Apple is the leading OEM in the US smartphone market, 40% of U.S. Smartphone Users Carry an iOS Device while Apple’s board wakes up and tells CEO Tim Cook to speed up

comScore have published the latest figures regarding smartphone subscriber market share in the US over a period of three months ending in June 2013.

According to these figures, Apple is the leading smartphone OEM with a 39.9% share of the market. In second place is Samsung with 23.7% and then comes HTC with 8.5%. Apple experienced a growth of 0.9% from March 2013 whereas Samsung saw 2% growth over the same period. HTC, meanwhile, had its share drop by 0.5%.

That was for the hardware. In terms of software, Android is at the top with 52% of the market. iOS is at second place with 39.9% and BlackBerry a distant third at 4.4%. Android saw no growth since March whereas iOS gained by 0.9%. BlackBerry dropped by 0.8%.

The US market currently has 149 million smartphone users with 59% mobile market penetration.

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Apple is once again the most-used smartphone brand in the United States, according to research from Nielsen.

The data reports an even 40% of American smartphone users are carrying around iOS mobile devices. Android devices, which utilize the same operating system over a number of physical phone providers, are second in popularity. Some highlights: 24.7% are using Android-operated Samsung phones; 9.4% have HTCs; and 9% Motorola.

See the rest of the breakdown in Statista's chart, below. It's based on each smartphone manufacturer's market share for the second quarter of 2013.

Which type of smartphone do you own? Do these results surprise you?

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A report from Fox Business reporter and former Wall Street Journal scribe Charlie Gasparino, says that Apples board is beginning to worry about the company's "dry spell" in producing innovative productsThe latest report on Apple says the company's board is putting pressure on CEO Tim Cook because the lack of innovation in Apple's latest (and probably upcoming) products.

The Fox Business reporter Charlie Gasparino says Apple's board wants the company to come forward with some changes without further delays. He also says despite the board is pressuring Tim Cook, his job in the company is safe.

The countless rumors we saw throughout the past weeks confirm Apple is already breaking the product pattern and will be releasing a low-cost model of iPhone called 5C. We saw various live pictures of its all-plastic body and we suspect this is probably the first of those changes that the board wants. The iPhone 5C is rumored to pack the same hardware as the current iPhone 5 flagship but to drop the premium aluminum shell in favor of an all-plastic panel.

The next iPhone 5S on the other hand is rumored to bring improved camera and flash as well as a fingerprint sensor. We considered the latter an already dead piece of technology in the mobile phones, but Apple may reinvent this in some new way.The next iteration of the full-priced Apple iPhone, dubbed the Apple iPhone 5S, is supposed to offer an improved camera sensor in order to compete with camera centric models like the Nokia Lumia 1020, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and the upcoming Sony i1 Honami. The iPhone 5S is also expected to have an improved battery and a fingerprint sensor. These new models are expected to launch in September along with a new Apple iPad mini sequel, possibly with a Retina display, and a 5th generation iPad.

And of course, there is the rumored Apple iWatch smartwatch. Now pushed back to 2014, the smartwatch will face competition from almost every major tech manufacturer. With a rumored September 4th unveiling of Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch, Apple might not be first to market with the new generation of wristwatch. Something like that could make Apple's board very unhappy, looking for a scapegoat. Remember, the Apple Maps failure also came under Cook's tenure as CEO.

Anyway, it was about time those kind of reports start popping up. Let's face it, Apple has definitely lost some of its magic after the iPhone 4S and the innovation was pushed back in favor of slowly milking existing hardware and waging patent crusades against its rivals. Maybe the board is right to ask for changes.Apple hasnt added a new device in years, the last one was the iPad Mini

Apple iPhone 5S leaked parts point to a dual LED flash

Apple is tipped to unveil its next-generation iPhone and the much anticipated low-budget iPhone, on September 10. The two smartphones are reportedly going to be called iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, respectively, and have already stared in numerous leaks. The latest rumors, includes a few photos of the spare parts that are allegedly destined for the iPhone 5S and confirm the presence of a dual LED flash.

The leaked images show us the elongated hole for the flash that are widely used to house dual LED flash. The port is very small for the usual Xenon flash, so if the leaked images are to be trusted, the iPhone 5S will indeed come out with a dual LED flash.The iPhone 5S has been rumored to have an improved camera sensor with a Dual LED flash for better low-light performance for some time now. Last week, we even saw that purported camera sensor for the device, that had a separate flash module, indicating a Dual LED flash was probable.The iPhone 5S has been rumored to have a 12MP camera with an improved lens, along with a Dual LED flash and morePrevious images showed one white LED and one red/orange. It could just be for advanced auto white balance and color correction. If so, it would certainly fit in with previous improvements to Apple’s camera. While other manufacturers are all trying to make images bigger, and upping the ISO levels, Apple’s continuous aim is to just make images better. Something it’s achieved with the iPhone every year since its inception.

Apart from the addition of the dual LED flash, it looks like the design of the upcoming Apple iPhone 5S will remain identical to the previous edition.

However, Apple is expected to make some under-the-hood changes and bring some more firepower to its smartphone. But until September comes we’ll have to live on such leaks and play the guessing game about what exactly is the new iPhone going to be all about.

iPhone 5C confirmed (name and design) cases and covers listed on Amazon. Apple iPhone 5C in red leaks

Popular iPhone case maker SPIGEN has launched a series of cases and a screen protector for the heavily rumored affordable iPhone 5C. This acts as a pretty serious confirmation that the phone does exist and we're likely to see it make an appearance alongside the iPhone 5S next month.

SPIGEN has also uploaded a bunch of marketing photos of their cases featuring iPhone 5C renders. Its photos align almost too perfectly with the recent leaks the device got during the past couple of weeks, so it might also be a cheap publicity stunt.

There's one difference though - according to those exact leaks, the iPhone 5C lacks the silence mode switch, but as we can see from SPIGEN's image below it's present and is placed exactly where you'd expect it to be - above the volume rocker.

If a report by AllthingsD is to be believed, Tim Cook and his trusty VPs are going to announce both the new iPhone lineup at an event on September 10. And if SPIGEN's Amazon listing is correct we can expect the smartphone to go on sale on September 20.

  

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We have already lost count on the number of leaks we saw for Apple's alleged budget iPhone also known as iPhone 5C. We've heard that the C in iPhone 5C might stand for color, and that might just be the case as now we see the alleged red version of the smartphone.A set of photos leaked earlier this week revealed that the iPhone 5S doesn't look much different from the iPhone 5. Now a new series of photos has surfaced, providing a closer look at Apple's rumoured low-budget iPhone, codenamed iPhone 5C, allegedly set to unveil alongside the iPhone 5S this autumn.

The iPhone 5C is supposedly a plastic-bodied smartphone. Previously leaked images have shown what it could look like, but these new images of both white and red shells for the device offer some better, more high-resolution detail.

   

Looking at the white shell, which came from leakster Sonny Dickson, there are many obvious iPhone 5 features such as a Lightning cable port, headphone jack and speaker grille. However, you might notice the speaker grille has been paired down extensively to just a handful of holes.

The red shell, which came from leakster C Technology, is practically identical to the white casing (aside from colour, obviously). The images aren't as high quality as the ones from Dickson, although it's still more evidence that Apple certainly has something up its sleeve.Also, according to a frequent commenter on Chinese social website Weibo, the iPhone 5C will release for 3,000 yuan SIM-free. This translates to £320 - or the current price for the 8GB iPhone 4 SIM-free. At that price, Apple could certainly give the HTC One mini and Samsung Galaxy S4 mini a run for their money.The red plastic shell is just one of a few colorful options for the iPhone 5C. Apple is betting on color and we have seen yellow, green, blue and white versions of the device. 

  

The leaked image shows us a box containing an alleged spare digitizer and screen for the next iPhone.

The good news is the leak marathon is now entering its final stages - the next iPhone and its budget counterpart should be announced at the start of next month.

The next Apple iPhone to be launched on September 10

Come September 10, the current iPhone rumor season will end and a new one will begin. That's because that's the day Apple will unveil the next incarnation of its iconic device. The launch date of Apple's next iPhone has been revealed, albeit unofficially. The hotly anticipated smartphone has been tipped for a September 10 launch by All Things D. There has been no mention on the products which are expected to be launched. The numerous leaks point at Apple launching its top shelf smartphone alongside a budget-friendly sibling with a polycarbonate casing ). Of course, iOS 7 release date is also more than likely to be announced. the unveiling of Apple's Mac OS X, aka Mavericks, isn't expected at the purported September 10 event, and that there's no indication that an Apple television or smartwatch project is "close to debuting."It has been reported that the newest iPhone devices will be phablets (packing massive screen) and have improved camera features

Apple told to cut ties with ebook publishers Kindle maker Amazon to benifit

The US Department of Justice on Friday said that tech giant Apple must cut ties with the five publishers with which it was found guilty of running an e-book price-fixing scheme.
Last month, a US district court in New York found Apple guilty of conspiring with publishers to fix book prices for readers using its iPad and iPhone devices. 

On Friday, Justice Department officials submitted to the court a plan for Apple to cut its existing ties to the publishers and to make it easier for its rivals to sell books on its platforms. 

"Under the department's proposed order, Apple's illegal conduct will cease and Apple and its senior executives will be prevented from conspiring to thwart competition in the future," assistant attorney general Bill Baer said. 
"Plaintiffs' proposed injunction is a draconian and punitive intrusion into Apple's business, wildly out of proportion to any adjudicated wrongdoing or potential harm," Apple attorneys argued in the legal brief.

The proposed settlement would see Apple end its current agreements with five US-based publishers: Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster. 

The tech firm would promise not to enter new contracts with the five to limit price competition in the next five years, and would allow other e-book retailers to link to their products from iPad and iPhone apps for two years. 

Apple would also be ordered to pay the salary of an external monitor to confirm its compliance with anti-trust laws. 

The Department of Justice lodged a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple and the publishers in April last year. 

It has since reached settlements with four of the publishers and has an agreement with Macmillan that is yet to be approved by the court. 

Friday's proposition on Apple's settlement still has to be approved by a federal judge. 

Under the existing settlements, the publishers agreed to end any agreements they have with retailers like Apple to prevent them from discounting titles sold through their platforms. 

Through its devices and software, Apple allows readers to buy electronic versions of books online and download them to a personal digital library. 

In this it competes with other retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, which sell e-books through online "apps" on mobile devices, using operating systems such as Microsoft's Windows or Google's Android. 

The settlement would oblige Apple to allow retailers to "provide links from their e-book apps to their e-bookstores, allowing customers who purchase and read e-books on their iPads and iPhones easily to compare Apple's prices with those of its competitors."Forcing Apple to cut ties with publishers could wind up handing the e-book market to Kindle-maker Amazon.com, according to analysts.

Apple patent filing details iPhone-controlled car and home environments

A US patent application by Apple would give the tech company's devices control of car interior settings and maybe even the home. 

Imagine getting into any modern car -- even a rental -- and everything being just right. The wing mirrors are at the perfect position, the seat at the  optimum distance from the pedals, the air conditioning is how you like it and the music playing on the stereo is made up entirely of your favorite tracks from your favorite artists. As Apple's invention notes, while such self-configurable environments are convenient, they are rarely transportable. To solve this apparent problem, the patent application details a method of using a portable device, such as an iPhone, to take environment configuration information on-the-go. The technology could allow for an iPhone to become a universal configuration tool for the world around its user. The document focuses mainly on the car, which is understandable given the level of environment customization implemented by a number of auto makers. In one embodiment, the portable device acts connects with the car's computer to relay a set of custom options stored by the user. For example, a user could store their personal preferences onto a portable device, and when that device enters a car, it will send the appropriate configuration information.

Aside from the basic seat positioning information, the patent filing goes further and describes an embodiment that can adjust components in a car based on angle measurements, driver positioning, and other metrics. Driving the advanced configuration is "environment-translation software" that would run on a user's device, adjusting options based on measurements taken by the car. Such a system would be useful in the case of car rentals, or new car purchases, the application notes.

Apple's "Automatic configuration of self-configurable environments" filing, originally applied for in 2012 and made public on Thursday, August 1, details how with nothing more than a device such as an iPhone, all of this -- and a lot more -- could become a reality.

A number of modern cars have a memory setting so that one, two or even a family of drivers can save their seat and mirror position settings, and while that's great, those preferences can't be carried over to other vehicles easily. OK, with the 2013 range of BMWs, a driver can export his or her settings to a USB thumb drive and then connect it to another BMW. But unless you only ever drive or rent 2013 BMWs it is of extremely limited use.

The features described in Apple's concept, first discovered by Appleinsider, could take this one stage further by being able to communicate with the car in question to take measurements within the cabin in order to calculate the optimum position of things such as wing mirrors -- after all each car is different in the sense that windshields, rear and side windows are different: shapes, sizes and heights and overtaking mirrors are sometimes mounted forward of the front doors, and sometimes are part of the doors.

In other embodiments, house or hotel climate controls, television, lighting and other home automation settings are briefly covered. Though sparse on details, it can be imagined that a portable device would be able to control an entertainment system, air conditioning, and other connected appliances.

While Apple's invention would rely heavily on the cooperation of third-party manufacturers to build out the robust ecosystem required to facilitate such a system, the benefits to the user would be substantial. The company is already rolling out a type of configuration method in iOS in the Car, though it has already seen pushback from car manufacturers hesitant to implement the solution in their infotainment systems. 

Though focused on the car -- because of the number of motorized, electronic customizable elements already found in the cabin -- the filing also covers smart living environments and how a device could transfer home settings -- such as lights, air conditioning and preferred TV channels -- to a hotel room.

Apple working to add thinner, lighter and battery conserving display in next iPad

Apple is reported of working on next generation iPad tablet to make it lighter and thinner than the iPad retina. DigiTimesreported the information based on industry sources that Apple plans to use thinner and better display technology in the next generation tablet.

Apple has been known to improve its products in terms of physical aspects year after year. The popular iPad tablet has already gone through four different generations so far. The fifth generation iPad tablet is currently be planned and in process of development. As per the reports from research analysts and component industry sources, Apple plans to use better display panel in the next iPad tablet.

The new iPad tablet is thus expected to be slimmer and consume relatively less battery compared to previous generation models. Overall, the next iPad will be 15 percent thinner and 25 per cent lighter than the iPad 4 tablet. With the thinner display, Apple will not pack a larger battery size but may end up chopping some to provide same 10 hours of battery life. Apple has so far though has not hinted anything about the launch of a new iPad tablet.

iOS in Car - a smart move by Apple

In the very last minute of its earnings call question and answer session with analysts, Apple's chief executive Tim Cook addressed "iOS in the Car," the company's strategy for automotive, calling it "very, very important" and a "key focus for us." Here's why.

What if Apple just came out and told you what it was doing next?

It's telling that the group of Apple analysts on the call, who have long been digging at Apple for clues as to what it might do next (netbooks? TVs? watches?) didn't think to bring up iOS in the Car until literally the last minute of the call.  This is particularly noteworthy given that iOS in the Car was publicly outed last month in the company's Worldwide Developer Conference keynote, where a detailed overview of its features were provided by Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, the group that manages iTunes, iCloud, the App Store, iMessages, Siri and Maps. Asked by Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt if iOS in the Car was a "licensing opportunity" or what the "strategic relevance" of it might be, Cook answered, "I see it as very important." Cook explained, "It is a part of the ecosystem. And so just like the App Store is a key part of the ecosystem, and iTunes and all of our content is key, and the services we provide from messaging to Siri and so forth, having something in the automobile is very very important. It's something that people want. And I think that Apple can do this in a unique way, and better than anyone else. And so it's a key focus for us." That's certainly a stronger endorsement than Cook's recent descriptions of the state of Apple TV, which have morphed from a "hobby" to being "a string we keep pulling to see where it takes us."

The origins of iOS in the Car

iOS in the Car appears to be Apple's first significant new hardware product that isn't a standalone device. It's an outgrowth of the company's car integration features, which originated as a way to control music playback from the iPod. Between the iPod's release in 2001 up until 2003, Apple experimented with basic serial interfaces, starting with iPod Accessory Protocol. This morphed into the more sophisticated Advanced iPod Remote (AiR) with the capacity to depict artist and title information, navigate songs within a playlist, handle shuffle playback and even show album art. In 2004, Apple launched a program with BMW to provide USB iPod integration in its BMW and Mini vehicles, followed by a 2005 announcement of partnerships with Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Nissan, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari. In 2007, Apple launched the new iPhone and iPod touch, adding support for Bluetooth integration to control audio playback and support phone calls. In 2010, Apple upgraded its auto integration with iOS 4's "iPod Out," a feature designed to present Apple's familiar iPod interface on a car's built in display. By that point however, the success of the iPhone and iPod touch were eclipsing more basic iPods, so presenting a simple "classic iPod" as the only interface for vehicle playback ended up a short-lived objective. Additionally, there has been increasing interest by government safety officials to reduce the dangers of distracted driving.  In response, last summer Apple launched a new initiative designed to focus on iOS by integrating iOS 5's Siri feature into automobiles as a voice-only interface branded "Eyes Free." Apple's focus on Siri and the new Maps in iOS 6 led AppleInsider to predict last winter that Apple's next major market for iOS was likely to be in automotive, noting that Apple is now "in a position to offer a vehicle's entire entertainment system with the release of Siri-integrated Maps in iOS 6." 

Apple introduces iOS in the Car

It's therefore fitting that the enhanced new features of Siri in iOS 7 served as a segue for Cue to introduce iOS in the Car at WWDC. "Siri is also a big part of our next feature, 'iOS in the Car,'" Cue announced to developer applause. "Now, 95% of cars sold today have integrated music playback and control from an iOS device," Cue said. "But we want to take this integration to a whole 'nother level. What if you could get iOS on the screen that is built into your car?" iOS in the Car expands upon Siri Eyes Free integration, which Apple introduced last summer with the release of iOS 6, by actually installing iOS in the dash. Apple depicts iOS in the Car as running on a dash-integrated screen installed above a physical power button. In the bezel on either side of the power button, Apple depicts what appears to be LED-illuminated Volume and Home controls.

Source: Apple

Cue highlighted a series of features iOS in the Car will support, including the ability to "get phone calls, play music, go to Maps, get your iMessages right on the screen of your car, or Eyes Free using Siri." As Cue spoke, Apple depicted iOS in the Car features in a series of slides, which it now presents on its iOS 7 preview website with additional detail.  In addition to initiating a phone call Eyes Free via Siri, as Cue demonstrated on stage, Apple's site notes that "Siri will play back your voicemail and return missed calls, if you ask."

Source: Apple

In addition to playing music, again Eyes Free via Siri, through a specific song title request, as Cue demonstrated, Apple now states that you will be able to "use your car’s onboard controls for your music, including iTunes Radio, audiobooks, podcasts, third-party audio apps, and more."

Source: Apple

In addition "going to maps," Apple highlights that iOS in the Car will give you turn-by-turn directions, and even "knows when you’re leaving home for work — or vice versa — and displays traffic conditions and your ETA with Maps." 

Source: Apple

Additionally, Apple notes that iOS in the Car will feature the same kind of Apple Data Detectors integration AppleInsider profiled as a new feature in both the upcoming OS X Mavericks and iOS 7, stating that you can "enter an address or let iOS in the Car serve up any address you received in an email or text" (emphasis ours).

Source: Apple

Finally, in addition "getting your iMessages," Apple notes that "text messages appear right on your car’s display. Siri can read them to you while you listen over your car’s speakers. And to reply, just dictate to Siri."

Here's the new iOS form factor you've been waiting for

In the screen shots above, Apple depicts iOS in the Car as having an appearance similar to iOS 7 running on an iPhone, yet it's also as different as the iPhone is from iPad. For example, there's a software home button centered on the bottom of the landscape-oriented display. Also, typical features of the iOS top title bar, including the mobile carrier strength, current time and battery level are presented on the bottom of the screen. It's also interesting that Apple presents mobile signal strength at all, suggesting that iOS in the Car might require its own data plan.  It's possible the display is simply relaying the signal and battery life of a tethered iOS device that's providing the data signal. That would also explain why a car's built-in display would need to have a battery strength indicator, and potentially harmonize with discovered details pointing to AirPlay support over both WiFi and USB in iOS 7 running on mobile devices. 

At the same time, if iOS in the Car necessitated a tethered mobile link to work, it simply wouldn't work for a lot of people who don't (or can't) use tethering on their mobile plan. Apple hasn't publicly announced how iOS in the Car will work with data carriers, but lots of high end cars already include basic 3G data service to support certain features, including navigation and emergency assistance. This is sometimes paid for by a subscription service, or simply bundled into the cost of the vehicle, similar to Amazon's "Whispernet" service for its e-ink Kindle devices. 

A new UI for iOS

The user interface of iOS in the Car is also different from iOS devices in other subtle ways, from the "X" close button to dismiss the "traffic overview" panel (shown previously) to the round, easy to target buttons presented for audibly playing an incoming message or to activate 3D persecutive in Maps. 

Source: Apple

This new user interface is even more evident in the Maps slide shown at WWDC, which presented familiar controls in an auto-optimized layout (above). In contrast with iOS 7 Maps on an iPhone (below), the car display shows larger, simpler icons for search, recent locations, bookmarks and information, as well as simplified location centering and zoom buttons that will likely replace the precise pinch gestures that make sense on a handheld device but not on a dash mounted screen.  The conventional iOS 7 Maps interface for mobile devices not only positions controls differently, but also invites typing text into a search field (a feature that appears to be replaced with Siri or by selecting recent, saved or suggested location bookmarks), as well as offering other features that aren't really car-appropriate, such as Twitter sharing and AirPrint (no word on whether iOS in the Car maps will support satellite or Flyover imagery, but it will no doubt include iOS 7's new night mode). 

How iOS in the Car presents Maps is also dashboard-optimized, with fewer location labels and more apparent street labels when compared to iOS 7 on an iPhone at a similar zoom level. Specifically, there are more parking locations highlighted, a similar number of significant landmarks (albeit without a lot of text), but no transit stops and none of the many schools, coffee shops, hotels, bars (and Apple Store) labels that make Maps on the iPhone too busy to easily read with a quick glance.  In general, iOS in the Car also appears to lack the conventional Home Screen of Apple's iPhone and iPad, using Siri as its default interface instead. Additionally, the phone screen is missing three buttons on the iPhone when making calls: there's (understandably) no FaceTime or Speakerphone button, but there's also none for Contacts, reminding you that iOS in the Car is designed to be navigated by voice through Siri, rather than being a busy interface full of buttons to fuel distracted driving. 

This means Apple now has four distinct user interfaces: one for Macs, one for iPhone and iPod touch; one for iPad, and a familiar but new Siri-centric, iOS for the Car user environment thoughtfully optimized for safer, Eyes Free automotive use. 

iPhone turns into i(can damage you)Phone

A Sydney woman has been taken to hospital after suffering an electric shock from her iPhone.

The 28-year-old woman told emergency services she was zapped while holding the phone in her Chatswood home about 8pm on Wednesday. It was unclear whether the phone was plugged in and charging at the time.

The woman was not seriously injured, but a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said she was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition for treatment.

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Earlier this month, Apple said it would investigate claims an iPhone electrocuted a woman who was making a call while charging the device in China. This week another person, a man in China, was also reported to be in a coma after suffering electrocution from a charging iPhone. The Sydney woman is the fifth person treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics this year after receiving electric shocks from mobile phones, while hundreds more have been treated for injuries caused from household electrical appliances.

Apple Announces 1 Billion Podcast Subscriptions In iTunes

Apple on Monday announced that the iTunes Store eclipsed 1 billion podcast subscriptions. That’s a whole lot of talking. A special promotion appeared in the iTunes Podcasts directory to commemorate the big number.In celebration of the achievement, the company is highlighting some of the most popular podcasts since the service was added in 2005.

Apple says that those billion subscriptions are spread across 250,000 unique podcasts in more than 100 languages, and that more than 8 million episodes have been published in the iTunes Store to date.

No doubt about it: A billion podcast subscriptions is a massive number. No doubt some of those subscriptions don’t translate into nearly as many “listens”; if you’ve ever had newspapers or Instapaper articles accumulate over time, you know how a podcast subscription can get.

Either way, though, the milestone is significant. And it’s even significant that Apple’s touting the number.

When Apple crows about the number of iPhones sold, apps downloaded, or OS X updates installed, that’s direct pride in profitable Cupertino creations. Though the word itself evolved etymologically from “iPod," podcasts aren't an Apple invention, and the company doesn’t directly make money off them, either.

At the same time, the company’s heavily invested in the medium: There’s the iTunes Podcasts section, complete with an editorial staff that curates it; the ever-evolving Podcasts app for iOS; and even the Apple TV's built-in podcast support. GarageBand offers explicit support for creating podcasts, too. Making it easy to create, discover, and subscribe to podcasts makes Apple’s customers happy

Apple iPhone sales to hit 62 million in Q4

Apple will be reporting its second-quarters results on Tuesday and the Cupertino giants are predicted to have sold 26 million units, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. The analyst also estimates the iPhone sales to be just 24 million for the third-quarter, which is less than the 26.9 million sold over the Q3, 2013. Surprisingly, that number also includes the sales of the upcoming iPhone 5S, which will probably hit the shelves before the next quarter runs out. However, the Apple iPhone sales are expected to get a huge boost by the much-anticipated budget iPhone, during the holiday season. According to the analyst, Apple might sell 62 million iPhones during the fourth quarter with the budget iPhone accounting for no less than 12 million units. Wall Street also expects Apple to reach the 50 million mark in the last quarter, but the general consensus is significantly lower than Gene Munster's predicitions.
VIA GSM Arena

Apple trying 13 inch iPad and 4.7-5.7 iPhone screens , raises iBrows

If your chief problem with Apple devices was that they were a little small then you may be in luck, with further suggestions that the US giant is testing considerably larger screens for its iPhone and iPad. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is testing prototypes of a tablet with a display 'slightly less than 13-inches' along with an iPhone with a screen measuring over four inches diagonally.  and smartphone screens that are larger than theiPhone 5. Rumours that Apple is looking to upsize its devices have been plentiful this year, and the latest stories are obviously all the more likely given the source. Of course, testing does not mean definitely on their way, and Apple will be mindful that it has made the case for both iPhone and iPad's current screen sizes being optimum. A 13-inch tablet would certainly raise eyebrows, with real questions over whether the weight can be kept down enough to make it a comfortable experience. A larger iPhone looks more likely, with competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One enjoying success with bigger screens, and the Asian market embracing phablets like the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 . It's widely thought that this year will see a new iPad 5 with the traditional 9.7 inch retina screen and a new flagship iPhone 5S.

·         iPhone 5S screen rumoured to double pixel count at 1.5 million pixels

·         iPad 5, iPad mini 2 release reportedly beset by delay due to Foxconn, Apple rift

·         iPhone Mini reportedly launching this summer

 
News reported in May that Apple was testing a 12.9-inch iPad, and Reuters reported last month that the company is looking into producing iPhones with screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.7 inches. It's not clear whether any of the models will make it into mass production; Apple, like many other companies, tests a large number of prototypes before deciding to launch a product. Documents produced during its showdown trial with Samsung last year gave insight into the process, with dozens of rejected iPhone and iPad designspresented as evidence. The WSJ's sources say that this year will see the release of a new iPad with the same 9.7-inch 2048 x 1536 Retina display, but employing in-cell touch technology to make the structure thinner and lighter. The same technique was used on the iPhone 5. The upcoming iPhone "5S," meanwhile, is said to be set for a release this year alongside a lower-cost plastic model, and both will reportedly come in a variety of colors.