Supply chain research by TrendForce backs earlier reports suggesting that this year’s iPhone will be a relatively minor upgrade over the iPhone 6s. The firm says that most of the specs have now been finalized, and the specifics listed are in line with what has been reported previously.

[The iPhone] will come in two sizes: 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches. The major hardware highlights include expanded storage for all models and dual-camera specifically for the 5.5-inch model. However, the next iPhone (here also referred to as iPhone 7) is generally consistent with its predecessor appearance-wise; and more importantly, display is not included in its upgrades.

TrendForce also supports a report by KGI that there is a specific reason for Apple’s rumored move to 3GB RAM for the larger model …

more…

Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS Devices Tagged: iPhone, iPhone 7, TrendForce

Native Union makes some really well designed accessories for Apple products, and TAG is the latest to join its collection. TAG is a stylish Lightning cable meant to look attractive enough to carry on your key chain or loop around your bag.

more…

Filed under: Tech Industry Tagged: Lightning, Native Union

If an unconfirmed Reuters report is correct, Apple could be tapping Taiwan for more than just components and assembly – it is also looking to raise capital from the island.

Apple Inc plans to issue bonds in Taiwan for the first time with the aim of raising $1 billion, sources familiar with the matter said, joining a queue of big global names that have sold billions of dollars on the island’s busy debt market.

more…

Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: AAPL, AAPL bonds, Bonds, Dividends, stock buyback, Taiwan

After our attempt at explaining the 500% markup on Apple’s new solar array yesterday, further information has now confirmed that Apple’s new stores – starting in the brand new San Francisco location – will be utilizing a new walkable solar glass floor technology for electricity generation. According to a document on Onyx Solar’s website, Apple “has decided to commit itself to OnyxSolar’s designer photovoltaic technology for its new stores. The first of these is located in the heart of San Francisco, the company’s home town.” more…

Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple, apple solar glass, Apple Store, solar, solar glass

If you search Amazon for streaming media players, you’ll find plenty of them. The one thing you won’t find is the Apple TV, and company CEO Jeff Bezos told the Re/code conference why not. Apple TV doesn’t currently offer access to Amazon’s own Prime Video platform, and Bezos says that isn’t because Apple refuses to include it, but because it wants too much money for doing so.

[W]hen we sell those devices, we want our player — our Prime Video player — to be on the device, and we want it to be on the device with acceptable business terms. You can always get the player on the device. The question is, can you get it on there with acceptable business terms?

While he doesn’t say so outright, the meaning of the vague phrase is pretty clear …

more…

Filed under: Apple TV Tagged: Amazon, Amazon Instant Video, Amazon Prime, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

It’s been mostly doom and gloom where iPhone sales and forecasts are concerned, but one analyst believes that the iPhone 7 could see record sales in September, reports Business Insider. BMO Capital Markets analyst Tim Long says the reason is because such a high proportion of existing iPhone owners currently have a model two or more years old.

Twenty-five percent of the “installed user base” is poised for an upgrade, Long believes — an audience of 120 million phones. BMO’s Long went back through the history of all iPhone sales and calculated that on average, 17% of users upgrade as soon as the next year’s model comes out; 58% upgrade a year after that; and 22% the year after that. Only 2% of users hang on longer.

While he’s predicting a huge number, the underlying figures would seem to support his contention that we can expect a marked uptake in sales even if this year’s model is less visually distinctive than we’d usually expect from a brand new model …

more…

Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS Devices Tagged: AAPL, iPhone, iPhone 7, iPhone sales

Following a rollout to the Royal Bank of Canada and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce earlier this month, Apple Pay is now coming to the other three big banks in Canada. With this rollout, Apple Pay is now supported by all of Canada’s “big five banks.” As reported by The Toronto Star, BMO, TD and Scotiabank customers will be able to use Apple starting tomorrow, June 1st.

more…

Filed under: Apple Pay

First noticed by French news outlet Jeanne Magazine, Apple modified its Mother’s Day iPhone ad in several countries to remove a same-sex couple that appears in the Untied States version of the ad. The couple does not appear in the German, Italian, Turkish, Japanese, or French versions of the ad, while they do appear in the Mexican, Australian, and Canadian versions (via BuzzFeed News).

more…

Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: Apple

When Siri originally launched on the iPhone a little over four years ago, we postulated that it would be a world-changing event. A personal assistant in our pockets that could handle real-world requests felt like the future. When it launched onto the Apple Watch, it was described as potentially being the quickest and most fun way to interact with the wearable. Then when it came to  the Apple TV, it became the fastest way to disseminate the content you want to watch across multiple apps.

more…

Filed under: Apple TV, Apple Watch, iOS, Opinion Tagged: Siri

Apple is reportedly set to introduce a major update to its MacBook Pro lineup sometime during the fourth quarter of this year. The update is said to bring a thinner design and a new OLED touch bar above the keyboard. Now, a set of spy shots claim to show the chassis of the refreshed MacBook Pro and where the reported OLED touch bar will be located.

more…

Filed under: Mac Tagged: Mac, MacBook Pro, OLED touch bar