Posts in April 10, 2014

Apple may be preparing to feature its Touch ID fingerprint sensor on updated models of the iPad Air and Retina iPad mini that will be released later this year, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo states in a new research note.

We think the upgraded iPad Air will be launched earlier in 2014 than the iPad Air was in 2013. The biggest changes will be A8 processor, Touch ID (fingerprint recognition), and main camera resolution of 8MP.

...We previously thought Apple would not release a new version of the iPad mini this year, but we now think Apple will launch an upgraded version with same form factor, A8 processor and Touch ID (fingerprint recognition) to boost shipments of iPad mini with Retina display.

Regarding the next-generation iPad Air, Kuo adds that the tablet will launch at an earlier point than the original iPad Air did in November of last year. Kuo also notes that Apple is likely to cut the price of the existing Retina iPad mini, and that the newer model will feature the same form factor with an upgraded processor and Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

The researcher also once again speaks on the possibility of the long-rumored 12.9-inch iPad, stating that Apple is actively working on the device and gearing it towards uses in entertainment and productivity. However, Kuo notes that the product is unlikely to come out in 2014, falling in line with what he stated in his previous reports from this past February and last October.


Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• U.S. Mac Sales Fall in Winter Quarter, Global PC Market Sees Continued Sales Falloff
• Apple Seeds OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 Build 13D38 to Developers
• 'PayPal Here' for iOS Updated with Revamped User Interface, Dynamic Search
• Apple Bringing More Chip Development In House
• American Express Offers $5 off a $5 iTunes/App Store Purchase
• Intel Expands Thunderbolt Networking with PC Support for Ultra-Fast Connections
• LaCie Unveils Three New Thunderbolt 2 Storage Solutions for 4K Video Editing
• Apple Expands iPhone Trade-In Program to Germany







-- For more information read the original article here.

News from Wednesday afternoon includes: Facebook has announced via emailed notifications in Europe that it will soon drop messaging in its main app. Users must download the separate Facebook Messenger app to keep the conversations going on iOS and... -- For more information read the original article here.

About 40 percent of people planning to buy a smartphone in the next three months would be predisposed to buying an next-generation iPhone, according to a March ChangeWave survey. The group polled 4,109 people, and found that 26 percent said they were "somewhat likely" to buy an updated iPhone, while 14 percent were "very likely." ChangeWave says this is the highest demand for an unannounced iPhone it has ever seen....






-- For more information read the original article here.

T-Mobile US, which has been shaking up the cellular industry in the United States with a series of promotions and policy changes, today made several announcements intended to attract tablet customers to the carrier. There are two key pieces to the initiative:

- LTE tablets for the price of Wi-Fi: Under Apple's standard pricing, LTE iPad models are priced $130 higher than their Wi-Fi equivalents, but T-Mobile's limited time promotion will allow customers to purchase an LTE iPad from the carrier at Wi-Fi pricing.

If you're stuck on Wi-Fi, you can now come to T-Mobile and upgrade to a 4G LTE-enabled model for nothing down and pay no more than you'd pay for the cheaper Wi-Fi-only model, with any postpaid activation on a 1GB or more mobile internet plan with no annual service contract. For example, pay the Wi-Fi price of $499 instead of $630 for the 4G LTE-enabled 16GB iPad Air.

24-month interest-free financing with zero money down is also available for qualified customers.


- Bonus 1GB of free data per month through 2014: T-Mobile already offers a free 200 MB data package for tablet owners, and with today's announcement, T-Mobile voice customers can receive an additional 1 GB of free data per month through the end of the year.

And, for both new and existing customers, T-Mobile is offering $10 off its most popular internet data plans starting April 12th through the end of 2014. For voice customers, what that means is you can get up to 1GB of 4G LTE data free every month through the end of the year. Combined with the 200 MB of free data you already automatically get every month with T-Mobile's previously announced “Free Data for Life” offer that comes to nearly 1.2GB of free 4G LTE data every month through the end of 2014. If you love living beyond the Wi-Fi zone – and want to keep enjoying that tablet freedom beyond 2014 – you can get it starting at just $10 a month with voice service next year.

T-Mobile also continues to offer its ETF buyouts, allowing customers stuck on service contracts with another carrier to trade-in their devices and receive credits for the termination fees paid to the other carrier.


Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• 'Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff' Launches for iPhone and iPad
• Delivery Status Touch Updated with Revamped Background Notifications, Various Bug Fixes
• U.S. Mac Sales Fall in Winter Quarter, Global PC Market Sees Continued Sales Falloff
• Apple Seeds OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 Build 13D38 to Developers
• 'PayPal Here' for iOS Updated with Revamped User Interface, Dynamic Search
• Apple Bringing More Chip Development In House
• American Express Offers $5 off a $5 iTunes/App Store Purchase
• Intel Expands Thunderbolt Networking with PC Support for Ultra-Fast Connections







-- For more information read the original article here.