Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Apple : iPad Mini launch event confirmed for October 23

Apple : iPad Mini launch event confirmed for October 23

iPad Mini launch event confirmed for October 23

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iPad Mini launch event confirmed for October 23

The invites are out: Apple has made its long-rumoured October 23 iPad Mini event official.

In typical Apple style, it hasn't explicitly said that it will be unveiling a 7-inch iPad at the shindig, but given the torrent of leaks over the past few months we feel pretty confident guessing that's what we'll see.

The invite-only event will take place at the California Theatre in San Jose, Calif. a week from today.

"We've got a little more to show you," a message reads in a white-silhouetted Apple, a blank spot on the otherwise rainbow-splashed invite.

Hoopla

Although not likely to be as much of a media circus as the Foo-Fighters-attended iPhone 5 launch in September, no doubt there will be plenty of hyperbolic marketing speak to enjoy.

We wonder if Tim Cook will eat Steve Jobs' famous rant that 7-inch tablets require users to "sand down their fingers to around one quarter of their present size".

Also expected to be announced on October 23 is the 13-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, and perhaps a revamped Mac mini or two.

What's more (and we might be reading a little too much into this) the invite's white Apple leaf seems to suggest the teardrop shape rumored as a hallmark of a new iMac, so we might see some desktop news hitting the streets next week as well.

TechRadar will be front and centre on the day so stay tuned for all the exciting smaller-iPad-related news; join us here on the site or over on Twitter.

Sources say Apple reducing Samsung's role in chip production

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Sources say Apple reducing Samsung's role in chip production

A new report once again points to Apple wanting to put more than just an arm's length between the Cupertino company and bitter rival Samsung as the firm's primary chip provider.

According to The Korea Times, Apple has already reduced its involvement with Samsung, though it's still relying on the manufacturer for the A6 chips powering its latest idevice, the iPhone 5.

"There are three kinds of chip clients," an anonymous Samsung source allegedly told The Korea Times.

"Some want us to handle everything from chip design, architecture and manufacturing. Some want us to just design and manufacture. Some want us to just make the chips. Apple is now the third type."

"Samsung's agreement with Apple is limited to manufacturing the A6 processors. Apple did all the design and we are just producing the chips on a foundry basis," the source added.

Change is in the air

Since the A6 processors used in the new iPhone were entirely designed by Apple, the firm is free to take its production elsewhere without running into another patent face-off with Samsung.

Recent reports indicate that Apple is courting Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for future chip production.

TSMC is capable of building chips for Apple using its advanced 20 nanometer manufacturing process, which would create chips that are 30 percent faster and 25 percent more efficient than the current 28nm chips found in the iPhone 5.

Another Samsung official commented on the possible shift to TSMC chips, telling The Korea Times, "Samsung has already acknowledged that Apple has an appetite to carry out its own central processing unit (CPU) design."

Losing Apple as a client would surely mean a big loss for Samsung, but the firm reportedly isn't worried as the unnamed Samsung official went on to cite increased custom CPU orders coming in from Qualcomm, Nvidia and Texas Instruments.

In the meantime, Apple can't afford to completely cut Samsung out yet, forcing the two rivals to continue a deteriorating partnership.

However, when Apple is finally ready to announce its next-generation A7 processor (or whatever it will be called), don't expect to see Samsung's name anywhere near it.

Rumor: Mac mini refresh to coincide with iPad Mini launch

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Rumor: Mac mini refresh to coincide with iPad Mini launch

With news the purported unveiling of the iPad Mini is set for Oct. 23, accompanied by a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, it appeared the Apple rumor mill might finally get a breather.

That's apparently not the case as new reports surfaced Monday indicating Apple may have a few more - miniaturized - surprises up its sleeves.

In addition to the all-but-confirmed iPad Mini (check out our iPad Mini release date article for more on the tiny tablet), sources say Apple plans to introduce refreshed Mac minis with more storage and better processors than their predecessors alongside the new tablet.

Apple doubles down on Minis

9to5Mac reported its sources are pointing to a simultaneous reveal of the new Mac minis with the iPad Mini on Oct. 23, with the minis available for sale immediately after the announcement.

There will supposedly be three new versions of Apple's small form factor computer, all of which will apparently include USB 3.0 along with new chipsets.

Two of the Mac minis will come with standard configurations, though different storage size and processor power will set them apart, while the third mini will reportedly run OSX Server.

The Mac mini hasn't seen a true upgrade since the last iteration arrived in 2011, so it wouldn't be entirely out of the question for Apple to introduce a new version just in time for the holidays to be compatible with the iPhone 5, iPad Mini, and 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.

Launching a tablet and new computers just ahead of Microsoft's Windows 8 and its consequential devices would certainly take a bit of wind out of the Softies sails.

Until more concrete information arises from Cupertino, we'll just have to wait and see which of these rumors actually pans out.
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