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Apple Inc. shows interest in entering Car business to rival Google and Tesla Motors

Feb 14, 2015 by Karla Fetrow Leave a Comment

There are widespread speculations that Apple is planning to enter the car manufacturing business. The move could see Apple joining the ranks of Google and Tesla Motors in the high-tech electric car industry. Apple is said to have already assembled a team to advance its interest in the car business. However, it is currently unclear whether the company would only seek to supply more software to the increasingly computerized auto market or would design its own branded vehicles.

Whether Apple chooses to design its own cars or supply software and automation solutions for the auto market, the company has the resources to do that. The company finished 2014 with $178 billion in cash stockpile, having earned a record $18 billion in the December quarter.

Apple’s automotive project reportedly won the approval of CEO, Tim Cook, about a year ago. The project was put under the care of the company’s VP and former Ford Motors engineer, Steve Zadesky.

Besides hiring people with experience in the auto industry from renowned companies such as Mercedes Benz, Apple’s automotive team has also met with a number of vehicle manufacturers abroad.

Some analysts have cited that if Apple chooses to make its own cars, the company would likely develop the design of the car and outsource the manufacturing job. That is what Apple does with iPhone and its other products.

Profit concern

Analysts have cited that profits margins in the auto industry are very attractive, yet technology companies such as Apple seek large margins of 20% and above. The fact that Apple may not be able to get the kind of profits it desires from making cars may mean that the company has a different agenda with its automotive project.

Lower barriers to entry

It has been cited that the barriers to entry in the electric vehicle business are lower today than they were in the past years. For example, there are a lot of vehicle components that people can buy off the shelf without the need to start from scratch. That explains why there could be more technology companies entering the market.

Apple 12-inch MacBook Air Retina 2015 model details and Release Date

Feb 8, 2015 by Vamien McKalin Leave a Comment

Apple is expected to launch a new 12-inch MacBook Air in the coming months. The new device is expected to bring forth a new design language to Apple’s future line-up of ultra-portable laptop computers.

The device is expected to be lighter and thinner than the 13-inch and 11-inch hardware designs. Furthermore, it is possible Apple might begin selling the hardware in the second quarter of 2015. At the moment, we can’t tell how much the 12-inch MacBook Air would cost, but that shouldn’t stop folks from being extremely excited.

Several weeks in the past, an alleged huge information leak revealed a lot about the new 12-inch MacBook Air Retina. The leak info claims that Apple will incorporate a new keyboard due to the new design of the ultra-portable. Spaces between each key may shrink to accommodate the new size.

When it comes down to connectivity, users should expect a USB type C connector. For those who are unaware, this connector is capable of charging the MacBook Air, along with supporting Thunderbolt.

This is a huge drop from the range of connectors found on previous models of the MacBook Air. We’re glad Apple is going down this path because ultra-portables should never have a million connectors in the first place. Keep the design clean and simple as possible.

When it comes down to the type of processor fans should expect, several reports have claimed Apple plans to go with the 5th generation Intel Core. This should make for longer battery life, and a machine that runs cooler when compared to previous models.

A report from DigiTimes claims Apple is on the verge of selling 10 to 15 percent more MacBooks in 2015 when compared to 2014. If everything goes according to plan, the company could ship over 20 million computers this year, but that’s not a huge improvement over the 19+ million computers shipped in 2014.

Sources: [9To5Mac, DigiTimes]

Apple Minivan Spotted X-Shaped Cameras Attached: Driverless Cars?

Feb 4, 2015 by Vamien McKalin Leave a Comment

Apple appears to me making waves compete aggressively with Google on its own turf. The company is currently testing a few mysterious vehicles that have mounted cameras attached to them. Chances are these vehicles could be for a possible Street View-like feature, or maybe the Cupertino giant is working on its own fleet of driverless cars.

The general consensus at the moment is the spotted cars that resemble Google’s own Street View cars, are more than likely not driverless cars, but cars with several cameras and sensors designed for taking pictures.

The cars spotted have an X-shaped device on top, which is similar to the Google Street View vehicles. There is also a few spinning devices, and AppleInsider speculates these devices could be that of the LiDAR sensors. LiDAR sensors are used to craft map imagery by using certain lasers, and from what we understand, these sensors are also used in driverless cars.

However, that doesn’t mean the Apple cars are driverless because the sensor technology is dated, and probably wouldn’t be efficient for driverless cars today. The first batches were launched back in 2008, and while they could still be in use by some companies today, we doubt Apple would set itself back with old technology to test driverless vehicles.

In addition, we also do not believe Apple is interested in having its own fleet of driverless cars roaming the nation’s streets, at least not for now. We suspect the company might be more interested in having its software as a central part of the experience rather than owning a fleet.

We also need to consider how far behind Apple is at the moment. Google is already planning to launch driverless taxi cars in the next 5-years; there is no way Apple could begin testing right now and manage to have its own fleet during Google’s projected timeframe.

It could be done, but chances are Apple would have to acquire a company that is already well ahead.

Apple to turn GT Advanced Technologies Sapphire plant into solar powered data center

Feb 3, 2015 by William Harper Leave a Comment

According to some of the recent reports, Apple Inc is investing nearly $2 billion to revamp the unused sapphire crystal plant into a data center. Cupertino giant previously had an agreement with the GT Advanced Technologies to manufacture sapphire crystal glass for the upcoming iPhone 6 duo, however, due to several unavoidable reasons Apple Inc denied to make any deal with the company. The loss resulted in GT to go bankrupt and file a lawsuit against the Cupertino giant.

In an official statement said, “We’re proud to continue investing in the U.S. with a new data center in Arizona, which will serve as a command center for our global networks,” Kristin Huguet, a spokeswoman for Apple. The proposal, as per the sources, is one of the biggest investment company has ever made. Apple Inc plan to turn the abandoned plant into a data center that will help it strengthen the backbone for various services including iTunes.

Company said that they would be using it as a data center as well as a command center for the other data centers and network services, which includes iTunes, SIRI and App Store. Company also mentioned that they will continue building the center over next ten years and will maintain to run it for at least 30 years.

Along with the proposal, Apple Inc is also going to generate nearly 600 jobs in engineering and construction work. Since GT Advanced Technologies went bankrupt, company had to shut down all its services and wind up its operations. However, the closing also left nearly 650 employees out of their jobs. Apple has promised to take almost half of them back with this proposed data center.

Back in the year 2014, both the companies settled on manufacturing the sapphire crystal glass for the upcoming products, and for that Apple Inc financed GT with nearly $600 million. GT had to return this amount by the end of 2021. However, Apple turned back to use Gorilla Glass 3, leaving GT bankrupt.

Apple ties with Samsung for World’s Largest Smartphone manufacturer

Jan 29, 2015 by Muhammad Asad Rafi Leave a Comment

Today, we live in a world where smartphones have become a huge part of our lives and as they are becoming really common, their sales are increasing as well. According to Strategy Analytics, there was a 31% increase in the global smartphone shipments, a record 1.3 billion smartphones were shipped globally. But when there is a talk about smartphones, the two biggest brands that can’t be missed are Apple and Samsung. From almost 2012, Samsung has been ruling the market as the largest smartphone vendor, but after the Q4 2014 results, Apple and Samsung both tied as they sold 74.5 million devices in Q4 2o14.

However, this is actually a win for Apple because they saw a 18% increase in the sale compared to same quarter last year, and Samsung faced a dip of 30% in their market share. Samsung quarter report was one of their worst as well, facing a loss of around 27% in their profits. Meanwhile on the other hand, Apple has their best quarter with all time high sales, and also shipping more than 74.5 million iPhones is not a joke at all. Apple saw a 30% increase in their revenue as well.

The merger of Lenovo-Motorola able them to capture a market share of 6.5%, and the Chinese brand Huawei holds a 6.3% of market share as well. The remaining market share belongs to other small and big smartphone vendors, but both Apple and Samsung have a same market share of 19.6%. The growth was particularly seen in areas like China, India and Africa.

The way Apple iPhone sales are booming and Samsung sales are relatively going down, Samsung must come up with new design and features for their flagship smartphones if they want to face Apple in 2015. Otherwise it will be a matter of time that Apple will take over the market from Samsung, and become the largest smartphone vendor in the world.

Do you think that Apple’s famous iPhone will become a huge disaster for Samsung smartphone sales? Let us know in the comment box below.

Source: Strategy Analytics

Top analysts predict that Apple Watch and new 12-inch MacBook Air will hit shelves in March

Jan 26, 2015 by Ambika Mahajan Leave a Comment

Analyst predicts that the much awaited Apple product, the Apple Watch, will go for sale in March inspite of component shortages making things look difficult at the moment, the prediction was made by KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo, who has the reputation for being the world’s most accurate Apple analyst.

The Apple Watch will go on sale in March, and though component shortages may be an issue, about 5 million of the devices are likely to be sold in the first quarter, according to MacRumors. Apple Inc. should make an official announcement in that regard soon, adds Kuo. He goes on to predict that 2.8 million Apple Watches will be sold in March while a total of 5 million devices will be sold in the first quarter of 2015.

Earlier, Mark Gurman from 9to5Mac had also made a similar forecast about the release of the Apple watch.

The watch, first unveiled by the manufacturer in September 2014, will surely be one of the most anticipated gadgets of the year. They have only mentioned an early 2015 release for their watch without being specific about the date.

“Before the device becomes available, Apple will reveal additional information on the watch, including battery specifics and pre-order details,” said Kuo.

A story on MacRumors has suggested that the smart watch will need nightly recharging, but hasn’t offered other battery information. Who knows- the battery life could me much longer or shorter than what is being mentioned.

The watch will come with a ring which will warn the wearers when they have been sitting for too long, so as to help them keep tab on their health. Not only that, it will allow music buffs to hear music from their wrist by connecting to Bluetooth headphones!

Besides the Apple Watch, the manufacturer will also release a 12 inch MacBook Air over the same quarter.

Apple beats Samsung on home turf during Q4 2014

Jan 26, 2015 by Ambika Mahajan Leave a Comment

So, size does matter. Even to an iPhone! As apple increased the screen size of their devices to 4.7 inch and 5.5 inch for their latest mobiles iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus respectively, their market share has gone up significantly, eating into that of their nearest rivals Samsung’s share as revealed by a survey carried out by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).

Over the quarter ending December 31, 2014 the two formidable handset manufacturers accounted for nearly 75percent of the mobile phone sales in the US, the survey showed. With more than half the smartphone sales during the previous quarter being credited to Apple, Samsung could only manage 26percent of the total smartphone sales while LG came a distant third with 11percent of the sales volume.

No other mobile-phone maker could muster even 5 percent in the United States.

“CIRP’s data supports the notion that competing with Apple and Samsung in the US mobile market can be a daunting task. For the last few years, Apple and Samsung have captured all of the profits in the US mobile space. All other handset makers, including LG, BlackBerry, Motorola and Amazon, have been left with the scraps,” mentioned Cnet.

Not only the US, the home market for the Korean giant has also showed greater interest in products by the Apple flagship over the last quarter.

Over 33percent of the smartphone sales in South Korea in November could be attributed to November, heralding the beginning of a new era in the smartphone market in the country where no other foreign brand had managed to get more than 20percent share earlier.

“No foreign brand has gone beyond the 20 percent market share mark in the history of Korea’s smartphone industry,” said Tom Kang, Counterpoint’s research director in South Korea. “But iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have made a difference here, denting the competition’s phablet sales.”

Apple also accounted for 51percent of the smartphone sales in Japan during the month of November.

Samsung is facing increasing competition all over the world, a fact that has been acknowledged by highly placed executives at the company’s headquarters. While its share in the US market is falling, it is under great threat from cheaper brands like Xiaomi and Huawei in China.