Apple : Apple reveals iPad numbers: 100 million sold

Apple reveals iPad numbers: 100 million sold
Apple's iPad mini officially announced
Apple breaks out 4th generation iPad
Apple introduces all-new, super thin iMac
Refreshed Mac minis debut at Apple event
Apple unveils 13-inch Retina display MacBook Pro
200 million devices already upgraded to iOS 6, Tim Cook says
Has Apple's 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro popped up on Google early?
Updated: Apple to livestream iPad mini event
Lightning connector photo leaks point to possible iPad refresh
Samsung Display cuts Apple ties, rebounds with competitors

Apple reveals iPad numbers: 100 million sold

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Apple's special press conference on Tuesday morning may have focused on the iPad Mini, but before introducing the new device Apple revealed some interesting statistics about the iPad.

Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage to talk about the iPad, saying, "It seems like each time we get together there's a new number to illustrate the growth of this product."

Cook revealed that in the two and a half years since the iPad was introduced, 100 million of the Apple tablets have been sold, and the iPad now accounts for 91 percent of web traffic on tablets.

Tooting his own horn

Cook seemed quite impressed with the iPad's sales.

"That's unprecedented for a new product in a new category," he said.

"We sold more iPads in the June quarter than any PC maker sold of their entire lineup."

"It turns out there's a simple reason for this," Cook continued. "People love their iPads."

He cited some of the ways in which the iPad has been used, including in professional and educational, settings, saying, "We couldn't be more thrilled with how quickly iPad has been embraced by so many users for so many different things."

The future of the iPad

So what's next for the iPad?

"What else can we do to help customers find even more users for iPad, to use them in places they've never imagined?" asked Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller.

Schiller took the stage from Cook to introduce the fourth-generation iPad and iPad Mini, the product everyone had been waiting for.

"Others have tried to make tablets smaller than the iPad and they've failed miserably," Schiller claimed. Presumably, Apple will succeed where its competitors have failed.

If the iPad's current streak is anything to go by, there may be some truth to that statement.

Apple's iPad mini officially announced

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Shocking approximately nobody, Apple has announced its smaller iPad now officially known as the iPad mini.

Sporting a new design, the iPad mini is just 7.2mm think, a quarter of the new iPad, and weighs just 308g, and the big news it that it packs a 7.9-inch, 1,024 x 768 screen - the same resolution as the iPad 2.

Apple were keen to stress that the iPad mini has a 35 percent larger display over the top Android tablet (Nexus 7), and allows users to see 49 percent more web content on screen.

The screen's resolution also means that the 275,000 iPad-specific apps will run seamlessly on the iPad Mini.

'Every inch an iPad'

Inside you get a dual-core A5 processor, HD FaceTime camera, 5MP rear-facing iSight camera with 1080p video recording, 4G LTE support, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Lightning dock connector and 10 hours of battery life.

Price wise, the iPad mini kicks off at 16GB with WiFi, priced at $US329/£269/AUD$369.

iPad mini pre-orders open this Friday, Oct. 26, and the iPad mini release date is set for Nov. 2 for the Wi-Fi only versions. The 4G cellular models will arrive around two weeks later, first in the U.S. then around the world.

The launch event is continuing as we speak – more as we get it, and stay tuned for our first impressions in our hands on iPad mini review.

Apple breaks out 4th generation iPad

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Alongside an announcement that surprised no one (see iPad mini), Apple also threw the tech world for a loop by busting out a fourth-generation iPad on Tuesday.

This one packs the A6X processor that "doubles the performance of CPU tasks".

The battery lasts up to 10 hours, and the tablet features an updated 720p FaceTime camera on the front panel.

The new iPad comes in a new cellular version expands LTE coverage and will also feature the new Lightning connector found with the iPhone 5.

Other items

A Lightning to USB and Lightning to SD card reader were also announced alongside the fourth-gen iPad package.

Sprint will pick up the new iPad in the U.S., while customers the world over can get the device in both black and white.

For the 16GB Wi-Fi version, pricing starts at $US499/£399/AUD$539. The 16GB Wi-Fi plus cellular gets going at $US629/£499/AUD$679.

Preorders begin on October 26 and shipping for the Wi-Fi variant gets under way on November 2.

Apple introduces all-new, super thin iMac

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Apple revealed a new, redesigned iMac Tuesday, the first update to come to the all-in-one computer since May 2011.

That, by the way, is a doozy of a wait, though it seems to be well worth it.

The all new iMac is just five millimeters thin at the sveltest parts, and Apple's included a two millimeter air gap between the glass and panel.

It's eight pounds (3.5kg) lighter than the previous iMac, too.

With screen sizes measuring 21.5- and 27-inches, the iMac stands tall among the miniature devices Cupertino also introduced at its San Jose event.

Sleek, not meek

The monitor, by the way, has managed to fit in pixels per inch and a 1,920 x 1,080 and 2,560 x 1,440 for the two sizes.

Anti-glare coating coupled with the air gab provide for 75 percent less reflection overall, according to Schiller.

The computers also feature Core i5 or i7 processors, Nvidia Kepler graphics and up to 768GB of flash or 3TB of RAM.

Those specs are impressive, but even more interesting is Apple's new "Fusion Drive," with 128GB of flash storage combined with 1 or 3GB of HDD.

Schiller said the new iMac's optional Fusion Drive delivers faster reads and writes and more storage, and here's the kicker: Mountain Lion will supposedly shuffle things on your hard drive around automatically depending on what you access most.

And Schiller said this new functionality is totally automated: "All transparently to you. You just use it and it works," he explained.

More iMac

In addition, the new iMac packs a 720p FaceTime HD camera and dual mics and speakers, though like it's predecessors it lacks any form of optical drive.

But the new iMac does pack four USB 3.0 ports and three Thunderbolt ports in that minuscule frame.

"So much work has gone into fitting all that into a computer this thin," Schiller said on stage.

The base model starts at $US1,299/£1,099/AUD$1,429 with a 2.75GHz i5 processor and 1TB HDD, plus 8GB of RAM. It ships next month.

The 27-incher begins with a 2.9GHz i5, 8GB of RAM and 1TB HDD for $1,799/£1,499/AUD$1,999. That starts shipping in December, just in time for Christmas.

Refreshed Mac minis debut at Apple event

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Apple kept the announcements rolling Tuesday as it harkened a revamped version of its Mac mini computer...make that two revamped versions.

Accompanying what we hope to hear is news of the iPad mini, the Cupertino company revealed Mac minis with more storage and more powerful processors.

The premium Mac mini is loaded with a 2.3GHz quad-core i7 processor, while the basic unit is topped with a dual-core 2.5GHz.

Apple has also announced a premium 2.3GHz quad-core i7 Mac mini with two 1TB drives that runs OS X server.

On the inside, it counts

Apple is pricing the more powerful of the two mini units at $US799/£679/AUD$899, and packing it with 4GB RAM, a 1TB hard drive and OSX Mountain Lion.

The dual-core mini comes in at 4GB of RAM with a 500GB hard drive and is priced at $US599/£499/AUD$699.

For anyone eyeing off the new Mac mini as a replacement for an ageing server, Apple's got a special version that matches the specs of the premium version, with an extra 1TB hard drive for $US999/£849/AUD$1,099.

Both will start shipping today. Oh, and Apple exec Phil Schiller was sure to point out they are eco-friendly.

Apple unveils 13-inch Retina display MacBook Pro

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In keeping with its tiny theme Tuesday, Apple announced the arrival of an all-new MacBook Pro with Retina display, this time a 13-inch iteration.

The new laptop comes just months after a 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display wowed with a screen jammed with over 5.1 million pixels.

We've heralded the 15-inch version's display as "spectacular," and the 13-inch model appears to fall right in line.

With a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600, the 13-inch has a resolution boost of over four times over the previous 13-inch and the second-highest resolution computer - after the 15-inch Retina.

Ready for the Retina

The new MacBook weighs 3.5 pounds(1.62kg) and measures 0.75-inches (1.9cm) thin, making it what Apple exec Phil Schiller said is the lightest MacBook Pro ever.

The device is 20 per cent thinner than its previous iteration, Schiller shared.

Its resolution also gives it two times the resolution of a 1080p display and a 29 percent higher contrast ratio over the previous Pro.

Apple is charging $US1,699/£999/AUD$1,899 for the base model, with a 2.5GHz i5, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of flash, $US500 less than the basic 15-inch model.

Shipping starts today.

200 million devices already upgraded to iOS 6, Tim Cook says

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Apple CEO Time Cook got the Apple kudos rolling at the company's iPad mini event Tuesday in San Jose, Calif.

In the manner common at these event, the company head laid out a host of facts and figures about just how awesome Apple is.

Starting things off by talking about the iPhone 5 - the fastest selling phone on an opening weekend - Cook revealed that 200 million devices have already upgraded to iOS 6.

That, according to Cook, is the fastest upgrade rate of any software in history, at least as far as Apple is aware.

""Our teams work really, really hard to make sure that as many devices as possible are upgraded to the latest operating system," he said.

More to come

Naturally this event is all about one thing - the mythical iPad mini - and TechRadar is live at the event to bring you the latest news and hands on review of the 7.85-inch tablet.

Stay tuned for all the latest out of San Jose.

Has Apple's 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro popped up on Google early?

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Google seems to have indexed some information about an as-yet unannounced 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

The existence of such a machine comes as no surprise – we've been expecting it for some time now – but to see it break on in Apple's Google results instead of during today's keynote speech is a little bit more unexpected.

Or is it...

It's still not exactly confirmed though; the Google results could be a tagging-based mistake for starters.

Plus the wording isn't exactly a solid gold 13-inch Retina Display hit: MacBook Pro with Retina Display is listed kind of separately from "MacBook Pro 13- and 15-inch", just as it is on Apple's retail site.

On the website, there's a section for MacBook Pro with Retina Display, and an option to click through to the MacBook Pro 13- and 15-inch non-Retina models separately.

Pricing information is given on Google.com too, ranging from $1,199 to $2,799 – these are existing prices so we're thinking it's a bit of a manic misunderstanding on the techosphere's behalf.

Still, it's Apple Event Day! All bets are well and truly off.

Updated: Apple to livestream iPad mini event

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In a very un-Apple-like move, Apple has decided to live-stream its iPad mini launch event later today over Apple TV and on its website.

The live video feed will be available through the Apple Events app on Apple TV devices, currently showing the image from the invites that Apple sent to media last week.

Update: Apple will also be streaming the event on its website, but it states that you'll need to be using "Safari 4 or later on Mac OS X v10.6 or later; Safari on iOS 4.2 or later" - clearly only Apple fans need apply.

Mini me

Although there are no guarantees that Apple will be unveiling a smaller iPad at the event, its invite seems to hint at just that with its tagline, "We've got a little more to show you."

We're also expecting to see some new Macs, MacBook Pros and possibly even a refreshed new iPad 3 with Apple's new, smaller Lightning adapter.

The event kicks off later today at 6pm BST/10am PST; join us here on the site or over on Twitter for all the breaking news.

Lightning connector photo leaks point to possible iPad refresh

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While the iPad mini is likely the star of an Apple event in San Jose, Calif. Tuesday, another iTablet could see a small though not insignificant change come its way as well.

As the majority of the rumors point to a new iPad mini getting an introduction, reports of the new iPad experiencing a refresh are making the rounds, particularly in terms of its connector port.

After Apple introduced the new Lightning connector with the iPhone 5, many believed it was only a matter of time until Apple's other iOS devices followed suit.

Newly leaked photos have surfaced showing two such connectors, one of which is believed to be part of the iPad mini, while the other may be headed for the third-gen iPad.

Lightning strikes twice

The supposed Lightning connectors shown in the photos bend towards the left, indicating the chance the logic board will be located on the left of the rumored iPad mini, or as it already is on the new iPad.

iPad mini dock connectors

Presumably such a design should help keep the device cooler while held on the right-hand side.

BGR's sources indicated the Lightning connector shown in the first image (which is markedly different than the mini's version) wouldn't be used in an iPad 3 refresh, but didn't elaborate further on what that meant.

Previous reports indicated the existing iPad's revamp wouldn't be dubbed the iPad 4, as the changes supposedly being made wouldn't alter the third-generation iPad that drastically.

In addition to finding out just what lies in store for the possible iPad mini and the new iPad's potential refresh, Apple may show off new Mac minis and a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display Tuesday as well.

TechRadar is covering the event live, so tune in from 10 a.m. PDT (6 p.m. BST) for full coverage.

Samsung Display cuts Apple ties, rebounds with competitors

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Samsung Display announced Monday that it plans to cut all ties with Apple, terminating its contract with the iPhone maker and no longer providing LCD displays for Apple's various iDevices.

Samsung Display broke off from Samsung and became a totally separate company in early 2012, so this rift likely has nothing to do with Apple and Samsung's ongoing apocalypse-sized patent war.

Rather, sources cited by The Korea Times claimed that the breakup has more to do with lessening returns on displays shipped to the Cupertino company.

"We are unable to supply our flat-screens to Apple with huge price discounts," said what the Times' called a senior Samsung source.

Price per pixel

According to the Korean paper, research firm DisplaySearch reported that the price per pixel of displays used on Apple's devices has decreased by more than half.

The researchers said the "new iPad," referring to the 2048 x 1536 third-generation iPad (and not the iPad mini that will likely be announced on Tuesday), sports 3.14 million pixels priced at $.00003 per pixel.

Compare that to the iPad 2's price of $.000063 per pixel, and it becomes clear where Samsung Display's beef may originate.

The Korea Times' report claimed that Apple has been relying more and more on Samsung's cheaper rivals, lowering its rates as it moves away from Samsung Display.

A sloppy breakup

As of the end of the first half of 2012, Samsung Display was reportedly Apple's top LCD supplier, with more than 15 million displays shipped to Cupertino.

"But Samsung shipped less than three million to Apple during the third quarter of this year and we expect the quarterly shipment in the fourth quarter to fall to some 1.5 million," said the Samsung source, whom The Korea times said "is directly involved."

"Samsung has already cut our portion of shipments to Apple and next year we will stop shipping displays," said the source.

Samsung Display plans to ramp up shipments to Amazon and Samsung Electronics' handset division to make up for the loss of Apple's business.

Apple, meanwhile, will likely turn to LG Display and Sharp, the iPad maker's second- and third-biggest screen suppliers, respectively, with 12.5 million and 2.8 million shipped during the first half of 2012.

As with even the sloppiest of breakups, both parties will likely come out fine in the end.

Yahuui Blog

Tuesday, October 23, 2012