Apple reportedly acquires SnappyLabs, the company behind the rapid-fire iOS camera app

Apple reportedly acquires SnappyLabs, the company behind the rapid-fire iOS camera app

According to a new report from TechCrunch, Apple has acquired the photo technology startup SnappyLabs. SnappyLabs is a one-man development team known for creating the SnappyCam app. As the name implies, the big feature of SnappyCam is its ability to take full-resolution images at 20 to 30 frames per second, which is considerably faster than the native Camera app on iOS. The app was sold for $1 on the App Store and was relatively popular, reaching #1 on the paid app chart in nine countries.

SnappyCam, on iPhone, is the fastest smart-phone camera on earth. With it you can easily get that impossible, perfect shot, every time. SnappyCam also shoots unique living photos that capture the entire moment, not just a single snapshot in time. It’s like an interactive flip-book, in full 8 Mpx glory and at high-speed.

 The acquisition was first suspected when SnappyCam oddly disappeared from the App Store and all of the SnappyLabs websites went offline. Sources speaking to TechCrunch claim that the company was acquired by Apple and that there was interest from “most of the usual players.”

Apple has yet to confirm the acquisition, and when (or if) it does, we can’t expect to learn too many details, as the company is often cagey with specific information regarding its purchases. As of right now, John Papandriopoulos’ LinkedIn profile still lists him as the CEO and Founder of SnappyLabs.

Presumably, bringing Papandriopoulos on board would allow for Apple to work on integrating SnappyCam’s rapid-fire camera into iOS, in addition to its other features.

Apple has been on quite a buying-spree recently, having just snapped up the BroadMap mapping firm and Evernote-competitior Catch last month. Before that, the company reportedly acquired PrimeSense, the company behind the original Microsoft Kinect technology.

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Mac Pro Build-To-Order Units Start Shipping to Customers

Mac Pro Build-To-Order Units Start Shipping to Customers

Apple has begun shipping custom configured Mac Pro units to customers according to MacRumors Forum members, some two weeks after stock configurations began arriving just before Christmas. 

According to several posters on the MacRumors forums, a number of custom configured models have seen their order status change to "Preparing for Shipping", which typically happens one day before an actual shipment. A couple have even seen their machines actually ship, with some expected to arrive as soon as today. 

Stock configurations ordered early on launch day have been shipping more consistently, while custom orders have seen longer delays. 

Appleconfirmation

Separately, Electronista reported earlier this week that Apple may not have sufficient Mac Pro units to stock its Apple Stores until March or April. Currently, customers are being advised to order units online and they will ship when available -- estimated ship times for the Mac Pro are currently targeted to February. 

Apple's in-demand new Mac Pro will not be available to in store customers until as late as March or April. The information was supplied to us by an Apple Australia business sales specialist who also advised that they are being told to direct customers to the online channel as it the only way that customers can currently secure a new Mac Pro -- the advice also applies to those who may have already placed an order on a unit in store. Apple's online store is still showing that Mac Pros ordered now will not ship until sometime in February at the earliest. The only Mac Pro units to have reached some Apple Stores are demonstrator units and this is not expected to change for some months.

Mac Pro models still show an "available to ship" estimate of February on the U.S. Apple Online Store, while Mac Pro units appear to be out-of-stock at all Apple Retail Stores. 

Update: One customer whose build-to-order Mac Pro shipped on December 31 has received the order today. 

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Wearable Technology at CES 2014: Smart Watches, Activity Trackers, Glasses, and More

Wearable Technology at CES 2014: Smart Watches, Activity Trackers, Glasses, and More

As it was during last year's Consumer Electronics Show, wearable technology, in the form of a variety of smart watches, fitness trackers and even smart glasses, will be a major focus of CES 2014, which is slated to begin next week. 

This year, CES will feature an all new TechZone exhibit called "WristRevolution," featuring smart watches (both already released and upcoming) from a wide array of companies highlighted by PCWorld, including Kronoz, Cookoo, Sonostar, Metawatch, Archos, Burg, and Pine. Major companies like Qualcomm and Sony will also exhibit smart watches, as will seasoned veteran Pebble. 

kronoz

Kronoz ZeNano

Some of the watches, like the Cookoo, offer notifications and more bundled in a standard watch style design, while other products, like the Sonostar, carry a more futuristic wraparound design. Some, like the Kronoz, allow users to answer calls directly on their wrists, and others, like the Pine, also include biometric sensors for measuring heart rate.

Witness the unveiling of next generation tech wearables. The all-new WristRevolution TechZone at the 2014 CES is where style, sensors and connectivity intersect. From customizable and downloadable watch faces to internet-connectivity and app-based programs, the standard wristwatch transforms into a GPS, music player, health monitor, alert and message indicator and more. The WristRevolution TechZone will showcase the latest developments and discoveries for the next wave of advancement for this pocket-sized tech.

Smart watches have soared in popularity over the course of 2013, following the release of the Pebble Smart Watch and an onslaught of rumors about Apple's smart "iWatch," inspiring companies like Samsung to launch their own smart watch offerings. 

Along with smart watches, wearable activity trackers like the Fitbit, the Jawbone UP, and the Nike FuelBand are expected to be a popular exhibition category at CES. The show will see old favorites from companies like Fitbit and Basis, showing off their newest offerings the Fitbit Force and the Carbon Steel Basis Tracker, respectively, as well as newer devices like the Lifeband Touch from LG. 

Spurred by the popularity of Google Glass, several companies will show off smart glasses, with Epson, Vuzix, GlassUp, and more exhibiting various smart eyewear products. GlassUp, like Google Glass, is designed to allow wearers to view incoming notifications like emails, text messages, app updates, and more, but it is far more simple than Google Glass, lacking key features like a camera. 

glassupglasses

Wearables that don't fall into other categories, like the MYO armband, will be exhibited as well. First introduced last year, the MYO armband is designed to detect motion and muscle movements, allowing its users to control a Mac, PC, or other device through gestures. The Kiwi Move, a small motion-tracking dongle, works similarly to an activity tracker but can be worn anywhere, while the Lumo is a back brace designed to sense and correct posture. Intel has also promised to unveil some non-specific "innovative wearables" during CES. 

myo

Wearable technology will also veer into some radical new arenas at CES, with i4c debuting VOYCE, a wearable monitor designed for dogs. The collar, which includes a number of biometric sensors, measures vital signs. 

In addition to the above mentioned products, many other wearable surprises are expected to debut at CES this year, skyrocketing wearable technology to a new level of popularity. CES 2014 will take place from Tuesday, January 7 to Friday, January 10 in Las Vegas.

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Corning Announces New '3D' Shaped Gorilla Glass

Corning Announces New '3D' Shaped Gorilla Glass

Corning has announced a new shaped Gorilla Glass product to offer glass solutions for curved devices like smart watches. Corning is one of Apple's main suppliers for the glass in the iPhone and iPad, and, with Apple rumored to have a smart watch production the works, Corning's new product would make for a logical source component for the new device.

Product design continues to drive the consumer electronics industry. More than half of the top 10 smartphone manufacturers already market devices that incorporate cover glass with subtle curves, and the demand for even more-dramatic form factors is increasing. Corning’s 3D-forming technology meets this demand and expands the design possibilities for industrial designers.

The relationship with GTOC allows Corning to provide a “one-roof” solution. “We can now take Gorilla Glass all the way from flat sheet to a finished 3D-shaped product in Asia, expediting turnaround times and minimizing logistical complexity,” said James R. Steiner, senior vice president and general manager, Corning Specialty Materials. "That’s a win for Corning and our customers."

Apple has used curved glass in some of its products in the past, most notably in a previous generation iPod nano. There have been a number of rumors about Apple developing curved glass iPhones, most recently in November when Bloomberg said Apple would release 4.7" and 5.5" iPhones next fall with slightly curved screens.

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Apple Acquires SnappyLabs, Maker of SnappyCam Burst Photo App

Apple Acquires SnappyLabs, Maker of SnappyCam Burst Photo App

Apple has acquired SnappyLabs, a one-man app maker behind the now-discontinued SnappyCam app. The app was removed from the App Store -- along with its website and social media presence -- just before the end of the year.

According to TechCrunch, which first reported the acquisition:

"Sources have since affirmed that the company was acquired by Apple, and that there was also acquisition interest “from most of the usual players”, meaning other tech giants. I don’t have details on the terms of the deal, and I’m awaiting a response from Apple, which has not confirmed the acquisition."

Back in July, SnappyCam was upgraded with new technology, detailed in a now-deleted blog post (still viewable via Archive.org), that explains how developer John Papandriopoulos was able to redesign how JPG images are compressed, allowing the iPhone to shoot full-quality burst mode photographs at significant higher frames per second than other competing technologies, including the new burst mode built into iOS 7.

With the acquisition, it seems likely that Apple will integrate the SnappyCam technology into its native iOS and OS X camera programs and APIs. Apple added burst mode photo shooting to iOS 7, allowing iPhone 5s owners to shoot 10 photos per second at full resolution, in order to get the best shot in action scenes or with fast-moving children.

SnappyCam is no longer available for download from the App Store. Pricing and other details were not revealed, and Apple has not yet confirmed the acquisition.

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Digital Music Sales Decline for First Time Since Opening of iTunes Music Store

Digital Music Sales Decline for First Time Since Opening of iTunes Music Store

For the first time since the opening of the iTunes Music Store in 2003, digital music sales have decreased year-over-year, reports Billboard. 

In 2013, sales of individual digital tracks declined 5.7% from 1.34 billion units to 1.26 billion units, while digital album sales fell to 117.6 million units from 117.7 million units in 2012. The report notes that industry executives have cited music streaming services for the regression in digital music sales.

While industry executives initially refused to attribute the early signs this year of digital sales weakness to the consumer's growing appetite for streaming, in the second half of the year many were conceding that ad-supported and paid subscription services were indeed cannibalizing digital sales. 

While SoundScan has not yet released its annual streaming numbers numbers, so far industry executives have been reporting that the growth in streaming revenue has been offsetting the decline in digital sales revenue.

Music streaming providers experienced a surge in popularity during 2013, as major services such as Spotify, Pandora, and Rdio announced new free listening tiers for users in the wake of Apple launching iTunes Radio. Apple is also said to be expanding iTunes Radio service to the U.K, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand within the first few months of 2014, ahead of competitor Pandora’s own expansion. 

Overall, album sales as a whole declined 8.4% in 2013, dropping to 289.4 units from nearly 316 units in 2012, with physical CD sales declining 14.5% to 165.4 million units from 193.4 million units in the prior year. iTunes also saw its market share rise to account for 40.6% of total U.S. album sales, as Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" became the year's best selling single with 6.5 million tracks sold. 

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Apple Said to Be Targeting Fall 2014 Launch for 12-Inch iPad Focused on Enterprise

Apple Said to Be Targeting Fall 2014 Launch for 12-Inch iPad Focused on Enterprise

Amid rumors of a larger "iPad Pro" perhaps arriving in 2014 with a larger display in the range of 12-13 inches, Evercore analyst Patrick Wang yesterday released a research report indicating that supply chain sources are indeed supporting the circulating claims. 

According to Wang's sources, Apple is looking to launch a 12-inch iPad in the fall of this year, targeting enterprise with a new "hybrid" device intended to bridge the gap between tablets and notebooks. Wang believes that the larger iPad will unsurprisingly also include a new A8 processor from Apple that may be a quad-core chip, as well as increased storage.

Arriving in fall ‘14, Apple goes Enterprise with an 12” iPad. Powered by the A8 chip (perhaps 4C), this expands ARM’s reach and, once again, transforms the traditional notebook market as we know it. 

- Expect a 2-1 hybrid – think iPad + MBA – similar to how most iPads are used in the workplace and in the same spirit of MSFT’s Surface.

Wang points out that bill-of-materials estimates peg the cost of the Intel processors used in the MacBook Air in excess of 20% of the machine's cost, while the ARM processors used in Apple's iPad represent only about 5% of total cost for high storage capacity models. The much lower pricing for Apple's A-series chips could allow the company to pose a serious threat to the business notebook market for those applications where a new and larger iPad would be appropriate. 

In his note, Wang points out that Apple faces two primary challenges in penetrating the enterprise notebook market with a larger iPad. The first is storage capacity, with the current iPad maxing out at 128 GB, while the second is support for the full Microsoft Office suite that is entrenched in the enterprise market. Microsoft has been reported for some time to be working on a version of Office for iPad, and the most recent reports have indicated that it could arrive in fall of 2014 following completion of the "Touch First" interface for Windows earlier in the year.

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Mac Pro CPU Upgradeability Confirmed With Processor Swap

Mac Pro CPU Upgradeability Confirmed With Processor Swap

Following the release of the Mac Pro, a quick teardown by Other World Computing (OWC) revealed that the tower's Intel Xeon E5 processor was socketed and removable, theoretically allowing for future upgrades. All CPUs in the Mac Pro were found to use the same LGA 2011 socket standardized on the Mac Pro's motherboard. 

Today OWC confirmed that the Mac Pro's processor is indeed upgradeable, successfully replacing the default Intel E5–1650 V2 6-core 3.50Ghz processor with an Intel E5–2667 V2 8-core 3.30GHz processor with 25MB of L3 cache, an option not offered by Apple. The upgraded processor gave OWC's machine a 30 percent multi-processor performance boost, outperforming Apple's standard 8-core option with a Geekbench score of 27004 vs. 24429. 

With a replaceable CPU, customers can purchase more affordable lower-configuration Mac Pros that can be updated in the future as processor prices drop. Prices for multi-core processors today remain high, with the CPU OWC used from Intel priced at $2000. Apple's own CPU upgrade options range in price from $500 to $3500. Based on the 3.7Ghz quad-core Intel Xeon E5 with 10MB of L3 cache, pricing from Apple is as follows:

- 3.5GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5 with 12MB of L3 cache: +$500 

- 3.0GHz 8-core Intel Xeon E5 with 25MB of L3 cache: +$2000 

- 2.7GHz 12-core Intel Xeon E5 with 30MB of L3 cache: +$3500 

The upgradeable CPU in the Mac Pro is a deviation from standard practice for Apple, with most consumer-oriented Macs featuring soldered processors. Along with a removable CPU, Mac Pro buyers are also able to upgrade memory and other components. In a recent teardown, iFixit gave the Mac Pro a repairability score of 8 out of 10, highlighting the easily accessible internal components and the non-proprietary screws. 

Apple's Mac Pro is currently available exclusively through the online Apple Store. Due to low supply and high demand, new orders are not expected to ship until February or later, but customers who placed orders shortly after the computer went on sale have begun receiving units.

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AT&T Hits Back at T-Mobile with Up to $450 in Credits for Switchers

AT&T Hits Back at T-Mobile with Up to $450 in Credits for Switchers

Over the past year, att_t-mobile_logosT-Mobile US has been shaking up the U.S. carrier market with its "Un-carrier" plans, the addition of the iPhone to its device lineup, and a frequent device upgrade program, enticing several other major carriers to make changes to their own services to align with T-Mobile's offerings. 

Going beyond recent moves to uncouple device and service costs as T-Mobile has done, AT&T today announced that it is offering up to $450 in credits for customers switching to the carrier from T-Mobile. The offer consists of two parts: up to $250 for trading in their current smartphone as part of the carrier's usual trade-in plan and an additional $200 for transferring their wireless service to AT&T.

Beginning Jan. 3, under the limited-time offer, T-Mobile customers who switch to AT&T can trade-in their current smartphone for a promotion card of up to $250, which can be used toward AT&T products and services. Trade-in values will vary based on make, model and age of the smartphone, but many of the latest and most popular smartphones will qualify for a value of $250. T-Mobile customers can receive an additional $200 credit per line when they transfer their wireless service to AT&T and choose an AT&T NextSM plan, buy a device at full retail price or activate a device they currently own.

Last month, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson noted that the long-standing U.S. wireless business model of carriers providing device subsidies in exchange for service contracts is no longer economically feasible. By uncoupling device costs from service, carriers believe they can offer customers more flexibility when it comes to deciding about device upgrades while still allowing customers to spread out their significant hardware costs through payment plans. 

Following last year's series of Un-carrier announcements from T-Mobile, the company is set to announce the next stage of its program next week at CES. Details have yet to surface, but hints and rumors have suggested that the carrier may be making some changes to encourage family plan users to switch carriers, perhaps through subsidizing early termination fees imposed by other carriers. 

The future of T-Mobile does, however, remain up in the air, as parent company Deutsche Telekom has been looking to exit the U.S. market. Following a failed attempt by AT&T to acquire T-Mobile US in 2011, Sprint has been reported to be mulling its own offer for T-Mobile that could allow the combined carrier to rival the much larger Verizon and AT&T. 

Update: In an email to Re/code, T-Mobile CEO John Legere calls AT&T's new offer a "desperate move".

“This is a desperate move by AT&T on the heels of what must have been a terrible Q4 and holiday for them,” Legere said in an e-mail to Re/code. “Consumers won’t be fooled… nothing has changed, customers will still feel the same old pain that AT&T is famous for. Just wait until CES to hear what pain points we are eliminating next. The competition is going to be toast!” [...] 

“We used AT&T’s cash to build a far superior network and added ‘un-carrier’ moves to take tons of their customers – and now they want to bribe them back,” Legere said. “I’m flattered that we have made them so uncomfortable!”

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What should we expect from Apple in 2014? iWatch, iPhone 6, iPad Pro?

What should we expect from Apple in 2014? iWatch, iPhone 6, iPad Pro?

2013 was a great year for Apple. Of course, analysts might have us believe otherwise, but Apple sold an incredible number of phones and tablets while keeping things solid in the laptop/desktop market. Ignoring sales numbers for a second, Apple released a fantastic range of new products. Perhaps its best yet. Earlier in the year we saw the new, faster MacBook Air which many tech reviewers agree is the best laptop ever made. iOS 7 marked a change in direction for the iPhone and iPad’s operating system, ditching skeuomorphic design and textures with flatness, light font and bright colors. iOS 7 was re-engineered under the hood to give app developers much more to play with including background app refreshing and the ability to hook up physical gamepads. We also saw the awesome iPad Air and the breathtaking Mac Pro.

All in all, if I was to round up my feelings on last year, it’s that it was a prelude to a new phase of product design and innovation. Including a 64-bit chip inside the new iDevices shows us that Apple is thinking big for future mobile computing. Touch ID shows us that the company wants to kick-start a more secure environment for its users. Mac Pro shows that Apple still knows how to innovate at an astonishing level. This is the professional workstation for years to come.

I guess the biggest disappointment of the year (or two of them) was : rumors/leaks and analysts. Before the new iPhones and iPads were announced, we knew exactly what to expect thanks to some accurate and frequent leaks and rumors. Also, analysts throughout the year kept on telling Apple what it needed to do to “succeed”. The problem here is that so many analysts have a faulty scale of success. For them, it’s all about stock value and market share. Apple’s more interested in making great, profitable products. Apple sold loads, and made a lot of money. Its profits still made up the vast majority of the smartphone industry, with only Samsung making any significant profits and that mostly from low-end smartphones. Most other manufacturers struggled to make profit, many (including HTC and BlackBerry) lost millions.

But what does the next year hold for Apple?

One thing that’s certain about Apple is that it has a single-minded focus on what it wants to achieve. It’s not a company easily swayed by the movements of other manufacturers, or by Wall Street performance. As Carl Icahn has also found in recent weeks, it’s also not easily persuaded by anyone, regardless of how much they’ve invested in the company. Some may see this as arrogance, pride or stubbornness. I see it as necessary. Panic releasing “innovative” products isn’t enough. A steady improvement is a much better tactic.

iPhone 6

iPhone 6 concept by iPhoneSoft.fr

Please let it have a bigger screen! It’s the one feature tech enthusiasts have been demanding for ages. Apple appeased them slightly with the iPhone 5 in 2012, making the screen longer. One thing I think we can be sure of with this year’s new iPhone is that it’ll have a new design. For almost as long as the iPhone’s existed, they’ve released a new form factor every two years. We had 3G/3GS, 4/4S and 5/5s/5c. I can’t even begin to predict what the phone might feature different from the current crop of iPhones, but it’ll almost certainly have a very familiar front face. Touch ID is here to stay, which means the home button is here to stay.

Apple’s biggest challenge with creating a larger screen is deciding on a resolution. It can’t go with industry standard 720p or 1080p panels. It’d make it more difficult than necessary for developers to optimized their apps for the new screen and resolution. Perhaps the screen would only be slightly larger and have exactly the same resolution as the iPhone 5s/5c, but feature a slightly lower pixel density. For instance, if the same 1136×640 pixels graced a 4.5-inch panel, it’d have a density of around 290ppi, which Apple could still argue was a Retina display.

My biggest question for the iPhone 6 is whether there’ll be two versions. With iPhone 5s and 5c we got one premium, glass and metal device and one more playful and colorful device. Both are fantastic and offer something different. Will the iPhone 6 have a plastic, colorful sibling? Who knows. If it does, it would see Apple have 4 different iPhones on the market at the same time. I cannot for one second imagine that Apple would get rid of the iPhone 5c or 5s after just 12 months.

One thing is for sure, Apple has to kill of the 30-pin connector for good, which means the 4s is a certain casualty of 2014.

iOS 8

iOS 8 will almost certainly be unveiled at WWDC in June this year. What it’ll feature, I can’t even guess. I could list all the things I’d like it to have, but they’d be the same bunch of features I’ve been wanting for years: Better Notifications, better multitasking etc.. One thing we won’t see is a drastic change in user interface.

Where we will see change is under the hood and in the list of APIs available to developers. Perhaps one of those will be an ability for certain apps to make use of Touch ID. The key here – again – is security. Apple’s engineers will need to make an API available that allows temporary access to the fingerprint data secured inside the A7’s secure enclave. Even Apple itself doesn’t store or have access to that data, but it could come in incredibly useful in particular apps such as mobile banking, password/locker/wallet apps. One thing is certain: Apple did not spend a lot of time, money and energy to develop an awesome fingerprint scanner purely for unlocking your phone or allowing iTunes purchases. It will go much deeper than that, and will make its way across the entire iOS device range eventually, including iPads.

iPad

iPad Pro concept by MacRumors

Although we’ve seen rumors of a larger iPad Pro, I expect the iPad lineup to be the one that sees the least change in 2014. iPad Air just got released and will likely be the flagship tablet for the next couple of years. Although its design will likely remain, you can expect the internal components to be upgraded in line with the new iPhone and operating system. If I’m 100% completely honest, I don’t think I’d mind that much if the iPad range wasn’t updated at all this year. It’s hard to see how either the Retina iPad mini or iPad Air can be improved (apart from adding Touch ID and a new processor).

Breaking new ground?

iWatch concept

The big question, or biggest question, for Apple in 2013 is whether or not it’s going to venture in to unfamiliar territory. Will we see anything new and innovative from Apple? We’ve been waiting since 2010, and it feels about time. It’d also be the first time it will have done so since Steve Jobs passed away, and prove the “this wouldn’t happen under Jobs” crowd wrong. If it does break new ground, where will it do so?

The biggest expectation for most of us is that Apple will make a smartwatch at some point soon. Or – at least – some form of wearable technology. If there is an iWatch on the horizon, the best way to predict what it’s going to feature is to try and remember Apple’s way of working, its mentality and focus. It’s not going to try and compete spec-for-spec with Samsung’s ridiculous Galaxy Gear.

Firstly, it’s got to be different. The iMac was different to every other PC on the market, the iPod was different to the MP3 players of the day, as were iPhone and iPad in their respective markets. It’s why I find it hard to imagine than an iWatch will have a traditional watch design. It has to be a trend-setter and that means it needs to be instantly recognizable. Traditionally, Apple likes to focus on making things really easy and getting them to “magically” “just work”. You’d expect that it might hook up with your iPhone to show you important notifications, access Siri and tell the time as well as track your movements and help keep you fit. In my mind, it’ll be functions from the Pebble and Nike Fuelband but in to something that looks like it was designed by a team up of Rolls Royce and Armani. Really, this is all just guessing.

As for the elusive TV set, I don’t see it. I have no real reason except that the market is very well established, and breaking in to it with any significant impact will take something affordable and incredible.

Leadership

Apple’s spent the past few months acquiring talent to join its executive team including Burberry’s former CEO as head of retail, a couple of guys from the Nike design studios and – more recently – a former NYT design director. Although there’s clear change with a focus on innovation and design, we’ll also have had a full 12 months with Craig Federighi and Sir Jony Ive working collaboratively together to enhance software and hardware on both the Mac and iOS side. Jony has an incredibly eye for industrial design and manufacturing processes, while Craig has enthusiasm and an almost child-like charm when he presents on stage.

“Apple is Doomed” Stories

They won’t go away. Because they make good traffic, even if completely unfounded and based on the misinterpretation of unimportant metrics.

Wrap-up

Leaks from the supply chain are getting harder and harder to stop, so the chances that Apple will surprise us with the iPhone and iPad updates this year are slim. We’ll more than likely start seeing hardware leaks in the next few months, with more and more parts and rumors accelerating to a crescendo in the latter half of 2014.

One thing that is worth watching is the smartphone industry as a whole. It’s almost completely saturated now in the West. Both tablet and smartphone markets are growing exponentially in developing countries like China, India and Brazil. But, those countries are mostly seeing sales of devices below $400. As we know, Apple’s not interested in that sector of the market. That said, if other manufacturers keep on losing money the way they are, it’ll leave only Apple and Samsung to battle it out. Something has to give soon. BlackBerry is only just hanging on for dear life and HTC is struggling. Motorola and Nokia’s futures were secured – for the time being – by being swallowed up by software companies (Google and Microsoft). It makes you worry that those who haven’t might not make it much longer than 12-24 months.

All in all, Apple should have another solid year. With the China Mobile deal finally wrapped up, Apple’s iPhone sales will continue to grow, as will profits, and we know the leadership is keen to keep on innovating as if it’s trying to make its way out of near-brankruptcy, even though its financial situation is about as far as possible from the precarious days of the late 1990s. I’m looking forward to 2014 more than any other year previous, and can’t wait to see if Cupertino will surprise us.

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Take a sneak peek at the phones, tablets and smartwatches coming to CES 2014

Take a sneak peek at the phones, tablets and smartwatches coming to CES 2014

The new year always starts with a bang in the tech world, thanks to the Consumer Electronics Show kicking off in Las Vegas on January 7. Last year, CES was attended by more than 150,000 people, and was host to a variety of major consumer electronics announcements. This year is expected to be equally as exciting, and to make sure you’re fully prepared, here’s a rundown of all the mobile industry news, rumors and teasers we’ve heard so far.
Samsung may focus on tablets
Rumors have spread Samsung may have the Galaxy S5 ready for CES 2014, but if it does, the new device will be shown off behind closed doors, and not to just anyone. Despite the lack of new flagship phone, Samsung has named checked its Exynos processor range, saying a new version will be unveiled at the show. We don’t have any details yet, but there’s speculation it may be a 64-bit challenger to Apple’s A7 chip.
Samsung may add another tablet to its already extensive range, this time named the Galaxy Note Pro. The slate is rumored to have a large 12.2-inch screen with a 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution, equalling the 2014 version of the Galaxy Note 10.1. It’s possible the tablet will run Android 4.4 KitKat, with Samsung’s TouchWiz over the top.
In addition to the Note Pro, Samsung may also introduce the Galaxy Tab 3 Lite, which could have a very low price tag, plus a pair of unnamed tablets, one with a 10.5-inch screen and the other with a 13.3-inch display. According to SamMobile, Samsung has four tablets ready for the first three months of 2014, all of which could be revealed during CES 2014.
As for its smartphone line, there has been talk of a Lite version of the Galaxy Note 3, with lesser specs and therefore a lower price. If it doesn’t arrive at CES, then it may come during MWC 2014 in February.
Archos to introduce wearable tech
Archos SmartwatchArchos has confirmed it’ll be revealing a set of wearable devices during CES. We’re to expect a range of products under its Connected Self brand, including a Pebble-like smartwatch, a fitness tracker, a Wi-Fi scale, and a blood pressure monitor. We should see more than one watch, and they could all connect with both Android and iOS hardware, with prices starting from $80. The fitness wristband will monitor steps and calories burned, and have a battery which should last seven days.
Sony could come with a new smartwatch
Sony’s CEO Kazuo Hirai is one of CES’s “Tech Titans,” and will be giving a keynote address, so it’s reasonable to expect the company to come armed with some exciting new products. An international version of the Xperia Z1 F (AKA the Xperia Z1 Mini) has been discussed for a while, so its arrival at the show is a possibility. Another phone on the cards is the Xperia Z2.
We’re not sure about the name, as the Z1 isn’t that old and hardly due for replacement, but the specs are intriguing. According to rumors, the screen will measure 5.5-inches and have a 1080p screen, a 20.7-megapixel camera may be fitted to the rear, and the phone could have 3GB of RAM. Android 4.4 KitKat could be installed.
Despite already having updated its smartwatch recently, an FCC filing seems to indicate we should expect another smartwatch from Sony very soon. It’s supposed to be equipped with NFC and Bluetooth, and has been described as a “Bluetooth Wrist Notifier.”
Asus could bring tablets and smartphones
While most other manufacturers aren’t sharing their CES plans, Asus has released a pair of teaser videos giving us a glimpse of what it’ll reveal at the show. The first suggested we’d be getting both a dual-boot Windows 8/Android tablet and a stock Windows 8 model, while the second hints at a series of smartphones.

Asus is best known for its tablets and computers, and when it does release a smartphone, it’s a quirky device like the Padfone. In the latest teaser, we’re asked, “What’s your number,” and – weirdly – thousands of balls falling from the sky have the numbers four, five, and six printed on them. From this, we could assume Asus’ phones will have screens of a similar size.
Acer teases cool products
Acer Touch Cooler TeaserAcer has been dropping a few hints on its Facebook page about CES , although it has posted nothing explicit yet. It has published a cryptic image and a set of GIFs (yes, really), all with the tagline “A Touch Cooler.” It looks more like a tablet at this stage, but the size and operating system is a mystery.
Huawei could go large at CES
Huawei may have a busy CES planned. It may replace the big screen Ascend Mate – announced at last year’s show – with the equally massive Ascend Mate 2. The screen could remain at 6.1-inches with a 720p resolution, but the camera may be taken to 13-megapixels, and the processor to a 1.6GHz quad-core chip. Images supposedly showing the device have been leaked to Engadget China, indicating the phone may be slightly slimmer than before.
There’s also talk of a Huawei device named the PhoPad, which may end up being the Ascend Mate 2’s official name. There’s nothing much to go on yet, bar the fact Huawei has registered the name as a trademark.
At least one new Windows Phone from Huawei may also turn up, with the long-rumored Ascend W3 being the most likely candidate. Previous leaks have made it sound a little like the Lumia 925, with a metal chassis and a 4.5-inch screen, although the 8-megapixel camera probably won’t match up to Nokia’s PureView lens. Huawei may also reveal its first wearable technology products during the show.
Finally, the firm has posted a photo showing a Peter Fonda in Easy Rider-style, Stars and Stripes helmet on its Facebook page, with the words, “More speed is coming to Vegas.” This could be referencing the recently announced Honor 4 smartphone, which features an eight-core processor. Maybe the time has come for its U.S. debut?
T-Mobile to reveal Uncarrier 4.0
T-Mobile CEO John LegereExpect T-Mobile CEO John Legere to be in full flow at CES, where he’ll talk about the fourth stage in the company’s “Uncarrier” strategy. Having already covered two-year contracts, upgrade terms, and international calling, we’re excited to see what the network has planned next. There is some speculation it’ll be related to early termination fees, and smoothing the path for those subscribed to other networks to join T-Mobile.
LG may hold back on mobile until MWC
LG is expected to concentrate on televisions and other electronics hardware at CES, and its mobile output may be a little disappointing. There has been some discussion we’d see the LG G3, the G Arch smartwatch and the G Band fitness tracker at the Las Vegas event, but this was always highly speculative. Perhaps it’s saving the best for Mobile World Congress at the end of February?
HTC could surprise us, but will save the big news for later
Like LG, HTC could also be keeping its mobile announcements for MWC. The HTC One Two (or the HTC M8, if you prefer), is likely to come in February, all ready to be put on display in Barcelona. There are rumors about a sequel to the HTC Butterfly, a device which may come in January, which could be rebranded as the Droid DNA 2 in the U.S. This time, the phone may have a larger 5.2-inch 1080p screen, and a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor. We’ll have to wait and see if it arrives at CES.
New smartphone and first smartwatch possible from ZTE
Joining LG and HTC, ZTE may not have that much to reveal in Las Vegas. There are rumors of the Grand S II smartphone, replacing the Grand S unveiled at the show last year, although the specification is unknown. We’ve also been tracking rumors regarding ZTE’s smartwatch plans, and it’s possible we could see the first model at CES, but the company may also choose to wait until Mobile World Congress.

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