Apple : Apple unconcerned by Kindle Fire, says analyst

Apple unconcerned by Kindle Fire, says analyst
Apple to have a massive product refresh in 2012?
Apple announces iOS 5 update to combat iPhone battery issues
Google quickly pulls official Gmail for iOS app

Apple unconcerned by Kindle Fire, says analyst

Posted:

Apple CEO Tim Cook believes the forthcoming Amazon Kindle Fire tablet does not pose a serious threat to the iPad, according to an analyst who recently met with him.

Ben Reitzes of Barclay's Capital, claims that both Cook and Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer aren't worried, despite the $199 Android tablet costing less than half of the cheapest iPad.

In a recent meeting Reitzes says the Apple pair made it clear that they believe the Fire will simply cause more Android fragmentation, which could drive buyers into the stable arms of iOS devices.

Could fuel further fragmentation

"While the pricing at $199 looks disruptive for what seems to be the iPad's most important rising challenge, the Amazon Fire - it is important to note that it could fuel further fragmentation in the tablet market - given it represents yet another platform," said Reitzes.

"While compatible with Android, the Apps work with Amazon products

"The more fragmentation, the better, says Apple, since that could drive more consumers to the stable Apple platform."

The Android platform has been heavily criticised in the past for the number of different versions and user-interfaces floating around on its various devices.

Apple's iOS devices all use the same iOS 5 software which brings a unified experience for users, and it appears Cupertino big wigs are banking on that to stave off Amazon's low-cost challenger.

The Kindle Fire will launch in the United States on November 15th, but the company has not yet indicated when the device will arrive in the UK.

Apple to have a massive product refresh in 2012?

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Apple is planning to overhaul its entire product line in 2012, meaning that it's more than likely it will be the year we will see the iPad 3 and the iPhone 5.

According to Digitimes – which has a very wobbly track record when it comes to predicting all things Apple – order volumes are being finalised as you read this and key parts for the new iPad are also being ordered.

The refresh is said to be a significant one so we are likely to see massive changes to the products, rather than minor tweaks.

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iPad prototype

Interestingly there seems to be two separate iPad prototypes in development, with the codenames J1 and J2.

What could the J mean? A nice tribute to Jobs, perhaps?

While production of an iPad 3 looks likely to happen before the year is out, Digitimes reckons that manufacturing of a new iPhone and iMac range won't begin until the middle of 2012.

Possible

Apple announces iOS 5 update to combat iPhone battery issues

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Apple will release a software update, which it claims will offer a solution for iPhone users who've been troubled by a dramatic drop-off in battery life.

In a short statement released to All Things D, Apple says that it has found a few bugs, which will be remedied by a new version of iOS 5 to be released within a few weeks.

The statement reads: "A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices.

"We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks."

Better dictation for Aussies

The company declined to add to the statement, but AppleInsider says that iOS 5.0.1 Beta has already been released to the developer community and "contains improvements and other bug fixes".

The update "fixes bugs affecting battery life, adds Multitasking Gestures for original iPad, resolves bugs with Documents in the Cloud, improves voice recognition for Australian users using dictation, contains security improvements, iOS 5.0.1 beta introduces a new way for developers to specify files that should remain on device, even in low storage situations."

While, those updates will prove useful to many iPhone users (especially the Aussies that confuse Siri), it is surely the battery drain update that is most pressing.

Many users have reported a dramatically shorter use time, with stand-by battery life falling way below Apple's advertised 200 hours.

The main culprit for the issue is thought to be the "Setting Time Zone" functionality in iOS 5, which has been active for users even when they're firmly rooted in their own territory.

Hopefully iOS 5.0.1 will be go public shortly and the issue can be put to bed.

Google quickly pulls official Gmail for iOS app

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Google has removed its official Gmail for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch app, just hours after launch, following a huge backlash from disappointed users.

The long-awaited app arrived on Wednesday afternoon and was greeted with howls of derision from iOS device owners claiming the app was buggy and unusable.

Google responded by pulling the app from the App Store, promising to restore it as soon as it fixed the bugs.

"Unfortunately, it contained a bug which broke notifications and caused users to see an error message when first opening the app," the company said.

"We've removed the app while we correct the problem, and we're working to bring you a new version soon. Everyone who's already installed the app can continue to use it."

Overhaul

Those who have already downloaded the app will continued to be able to use it, but for now there's no new downloads until Google fixes it. Perhaps a top to bottom overhaul would do the trick?

The official Gmail for iOS app had promised to bring push notifications, auto-completion of email addresses, efficient search and Priority Inbox to Apple's iOS devices.

Those features are all there, but the ability to use them is conspicuous by its absence.

Yahuui Blog

Thursday, November 3, 2011