier this month and equipped the mobile OS with digital assistant and Siri competitor, Cortana.As noticed by Tom Warren of The Verge and reported by iMore , Microsoft has created a method that takes the data from a Passbook file and converts it into a card that is imported into Microsoft Wallet.
It is not known whether Microsoft's system is operating independently of Apple or if the Redmond company has an agreement to convert the data to its own wallet. The service may not support iOS-specific features like Passbook updates and notifications, but the importing of data is apparently accurate. Passbook debuted in 2012 and was one of the major new apps bundled in iOS 6. The digital wallet permitted companies to store tickets, loyalty cards, coupons, gift cards and more in a centralized location on a user's iPhone and iPod touch. Apple has continued to update the service, allowing third-party apps to create Passbook passes and adding support for gift cards. Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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