ipodsets: September 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

ABI Research: Android is Now Leading the Tablet Market

ABI Research reports that Apple's iPad has 'passed the baton' to the Android ecosystem. According to the report, during the second quarter of 2013, Android tablets sold surpassed iOS tablets sold, revenues reached parity, and the average selling price of the iPad dropped closer to market average.

Overall shipments in the quarter dropped 17% sequentially while growing 23% year-over-year for the same quarterly period. “Smaller 7-inch class tablets are finally the majority of shipments,” says senior practice director Jeff Orr. “The 7.9-inch iPad mini represented about 60% of total iPad shipments and 49% of iPad-related device revenues in the quarter.” Tablet shipments in the second quarter of 2013 achieved revenues of $12.7 billion. For the first time, iPad represented only 50% of worldwide end-user revenues. Apple split the market with all other branded vendors at $6.3 billion in the quarter.

Notably, the average selling price of the iPad dropped 17% while the average selling price of other tablets increased 17% in the past year. This is due to the introduction of the smaller and cheaper iPad mini.

“Twelve months is a long time for the peak lifecycle of a contemporary tablet. To remain a leader, Apple must continue to innovate and address real-world market needs,” adds Orr.

Apple is widely expected to release a new iPad 5 in October; however, it's unclear if the company will launch a new Retina Display iPad mini at the same time.

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Tim Cook Announces Extended Thanksgiving Holiday With Pay for Apple Employees

Apple CEO Tim Cook has written an email to employees thanking them for their hard work and announcing an extended Thanksgiving holiday with pay.

Retail, AppleCare, and a few other teams that must remain open will still get the same number of days off at an alternate time.

Cook made a similar announcement last year. You can read his full email below.

Read More

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Team-

It’s been an exciting summer. For the first time, we’ve launched two new iPhone product lines. iOS 7 was created from a deep collaboration between our design and engineering teams, bringing to our customers a stunning new user interface and amazing new features. We unveiled OS X Mavericks and the most powerful Mac ever. The App Store celebrated a new milestone — 50 billion downloads. And we continued to express our love for music with iTunes Radio and the iTunes Festival.

I had the opportunity to visit a few of our stores during the iPhone launch. There is no better place to see and feel why Apple is special. The best products on Earth. Energy. Enthusiasm. The best customers in the world. Passionate team members focused on enriching people’s lives. Innovative products that serve humanity’s deepest values and highest aspirations.

And I am proud to tell you that Apple is also a force for good in our world beyond our products. Whether it’s improving working conditions or the environment, standing up for human rights, helping eliminate AIDS, or reinventing education, Apple is making a substantial contribution to society.

None of this would have been possible without you. Our most important resource is not our money, our intellectual property, or any capital asset. Our most important resource — our soul — is our people.

I realize many of you worked tirelessly to bring us this far. I know it required great personal sacrifice.

In recognition of your incredible efforts and achievements, I’m happy to announce that we’re extending the Thanksgiving holiday this year. We will shut down with pay on November 25, 26, and 27 so our teams can have the whole week off. Retail, AppleCare and a few other teams will need to work that week so we can continue to serve our customers, but will receive the same number of days off at an alternate time. Please check with your manager for details. Our international teams will schedule the vacation days at a time that is best suited for their specific country.

I hope you find the extra time restful and relaxing. You deserve it. Details will be available on AppleWeb soon.

I am exceedingly proud of all of you. I am in awe of what you’ve accomplished and couldn’t be more excited about the future. Enjoy the time away!

Best,
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In-store pickup for iPhone 5s returns to Apple’s online store, availability limited

As we reported on Friday, the in-store pickup which appeared briefly on Wednesday last week has returned to Apple’s online store. The option allows customers to purchase a phone online and collect in a store. However, supplies remain extremely constrained with many stores already reporting that devices are “unavailable for pickup”, including Fifth Avenue.

With online orders reporting dispatch estimates of October, the in-store pickup option may prove lucrative for people still looking to get their hands on Apple’s flagship phone. It is currently unknown how often in-store pickup stock will be replenished.

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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Apple knocks Coca-Cola off its 13 year reign as world’s most valuable brand

The New York Times reports that Apple has knocked off Coca-Cola (Sugar water!) to become the ‘World’s Most Valuable Brand’ according to the annual Interbrand Best Global Brands Report.

Apple’s arrival in the top spot was perhaps “a matter of time,” Jez Frampton, global chief executive at Interbrand, said in a recent interview. Apple was No. 2 last year, climbing from No. 8 in the 2011 report. “What is it they say, ‘Long live the king’?” Mr. Frampton asked. “This year, the king is Apple.”

The 2013 report begins: “Every so often, a company changes our lives, not just with its products, but with its ethos. This is why, following Coca-Cola’s 13-year run at the top of Best Global Brands, Interbrand has a new No. 1 — Apple.” The report estimates the value of the Apple brand at $98.3 billion, up 28 percent from the 2012 report.

Apple’s rivals Google and Samsung also moved up in the list with Mountain View also hopping over Coca-Cola to #2 at a $93.3B (up 34%) valuation while Samsung entered the top 10 with a new brand strategy called the Brand Ideal, which includes “a greater focus on social purpose”. Microsoft, who just lost a CEO, was flat.

Perhaps a sign of the times, Apple—a company that has changed our lives, not just with its products but also with its ethos—has risen to the top of our Best Global Brands list, giving us a new number one for the first time in 14 years. As legions of fans can attest, few brands have enabled so many people to do so much so easily. With a reputation for revolutionizing the way we work, play and communicate, Apple has set a high bar for aesthetics, simplicity, and ease of use that all other brands are now expected to match. Apple’s ability to “think different” and deeply consider the customer experience is what makes the brand a leader—one that has inspired a loyal following and has the whole world anticipating its next big move. Brands, as Apple exemplifies so well, are business strategy brought to life.

Technology brands in top 100 (#4 IBM is no longer Technology but business services).

Rank Brand Name Brand Value ($m) Change in Brand Value
1 Apple 98,316 28%
2 Google 93,291 34%
5 Microsoft 59,546 3%
8 Samsung 39,610 20%
9 Intel 37,257 -5%
13 Cisco 29,053 7%
15 HP 25,843 -1%
18 Oracle 24,088 9%
25 SAP 16,676 7%
52 Facebook 7,732 43%
61 Dell 6,845 -10%
79 Adobe 4,899 8%

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- Posted using my iPhone 5

Staples begins selling the iPad (and iPods) through its US online store

As per Mark’s scoop last week, Staples has indeed begun selling the iPad and is offering the full line with 5% back in Staples gift cards. Staples now also carries every iPod model including the iPod touch, Classic, Nano and shuffle. You can now order the iPad from its online stores (which will begin shipping next week), and if online sales go well, through its physical retail stores early next year. Staples will also begin putting up iPad kiosks in its stores next week.

You’ll recall from our iPad Product Page, we’d probably recommend holding off the purchase of any iPad because Apple will likely update its line in October. However, those companies with Staples purchasing accounts will now be able to scoop up an iPad on the corporate account.

Staples began carrying Apple products in the US earlier this year and would seem to be doing well at it as evidenced by the expanding line of products.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Leaked Video Allegedly Depicts 'Space Gray' iPad 5 and Retina iPad Mini Shells

Sw-box has posted two videos which allegedly show the rear shells for the iPad 5 and Retina Display iPad mini 2.

It compares the dimensions and the weight of iPad 5 with that of iPad 4's. The 239.20mm(H) x 169.5(W) x 7.2(D) new iPad proves to be slimmer, smaller and thinner than the 4th generation iPad. Comparisons are also made between specific features of the two Apple devices in question. It reveals their differences in speakers, volume buttons, the extra microphone hole, logos and holding feels. With the comparison, iPad 5 is likely similar to iPad Mini in appearance except size and the extra microphone hole.

These dimensions are close to the 240mm x 169.48mm x 7.5mm ones found in schematics being used by case manufacturers.

iPhone 5c Sales Are Starting to Catch Up to iPhone 5s Sales

A new report from Localytics finds that San Francisco has the strongest preference for the iPhone 5s over the iPhone 5c and that the gap between iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c sales is starting to narrow.

After close to one week of sales, we found that, overall, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco held the largest market share in the U.S. for iPhone 5s and 5c activations. This is to be expected given the size of their populations. However the real surprise was that San Francisco came in third. Considering San Francisco is actually the 11th largest market in the U.S., its status as a technology haven also, clearly, translates to a culture of early adoption.

We then looked at the distribution of the iPhone 5s and 5c for each of the cities. Again, San Francisco stood out, showing the strongest preference for the 5s over the 5c (85% vs. 15%) among the top 12 major U.S. cities. Philadelphia showed the lowest preference with 72%.

Notably, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c devices represented 1.4% of all active iPhones in the U.S. on September 22nd. By September 26th, this had risen to 2.0%. While the iPhone 5s maintains its lead over the iPhone 5c the gap is narrowing slightly. On September 22nd, the iPhone 5s was outpacing the iPhone 5c by 3.4x. That decreased to 2.9x by September 26th.

AT&T saw the highest adoption rates with the new devices accounting for 1.02% of the iPhones on its network by September 26th. Verizon was next with .70%, Sprint reached 0.18%, and T-Mobile was in last with 0.12%.

Take a look at the charts below.

Leaving Your Laptop Always Plugged In Will Kill Its Battery Faster

Leaving your laptop always plugged in will kill its battery life faster, according to a recent report from Wired. In fact, you shouldn't even let it charge to 100%.

Cadex Electronics CEO Isidor Buchmann tells the site that ideally users would charge their laptops to 80% and then drain them to 40%, prolonging their battery life by up to 4x.

The reason is that each cell in a lithium-polymer battery is charged to a voltage level. The higher the charge percentage, the higher the voltage level. The more voltage a cell has to store, the more stress it’s put under. That stress leads to fewer discharge cycles. For example, Battery University states that a battery charged to 100 percent will have only 300-500 discharge cycles, while a battery charged to 70 percent will get 1,200-2,000 discharge cycles.

This is simple in theory but much harder in practice. The report suggests timing how long it takes your device to charge from 40% to 80% and then setting a timer when you first plug your laptop in to charge.

If you can remember to follow Buchmann's advice, a four times increase in battery life is a significant improvement.

Delta to Equip Pilots With the Microsoft Surface 2 Tablet

Delta Airlines has decided to equip its pilots with the Microsoft Surface 2 tablet; rather than the iPad or the Nokia 'Sirius' tablet, reports WindowsITPro.

"In less than two years, Delta cockpits will be paperless as we roll-out the Microsoft Surface 2 tablet running Windows 8.1 RT as our company-issued device," the airline alerted its employees recently. "The 757/767 fleet will be the first to make the transition with the 777, 747 and MD88 as fast followers. Look for an announcement from Delta and Microsoft in the coming days about our partnership on the initiative."

Notably, pilots can currently bring their own iPads for use on flights; however, that could also be changing. Delta reportedly wants "current iPad Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) users to transition to a company-issued device."

Microsoft just announced the Surface 2 tablet.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Apple Hires Nike Design Director Ben Shaffer

Apple has hired Ben Shaffer who was the Studio Director of the Innovation Kitchen at Nike, reports 9to5Mac. The Nike Innovation Kitchen has produced such products as the Fuel Band and the Flyknit shoe.

With Apple’s continued development of its own wearable watch-like device, Shaffer’s experience in working on the wearables with Nike will be critical. The Nike Fuel Band is a popular product amongst Apple executives, including Apple CEO (and Nike Board member) Tim Cook and former Hardware lead Bob Mansfield. Based on Apple’s experience and usage of the Fuel Band product, it seems like that Apple’s own wearable computer will have similar fitness-tracking abilities.

This isn't the first Nike related hire for Apple. It recently hired Jay Blahnik, a well respected fitness expert and consultant, who worked closely with Nike to help launch Nike+ Running and who was a key expert and consultant for Nike+ FuelBand and Nike+ Kinect Training.

It's believed that Apple is working on an iWatch that would connect to the iPhone and that could be used to track fitness levels. Apple is said to have already 100 designers working on the device and have filed for 'iWatch' trademarks in select countries.

Notably, Apple introduced a new M7 motion coprocessor in the iPhone 5s that gathers data from the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass which allows for enhanced fitness and activity apps.

Nike has confirmed that Shaffer is no longer at the company.

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- Posted using my iPhone 5

FAA Advisory Committee Recommends Relaxing Restrictions on Electronic Devices

A FAA Advisory Committee has recommended that regulators relax restrictions on using electronic devices during flight takeoffs and landings, according to the Associated Press.

The 28-member FAA advisory committee voted to recommend the change during a closed-door meeting Thursday, said industry officials familiar with the deliberations. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the government asked them not to talk publicly about their deliberations.

The recommendations will be sent to the Federal Aviation Administration on Monday. Even if they are implemented, you will not be able to make phone calls or surf the web. Rather, the relaxed restrictions would allow you to use your device in AirPlane mode. ie. listen to offline music, watch locally stored video, play most games, read downloaded books, emails, and messages, etc.

"These devices are not dangerous. Your Kindle isn't dangerous. Your iPad that is on airplane mode is perfectly safe," said Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. Airlines and technology companies such as Amazon have been trying to convince the FAA to relax restrictions for years. Senator McCaskill is now warning FAA officials that if they don't "act swiftly" to implement the recommendations, she will introduce legislation to force them to do so.

Airlines have already received approval from the FAA to use the iPad in the cockpit and as in-flight entertainment devices. Last year, American Airlines received approval to use the iPad in all phases of flight, replacing much of the pilot's flight bag. Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it will deploy 1,500 iPad minis for inflight entertainment on its Boeing 767-300 aircraft beginning September 1st.

Apple Ranked Most Innovative Company by BCG for Ninth Consecutive Year

Apple has been ranked the most innovative company by BCG for the ninth consecutive year.

The Boston Consulting Group looks at data collected from over 1,500 senior executives who provided information on their own innovation plans as well as their opinions of other companies' innovation track records. The 2013 results reveal the 50 companies that executives rank as the most innovative, weighted to incorporate relative three-year shareholder returns, revenue growth, and margin growth.

Despite its recent stock-market travails, Apple retains the number-one ranking for the ninth consecutive year. Samsung pushed past Google for the number-two position, and Microsoft remains at number four. Joining Toyota in the top ten are two additional automakers—Ford and BMW. The auto industry makes an exceedingly strong showing overall—3 companies in the top 10 and 9 in the top 20. Four car makers are new to the list, and Volkswagen and General Motors are two of the biggest gainers, moving up 31 and 16 places, respectively. For the first time since we began this survey, there are more auto companies than consumer companies in the top 50 and more automakers than technology companies in the top 20.

Take a look at the chart below..

Leaked Schematics for the iPad 5?

Alleged schematics have surfaced online which reveal the width and thickness of the iPad 5 will be significantly reduced.

The documents were provided to AppleInsider and are being used by case and cover manufacturers to create products ahead of the device's officially unveiling.

The image suggests the next iPad will measure exactly 169.48 millimeters wide, shaving more than 15 millimeters off the width of the fourth-generation iPad. The document also shows that the height of the device has been slightly reduced, from 241.3 millimeters in the current model to 240 millimeters in the alleged next-generation version.Thickness of the next iPad is also expected to be reduced, going from 9.55 millimeters to 7.5 millimeters, the document claims.

Notably, the iPad 5 is also expected to be lighter. Sonny Dickson recently leaked photos of the tablet in space gray and silver. It's thought Apple will unveil the device sometime in October.

Leaked Photos of Gold iPad Mini 2 With Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor?

Photos have leaked online allegedly depicting the gold iPad mini 2 with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

The photos were posted on zol.com.cn and first spotted by Nowhereelse.

It's difficult to confirm whether these are authentic photos; however, Sonny Dickson, who has a very good track record, leaked 'space gray' and silver versions of the iPad 5 just recently.

Take a look below. What do you think?

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Apple Has Raised Over $65 Million to Fight AIDS via (RED)

Apple has raised over $65 million to fight AIDS via its (PRODUCT) RED offerings, according to U2's Bono.

The official (RED) Twitter account tweeted the following earlier today:

Bono at #CGI2013 on @RED partners: "Apple is certainly leading the crew" Thank you Apple for raising over $65 million to fight AIDS.

Apple reportedly donates 50% of its profits from the (PRODUCT) RED 5th generation iPod touch to the charity as well as profits from various other RED items.

Netflix Announces Super HD is Now Available to All Members, Apple TV Supported

Netflix has announced that all members now have access to their highest quality 'Super HD' video streams. Super HD applies less compression to 1080p video making the picture look better on HD screens with a higher bit rate stream.

We initially rolled out Super HD in January only through ISPs with a direct connection to Netflix. Based on the performance data we’ve seen, and in response to member requests, we are now expanding availability to give all our members the ability to enjoy Netflix in the best possible quality.

Netflix uses “adaptive streaming” to dynamically adjust the video quality based on the available bandwidth. This means that the ability to receive Super HD depends on broadband quality and performance. Netflix members who subscribe to an ISP with a direct Netflix connection will get the best experience. Find out more about ISP performance by consulting the Netflix ISP Speed Index.

Devices compatible with Super HD include the:
● Sony PlayStation 3
● Apple TV with 1080p
● Roku with 1080p*
● Nintendo Wii U
● Windows 8 App
● TiVo Premiere DVR
● more

Super HD requires an Internet connection speed of at least 5Mb/s, and 7Mb/s for the highest available video quality.

Apple Releases iOS 7.0.2 to Fix Lock Screen Bugs

Apple has just released iOS 7.0.2 to fix bugs that could allow someone to bypass the Lock screen passcode.

What's New In This Version:
● Fixes bugs that could allow someone to bypass the Lock screen passcode
● Reintroduces a Greek keyboard option for passcode entry

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

You can see the lockscreen bug demonstrated here.

Where to Download iOS 7.0.2:
● iPhone iOS 7.0.2 Firmware Download Links
● iPad iOS 7.0.2 Firmware Download Links
● iPod Touch iOS 7.0.2 Firmware Download Links

To be the first to know of any additional improvements to iOS 7
You can now download the new Limerain App and follow Limerain on the go. Also follow Limerain on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS to be notified of any updates.

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And like our Facebook page www.iPodSets.com
- Posted using my iPhone 5

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Apple Announces iOS 7 Tech Talks in San Francisco, New York, Toyko, Shanghai, Berlin, London

Apple has just announced iOS 7 Tech Talks in San Francisco, New York, Toyko, Shanghai, Berlin, and London.

Get in-depth guidance about developing for iOS 7, learn practical coding tips and tricks, and obtain valuable one-on-one programming and design assistance in our lab. Choose which day is best for you — app developer day or game developer day. Apply now.

App Developer Day:
Reimagine your apps on iOS 7 and take advantage of the new multitasking APIs, dynamic motion, iBeacon, and much more.

● San Francisco: Tuesday Oct 8
● New York: Tuesday Oct 15
● Tokyo: Wednesday Nov 6
● Shanghai: Tuesday Nov 12
● Berlin: Thursday Dec 12
● London: Tuesday Dec 17

Game Developer Day:
● San Francisco: Wednesday Oct 9
● New York: Wednesday Oct 16
● Tokyo: Thursday Nov 7
● Shanghai: Wednesday Nov 13
● Berlin: Friday Dec 13
● London: Wednesday Dec 18

To apply, you must be an iOS Developer Program member or iOS Developer Enterprise Program member, 13 years of age or older, as of the announcement of the iOS 7 Tech Talks (10 AM PDT, September 25, 2013). Attendees will be randomly selected from qualified applicants. There will be two events per city, one devoted to app developers and the other focusing on game developers. You’ll choose to attend either the app developer day or the game developer day. You may only apply for one day at the iOS 7 Tech Talks.

Samsung Announces Two Gold Galaxy S4 Editions Following the Success of the Gold iPhone 5s

Samsung has announced two gold Galaxy S4 smartphone editions following the success of the iPhone 5s in gold.

SamsungMobileArabia tweeted:

Introducing the new #GalaxyS4 Gold Edition - for a style that's uniquely yours! pic.twitter.com/XkFu4zceHT

Samsung Gulf also posted to Facebook saying:

Have you seen the new elegant #GalaxyS4 new #GoldEdition colors? Gold Brown or Gold Pink — with BuJoyee Fabiano Dilla.

It's unclear whether these new colors will only be available in the Middle East or whether they will make it to North America as well.

Check them out below...

New 'Upgrade Kits' Make Your iPhone 5 Look Like an iPhone 5s

MobileFun is offering 'upgrade kits' that make your iPhone 5 look like an iPhone 5s.

Made from high quality vinyl, these skins are manufactured to replicate the iPhone 5S' styling. The iPhone 5S upgrade skin for the iPhone 5 includes a metallic effect home button surrounding mimicking the new Touch ID home button on the new iPhone 5S.

Unrivaled precision for an accurate fit
Measured and cut to perfection, these vinyl skins provide the most accurate fit on the market. Complementing the contours and design of the iPhone 5.

Compatible for use with cases
Measuring no more than 1mm thick, these vinyl decals are so thin that it does not interfere with the use of a protective case for your iPhone 5.

Access to all ports and features
Specially designed cutouts allow full access for all your iPhone's ports and features. This includes the camera, flash, volume controls and the charging port.

The skins can be purchased for $23.49 from this link below in gold, space gray, and silver.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Leaked Photos of the Space Gray and Silver iPad 5

Sonny Dickson has leaked photos of the upcoming 'space gray' and silver iPad 5.

As expected, the photos show a device with narrower side bezels, similar to the iPad mini. Dickson says even more photos will be posted tomorrow.

Take a look below at the images.

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