• Apple Preparing Thinner and Lighter iPhone 5 to Launch This Fall

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, Cloud, Featured, Gadgets, iPhone, News, Rants & Raves, Rumors, Tech. 3 Responses

    Citing a new report from WSJ today indicates that Apple is indeed gearing up with a new iPhone for a launch this fall, with an initial production target of 25 million units through the end of the year.

    “Apple’s sales estimates of the new iPhone is quite aggressive. It told us to prepare to help the company meet its goal of 25 million units by the end of the year,” said another person at one of Apple’s suppliers. “The initial production volume will be a few million units… we were told to ship the components to assembler Hon Hai in August.”

    The various iPhone 5 rumors have been going back and forth on whether or not a significant redesign is coming, but the new report seems to suggest that iPhone 5 will have a completely redesigned case after all:

    According to some suppliers of components to Apple, the new version of the iPhone is expected to be thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4 and sport an 8-megapixel camera. One person said the new iPhone will operate on Qualcomm Inc.’s wireless baseband chips.

    Apple’s manufacturing partner Foxconn/Hon Hai is said to be having difficulties with the new device due to it being “complicated and difficult to assemble.“

    Two of the people, however, cautioned that shipments of the new iPhone could be delayed if Hon Hai can’t improve its yield rate as the new iPhone is “complicated and difficult to assemble.”

    Reports over the past few months have been pointing to a September release for the next-generation iPhone, carrying Apple’s A5 processor with an 8-megapixel rear camera, and a Qualcomm baseband chip for both GSM and CDMA networks. iOS 5 and iCloud are also to be released this fall as well.

  • iPhone 5 and iPad 3 Parts Being Prepared For October Release?

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, Gadgets, iPad, iPhone, News, Rants & Raves, Tech. No Responses

    DigiTimes is reporting that the supply chain for not only the iPhone 5 but iPad 3 is beginning to prepare materials for production of the two devices. Both devices are likely to make their debuts in September and to hit the market in October, according to industry sources.

    iPhone 5’s supply volume is estimated to be around 6-7 million units in the third quarter and with the addition of iPhone 4 shipments, total iPhone shipments in the quarter will reach 24-25 million units with volumes to maintain at the same level in the fourth quarter. In 2011, Apple is forecasted to ship over 85 million iPhones.

    Upstream component makers including Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), which is in charge of assembling the devices; Simplo Technologies and Dynapack International Technology, in charge of manufacturing batteries; TPK Holding and Wintek, in charge of touch panel modules; Catcher, in charge of chassis; and Largan Precision, in charge of webcams, are all expected to benefit from the orders.

    DigiTimes has somewhat of a hit-and-miss record of Apple related rumors, while the iPhone 5 is expected, the iPad 3 release is somehow questionable. Previous rumors pointed out to two iPad will make their releases this year, so this might work this time.

  • Explosion at Chinese Foxconn iPad Factory Kills Two

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, Gadgets, iPad, News No Responses

    Chinese television is reporting a big explosion at Foxconn’s factory. It has happened in building A05, the production line for iPad 2.

    Right now, there are more than ten fire engines and ten ambulances at the scene. According to TV reports, the place is in chaos and Foxconn’s spokesperson is still not answering his phone. Watch the video below:

    At approximately 7 pm on May 20, there was an explosion at our Chengdu campus. At this point, we can also confirm that there were two fatalities with injuries to 16 other employees. We are working with medical officials to provide treatment to the injured employees and we are working with government and law enforcement officials to contact the families of all employees affected by this tragedy.

    The situation has been brought under control by the fire department and the cause of this explosion is being investigated by local police officials. Foxconn is cooperating fully with that investigation.

    Production has been suspended at the site of the explosion until the completion of the investigation. The safety of our employees is our highest priority and we will do whatever is required to determine and address the cause of this tragic accident.

    [via Gizmodo]

  • iPhone 5 Will Have A Metal Back, And A Larger Screen

    // Gradly // Apple, blog, iPhone, News, Rumors 2 Responses

    Apple’s fifth generation iPhone will purportedly feature a metal back, and a larger screen. The news comes from a Foxconn source, who has apparently seen the iPhone 5 at one of the company’s plants.

    According to the source, the iPhone 5 will look “fairly similar” to the iPhone 4, despite two changes: A flat, metal back, and a bigger screen. Previously, Digitimes had reported that Apple’s fifth generation iPhone would feature a four inch screen. This statement was supported by a purported iPhone 5 design image, which showed an iPhone handset with an edge to edge screen (made possible by a thinner bezel).

    A four inch iPhone would mean Apple could compete with Google Android handsets in the four to seven inch smart phone market. The iPhone 4 currently boasts a 3.5 inch display.

    Apple fans would most likely appreciate an iPhone handset with a four inch screen. However, I’m more excited about the iPhone 5′s purported metal back – after dropping and smashing my iPhone 4 a couple of weeks ago, I’m really hoping the iPhone 5 is a more durable handset.

    Apple’s fifth generation iPhone will very likely be announced on stage at WWDC ’11, which should take place in June. Until then, let us know what kind of iPhone 5 you’re hoping for in the comments below.