The iPhone 5 News Blog

It’s hard to keep your finger of the pulse of everything that’s transpiring in the Apple universe, so leave it to the iPhone 5 News Blog readers and commenters to keep me in line. Commenter Michael D. dropped us a line last night and had this to say:

Based upon Apple’s previous methodology, the only time they have allowed retailers to discount their products have been just before release of the next iteration. I saw that one of your posters had mentioned that Target and another store had discounted the 4S and I just noticed on bestbuy.com that there is a $50 savings on the iPhone 4. Coincidence? I hope not.

Michael D.’s missive is well-timed: there are numerous reports today that connect nicely with the rise of iPhone 4S discounts in the U.S. retail sphere: Apple Insider, for example, is reporting that: “Analyst Shaw Wu with Sterne Agee said in a note to investors on Tuesday that he has found in his checks with suppliers that Apple has reduced iPhone orders by between 20 and 25 percent from the 35.1 million units the company shipped in the March quarter.”

Similarly, PC Advisor had this to say about the downslope of 4S orders on Wall Street: “Some Wall Street analysts are ‘starting to panic’ over Apple’s revenues for the quarter, claims Jay Yarrow, in a story at BusinessInsider. ‘Analysts think Apple is due for a big come down,’ Yarrow insists. But it’s hard to see evidence of panic.”

So, here’s the situation: production orders for the 4S are way down, retailers are dropping the prices, and the iPhone 5 — whether because it is actually coming soon or is simply perceived to be coming soon — is directly impacting the sales and order figures for this quarter.

The big question is: do these developments point to the iPhone 5 actually coming soon, or are they only a result of the rumor mill? Read More

Apple is upping the ante on its new Nano-sim card standard, offering a royalty-free license to its competitors in order to get it passed this month. Is this a desperate play to get the new standard adopted in time for a June iPhone 5 launch?

Last week, we wrote an article about the strange sighting of a purported iPhone 5 sim card tray, which looks almost identical to the one being used in the iPhone 4S. This rumor came as a surprise since, as we pointed out, the ETSI, which sets these standards, had been stalling in making a final decision on Apple’s new Nano-sim card design, based on complaints from its competitors.

Now, there are some new developments worth reporting on, since this news could play a major role in whether the iPhone 5 has any chance of being released in June. Read More

Let’s talk iPhone. More specifically, let’s talk about the name of the next iPhone — and how Apple is currently in the process of acquiring iPhone5.com.

There has been a great deal of conjecture about what Apple will name the next iPhone. Seeing as this year’s iPhone release will technically be the sixth-generation iteration of the Cupertino-based tech giant’s landmark smartphone, hard core Apple enthusiasts are quick to point out that Apple could never name the next iPhone “iPhone 5,” since the name would be out of sync with the generation. Pragmatists argue that the “iPhone 5″ moniker is just too hot for Apple to pass on, no matter how technically incorrect it may be. And still others say that Apple might simply adopt the “New iPhone” name for the next iPhone, as they did for this year’s third-generation iPad.

Last week, however, Apple took a big step in what might be the first solid clue as to what Cupertino will name the next iPhone.

In a very unusual move, Apple has taken action to wrest away the iphone5.com domain from another website owner. According to MacRumors, “Apple has filed a claim with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) seeking to gain control of the iPhone5.com domain. WIPO authorities are currently assessing compliance of Apple’s claim with the agency’s regulations, and proceedings are likely to be initiated in the near future.” Currently, the iPhone5.com domain is owned by someone else, and at present, very little is on it — it’s nothing more than a bland forum of iPhone 5 discussion.

The iphone5.com website gets very little traffic because, in spite of its domain name, it does not rank high for iPhone 5-related keywords. however, this has not stopped Apple from taking decisive action to legally control it. Read More

Purported leaked photos of a new sim card tray for the iPhone 5 appear to be remarkably similar in size and design to that of the iPhone 5. How does this story connect with the ETSI’s delay of Apple’s new “nano sim” standard?

By now you’ve probably heard about rumors of a leaked iPhone 5 sim card tray that is making its rounds on various tech blogs and media outlets. The photos — typically of most purported leaked components for the iPhone 5 — detail a sim card tray that looks remarkably similar in size and design to the sim card tray currently used on the iPhone 4S. Read More

It might just be that consumers have iPhone 5 on the brain, but blog readers are tilting their head to the left and seeing implied 5s throughout the multi-colored logo for the 2012 WWDC. Is this one of Apple’s subtle hints, or just wishful thinking?

As a postscript to my article yesterday on the official announcement of the 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference, I asked readers if they had any creative interpretations of this year’s WWDC logo, since Apple is well known to foreshadow their events with cryptic logos and promotional graphic that often hold clues to what new product is going to be announced. Apple’s choice of clues have sometimes proven to be too well-hidden, and only 20/20 hindsight reveals them after the new device has been announced.

In this case, however, a wide range of iPhone 5 News Blog readers immediately spotted a clue that jumped right out to them: a succession of implied 5s throughout the multicolored WWDC logo.

Can you see it? Cock your head to the left — readers in the thread from yesterday’s post are seeing a large, red 5 in the center of the logo, and a series of other implied 5s as well.

Of course, if you cock your head to the right, you see what looks like a series of apps or screens shooting upward, which would also imply that the WWDC will be soley about iOS 6. Still, veteran reader and commenter SpasticPat also located what he thinks looks like an implied iPhone 5 in the center of the graphic as well. A less-supported theory being bandied about is that the logo could also imply that Apple will announce the long-rumored iTV at the WWDC, or perhaps the even more mystical “Mini iPad.” But few have been able to find any hidden message in the WWDC logo to substantiate that theory. What about you? Do you see the 5s in the logo? Or do Apple users just have iPhone 5 on the brain?

By Michael Nace

Apple made the 2012 WWDC official today, confirming the assumption it would be from June 11th to the 15th. Will the iPhone 5 debut at this year’s WWDC or not? Looking back at previous developers’ conference announcement might hold some clues.

If you’re inclined to take Apple’s PR department at their word, then there is absolutely no hope whatsoever that the iPhone 5 will debut at the 2012 WWDC this year, which is scheduled for its typical location at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA from June 11th to the 15th. It’s clearly going to be one of the biggest conferences ever — tickets sold out in two hours.

Apple Insider always does a great job of keeping us up to snuff on the WWDC news, and this is what they reported today: “WWDC 2012 will allow developers to explore the latest innovations, features and capabilities of iOS and OS X Mountain Lion. Apple has promised that developers will learn how to greatly enhance the functionality, performance, quality and design of their apps.’” They go on to publish the crux of Apple’s press release:

“We have a great WWDC planned this year and can’t wait to share the latest news about iOS and OS X Mountain Lion with developers,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The iOS platform has created an entirely new industry with fantastic opportunities for developers across the country and around the world.”

At face value, this preview of WWDC 2012 is almost exactly like last year — Apple is slating the event to be all about software and operating systems, leading us to assume that iOS 6 beta won’t get its official release until then. Again, if you trust Apple PR, then there’s no reason to believe that there will be any new iOS device, alla the iPhone 5, being announced at the conference this year.

But I was curious: have ay of Apple’s press releases about past WWDC events suggested hardware announcements?

The cool thing about Apple Insider is that they do the exact same articles about the WWDC every year — they even use almost the same headlines and story lines. Usually, they do one like the ne we linked to today, one about who is doing the keynote, one about the banners that are hung at the Moscone Center prior to the launch of the conference, live coverage, and follow-up coverage. I decided to go back to their lead story about the announcement of the 2010 WWDC — the last conference to debut an iPhone — to see how Apple previewed that year’s event.

This is what Apple Insider reported back in their 2010 preview, entitled, “Apple’s annual WWDC to be held June 7-11 in San Francisco: “The five-day conference will include the first-ever iPad development sessions and hands-on working labs for iPhone OS 4, as well as Mac OS X core technology labs . . . WWDC 2010 gives an incredibly diverse community the opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow iPhone, iPad and Mac developers from around the world.” And this is the snippet from Apple’s press release that they quoted:

“This year’s WWDC offers developers in-depth sessions and hands-on working labs to learn more about iPhone OS 4, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system,” said Scott Forstall, Apple’s senior vice president of iPhone Software. “WWDC provides a unique opportunity for developers to work side-by-side with Apple engineers and interface designers to make their iPhone and iPad apps even better.”

As you can see, there is nothing in Apple’s press statement from 2010 that even hints at the iPhone 4. And yet, thanks to the lost iPhone 4 prototype and the fact that iOS 4 beta had already been exposed to developers, it was a foregone conclusion to the rumor mill that the iPhone 4 would debut. Because developers have still yet to be given a beta version of iOS 6, the assumption is that the iPhone 5 cannot be released at this year’s WWDC, assuming that a new iPhone can never debut without a new operating system.

Even though new iPad models never debut with new iOS.

Another interesting distinction between the 2012 and 2010 Apple press statement is who is quoted as giving them. In 2010, only the Senior Vice President of iPhone Software provided the official quote for the WWDC. This year, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller gave the quote. If ever a year there was to believe that the WWDC would have only been about software, it would have been 2010 — not 2012. To be sure, there is nothing about the 2012 WWDC announcement that would provide a rousing confirmation that the iPhone 5 will be released. At the same time, the rumor mill shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss the possibility. New iOS has always debut along with the iPhone — that’s been a convention. But up until last year, the iPhone had been announced at WWDC events. Last year Apple showed us what they think of conventional wisdom. And if iOS 5.1 is good enough for the iPad 3, it could very well be good enough for the iPhone 5, particularly if its defining features turn out to be hardware-based.

P.S. — Any theories on the symbolism — if any — surrounding the WWDC’s 2012 logo?

By Michael Nace

Once crowned “App of the Year,” Instagram has been a major draw for users to onboard to iOS devices. But with Facebook’s $1 billion acquisition of the company, as well as its launch onto the Android platform, Apple and Twitter Execs have turned their backs on ever-burgeoning photo-sharing social network.

Instagram has been the recipient of a lot of good stuff recently — tons of new subscribers, positive press, and plenty of money, thanks to Facebook’s $1 billion dolar acquisition of the start-up company. But not everyone in the mobile computing milieu is particularly pleased by the acquisition — or Instagram’s expansion into Android.

According to 9to5Mac, both Twitter founder Jack Dorsey and Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller deleted their personal Instagram photo sharing accounts in a very public manner, leveraging their semi-celebrity status in the technology sector to drive home a few pointed comments about Instagram’s recent business maneuvers. When a reader asked Schiller why he had deleted his Instagram account, he replied, “It ‘jumped the shark” when it went to Android.”

What’s Phil Schiller talking about?

Schiller is referring to the fact that Instagram is now running on Android. As you recall, Instagram achieved its success as an iOS app, and while it is a third-party app and was never owned or operated by Apple, Cupertino’s marketing department — largely spearheaded by Schiller — promoted the photo sharing app prominently, having been “featured several times in Apple’s App Store, even winning “app of the year” recognition. As marketing chief at Apple, seeing one of the platform’s most popular third-party pieces of software running on millions of Android phones is a disappointing sight.”

Dorsey’s public dissing of Instagram is borne of a different disappointment — Twitter was purportedly in the bidding mix for Instagram, but lost to Facebook. But his departure from Instagram is similar to that of Schiller’s in that “sour grapes” appear to be at the heart of their decisions to leave Instagram and levy criticisms.

To be sure, Cupertino is not used to losing at much of anything in business, and Twitter is clearly locked in a contested market share war with Facebook. But is Phil Schiller’s characterization of Instagram “jumping the shark” a fair criticism? Granted, Schiller or any other Apple executive would be hard-pressed to admit that Android-based apps are comparable to their iOS counterparts, but to say that Instagram “jumped the shark” denotes that the company has essentially reached its low point in doing so.

Yet, the vast majority of ultra-successful third-party apps run on both the iOS and Android platforms — it isn’t uncommon at all. And as both an iPhone and Android user, while I can safely say that iOS apps are typically much more feature-rich and reliable than Android versions, I don’t think that it precludes Instagram from penetrating the Android market. They are, after all, in business to make money for themselves — not for Apple.

Similarly, Dorsey’s sour grapes are equally questionable: I’m the first to label Facebook as the evil empire of social media. But was Instagram obliged to take a less favorable deal from Twitter in order to help them level the social networking playing field?

We, the consumers, benefit when companies like Apple, Google, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram play against one another aggressively in the marketplace. We end up with bolder, better products to purchase and use. But in my opinion, Schiller and Dorsey are being unsportsmanlike and petty here. In the grand scheme of things, their departure and public criticism of Instagram isn’t going to even ripple their steady rise in subscriptions. Maybe if Steve Jobs had done something like this, Apple enthusiasts would have followed suit — but I doubt Steve would have ever stooped low like this. Rather, I think that Mr. Jobs would have instead redoubled efforts to find the next big photo-based social networking experience that would someday make Instagram obsolete. It’s days like this when one only wishes Steve Jobs was still around.

By Michael Nace

A recent Apple job posting for a 3D technology expert is an intriguing, encouraging sign that some exciting, new technology could be in the works for future Apple devices. But for the iPhone 5, it seems less likely.

I happened across an interesting article this morning on 9to5Mac regarding a recent Apple job posting that is worth mentioning here on the blog. They explain that “[r]ecently, Apple has posted a new ‘Computer Vision specialist to strengthen its multi-view stereo research group.’ job opening on its careers website that hints towards the Cupertino-based company’s continued pursuit to integrate 3D technology — which hasn’t yet been done.” The job posting applies the title of “iOS Software Engineer” to its description, which appears to be searching for a lettered software-side programmer who has proven expertise in the disciplines associated with 3D.

9to5Mac’s Jake Smith remarks that “What’s interesting is that Apple is continuing to hire, with what looks to be serious credentials, to work on 3D technology,” which, along with a long list of 3D patents and rumors over the past year or so, lead one to believe that 3D display technology is bound to show up on a future iPhone in one way or another. Whether it will be 3D photo taking or otherwise some kind of 3D holographic user interface, no one really knows.

Smith points out that “Apple has yet to include in 3D technology into its products, however over on Android, both HTC and LG have included 3D cameras and passive 3D displays onto some of their handsets,” highlighting that indeed there are competing device out there in the Android sphere with 3D devices — a feature that Apple may want to garner in the future.

That being said, are we really set tp see major 3D technology on the iPhone 5?

I don’t think so. There are basically four rumor types in the iPhone 5 rumor mill: approved Apple patents, “inside” sources about production and components, purported leaked photos, and gaffes from stupid executives of companies partnered with Apple. To me, inside sources leaking information about production and the “stupid gaffes” are usually the most reliable and accurate rumors — they seem to have the highest rate of coming true. Leaked photos almost never pan out, and Apple patents — while markedly more revealing than leaked photos — usually serve as harbingers of what the more distant future may hold for Apple, rather than what is going to happen soon with a rumored device for the iPhone 5.

Given the fact that all we have to go on for 3D technology for the iPhone are patents and a job posting, it would seem that 3D might be a feature slated for a future iOS device, like the iPhone 6. Also, of the iPhone 5 production rumors we’ve heard about coming out of Asia, nothing has been mentioned about 3D displays. That doesn’t mean that Apple couldn’t be clandestinely manufacturing 3D displays for the iPhone 5, but for my part, I don’t think there is really much buzz about the iPhone being 3D. Like Smith says in his article, “I really don’t think we will see a 3D display or 3D camera on an iPhone anytime soon, as Apple would most likely rather stick with its stunning Retina display.” I think that’s spot on.

Still, it is promising that Apple is looking into 3D technology for a future feature. Something tells me that the efforts Cupertino is making to bolster its 3D R&D will yield more than just a cheesy 3D display effect, or the ability to take 3D photos that give a certain segment of the population a migraine. Maybe it will usher in a truly holographic user interface down the line that will serve to replace gesture control as we know it.

By Michael Nace

The ETSI has delayed a vote on adopting Apple’s new “nano sim” standard over concerns of Apple stacking the vote, and better design alternatives offered by Nokia. With Apple pushing hard to get this vote completed, could a delay affect the iPhone 5 release date?

Discussing and following the news about sim cards isn’t necessarily the “sexiest” topic of conversation when it comes to the iPhone 5 — most people want to opine on the next iPhone ‘s screen size, form factor, NFC, and a host of other exciting, new features. However, there is a new development worth following in the “nano sim” story that could potentially affect the iPhone 5 release date.

You will recall that we posted an article back on March 23rd about the prospect of Apple’s new nano sim patent, which would allow Cupertino developers to integrate a new sim that is only on third the size of current micro sim dimensions, thus freeing up critical space within the iPhone for a bigger battery and components, all while making the overall form factor thinner. we also reported at that time that the ETSI — a European commission that approves technology standards — would be voting on Apple’s new design, who essentially controls the sim standard. Needless to say, Apple’s competitors were not happy, seeing this move by Apple to “spring” a new nano sim design, perhaps on the eve of the iPhone 5 release as a coup to stymie their chances at competing against the next iPhone.

Interestingly, the ETSI vote, which was originally schedule for March 29th, was postponed.

Foss Patents explains why: “It appears that Nokia’s overt unwillingness to license its potentially essential patents in the event that Apple’s nano-SIM proposal is adopted and Sandisk’s resistance to Nokia’s proposal have resulted in an impasse. Sandisk, too, holds patents that may be essential to a new SIM card standard.” In a nutshell, even though Apple controls the sim standard, all of the world’s smartphone manufacturers have to agree to new standards together, since they all hold patents that create a kind of patchwork of technology rights that make sim designs universal.

Nokia is purportedly unwilling to tow the party line with Apple’s new design for two reasons: first, to block or delay any market advantage that changing the sim standard would afford Apple and its iPhone 5, and second, because Nokia claims to have a better nano sim design. Those who have compared Nokia and Apple’s competing patents claim that, while Apple’s new nano sim is indeed much smaller than current micro sim designs, the chassis that would hold the nano sim is actually larger than the current standard, thus making the overall implementation of Apple’s design more cumbersome than what Nokia’s design has to offer.

There was also a more political grievance at the ETSI that has concerned the smartphone designers community.

According to MacRumors, “Apple is also coming under fire from the other participants in the negotiations, with Research in Motion accusing Apple of hiding its efforts to stack the voting panel by having at least three of its employees re-register for voting purposes as representatives of various carriers.” This is still an unconfirmed claim by RIM, but if it proves to be true, then it would only further the belief that Apple is aggressively pursuing a rapid vote and implementation of their new nano sim in time for its release on the iPhone 5 — ostensibly in June.

It remains to be seen if Apple would gamble on beginning to produce an iPhone 5 now in anticipation of a June release date without the nano sim standard being approved by the ETSI. If they were to fail to win the vote, it could spell a production disaster for the iPhone 5. However, if they are forced to delay too long, it could indeed push production schedules and the release date back.

ETSI rules dictate that the vote will take place no more than 30 days after the delayed vote, so we should see a final vote on the technology by month’s end.

By Michael Nace

As the iPhone 5 release approaches, a new Neilsen survey finds that iPhone usage in the U.S. is now only 5% behind the entire Android army of smartphones. 

Apple detractors have often remarked that Apple’s bark is bigger than its bite; that the buzz surrounding the iPhone is much bigger than those who actually own an iPhone. Kind of like a controversial book that everyone talks about, but few actually read.

Of course, that supposition is clearly wrong: Apple has gone on to become the richest, most successful business in the world, and they’ve been on a winning streak for quite some time now. A new Neilsen survey, however, is now quantifying this sense, revealing that the singular iPhone and its various iterations are nearly even with all of Androidom in the United States.

According to Apple Insider: “sales of Apple’s iPhone accounted for 43 percent of all new smartphone purchases over the past three months, a 6 percent increase from the period ending in December, while Android’s share fell nearly 4 percent to cover 48 percent of activations.” That is an astounding reversal of market share.

Neilsen’s other study finds that, over the past three months, Apple has significantly cut into RIM’s market share: while Android has remained steady, Apple’s market share has bumped up, while RIM has fallen sharply (see the infographic above).

I have commented on this blog several times about how odd it is that we compare the iPhone to Android, as it is really an “apples to oranges” comparison (no pun intended). How could it ever be fair to compare one device’s sales and popularity to an entire horde of competing devices? If anything, the iPhone should only be held against it most obvious singular Android competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy S series.

And yet, we now see that, in spite of just one iPhone release a year, Apple has managed to pull nearly even with Google’s army of Androids. Their plan was clearly to expand and conquer, by giving manufacturers the Android OS as a means of always staying ahead of Apple in features and innovation. But what the Android partners have failed to do is come even remotely close to the quality, reliability, and buzz that the iPhone franchise enjoys.

It is worth noting, however, that Google still makes a fair share of money from the iPhone, and in this way, it is invested in its success, hedging its loss in market share. Jonny Evans at Computerworld explains: “Based on data provided by Google as part of a settlement offer with Oracle, The Guardian asserts that Android devices generated less than $550m in revenues between 2008 and the end of 2011, but, tellingly, its deal with Apple generated four times as much cash,” thanks to iOS’ use of Maps and Google Search.

This may be yet another reason why I think Apple is quickly and effectively getting into the search business with Siri: don’t be surprised if over the next few years they look to roll out an alternative to Google Search, as well as Google monetizing products, such as AdWords.

In the meantime, Google will continue to make money on both ends of the smartphone spectrum, as the iPhone edges ever closer to eclipsing Android.

By Michael Nace