‘Angry Birds Stella’ Now Available for iOS Devices Worldwide [iOS Blog]

Angry Birds Stella, the latest entry in Rovio’s highly successful Angry Birds series, today launched for iOS devices. The game puts players in the role of lead character Stella and five of her bird friends as they protect their home of Golden Island from piggies through more than 120 playable levels.

Notable gameplay features include a new tap-to-hold mechanic to target attacks and
the ability to scan Hasbro’s interactive “Telepod” toys to bring different birds into play. Rovio will also be launching a new cartoon, animations, books and toys to complement the launch of Angry Birds Stella on iOS.

Angry Birds Stella is a free app for iOS devices and can be downloaded through the App Store. [Direct Link]

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Apple’s iWatch Pegged for 2015 Debut in Two Sizes With 8 GB Storage, Multiple Material Options

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a research note today with updated information on Apple’s rumored iWatch wearable device. Echoing earlier reports, Kuo believes Apple will unveil the iWatch at its upcoming September event, with sales starting in 2015. This early announcement would create a buzz about the product and provide developers with adequate time to prepare apps for this new device.

2.5-inch iWatch concept from SET Solution with curved, rectangular display
According to Kuo, the iWatch may have a rectangular design and will include 8GB of internal storage with 512MB LPDDR3. The wristwatch will be available in two screen sizes of 1.3 and 1.5-inches in order to accommodate different wrist sizes. Apple may use between two to four different casing materials, with aluminum and gold as two likely options.

The fact that wearable devices don’t need much memory explains our prediction of an 8GB version with 512MB built-in memory. We expect casing material to be of 2-4 different types, with aluminum the most likely as it has been widely used in Apple products. A gold casing option is also possible, to add a luxury image to the product. We believe iWatch will be rectangular in front/ panel side shape. And lastly, like some other wearable devices, we expect there to be a number of holes on the back side of the device that can be used to monitor users’ vital health signs such as heart rate.

Rumors have suggested the iWatch will include several sensors to monitor vital health statistics such as heart rate, sleep activity and more. The band likely will sync with the iPhone and integrate with iOS 8′s Health app, which will produce a comprehensive health profile using health and fitness data compiled from a variety of third-party sources.

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iPhone 6 May Lose Sapphire Display Cover, Gain 128 GB Storage Option

In a research note released today, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will be announced next week at Apple’s iPhone press event. Kuo believes Apple will stagger the launch with the 4.7-inch model arriving in mid-September and the 5.5-inch model following 5 to 10 weeks later.

Kuo believes both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models will face supply constraints at launch as demand likely will outpace Apple’s ability to manufacture the device. Labor shortages at Foxconn will impact the production of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, while the 5.5-inch faces an additional hurdle due to production issues with assembly and other components.

In line with earlier reports, Kuo says Apple will boost the internal storage of the iPhone to 128 GB. Both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models will ship with this higher capacity option. It is unclear whether Apple will add the 128 GB as a fourth storage option or drop the lower 16 GB model, selling the iPhone 6 only in 32, 64, and 128 GB capacities, although a 16 GB module has been seen on a leaked logic board and the earlier leaked schematic had referred to 16, 64, and 128 GB options..

Though he previously has stated select premium iPhone 6 handsets will ship with a sapphire glass option, Kuo, in this latest report, addresses the possibility of a sapphire cover, which he claims Apple is abandoning due to drop test issues. Kuo also claims the iPhone will have a programmable, side-mounted power button and an internal barometer sensor for navigation and health-related purposes.

Key spec forecasts – No sapphire cover lens, 128GB, built-in barometer pressure sensor & programmable power key

(1) Due to drop test issues, neither 4.7-inch nor 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will have a sapphire cover lens, we believe; (2) as Apple has strong bargaining power on NAND Flash price, and in a bid to meet the large capacity demand of consumers as well as to differentiate themselves from competing models, both 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will come with 128GB; (3) a built-in barometer can provide more indoor navigation applications and health-management applications relating to spirometry; and (4) we predict (discussed in an earlier report) that the power key will be moved from the upper position to the side. We now further predict that the power key could be programmable to be integrated with specific applications, giving more input options in addition to being a power switch.

Apple’s iPhone 6 event will be held on Tuesday, September 9 at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California. Besides the possibility of a 128GB model, Apple may also add a new A8 processor, an improved camera with image stabilization and an enhanced Touch ID to its next generation iPhone.

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Apple Said to Upgrade iPad Air With Gold Option and Anti-Reflective Laminated Display

In a bit of a surprise prediction, Apple may use its upcoming September 9 event to introduce the iPad Air 2 along with the iPhone 6 and iWatch, claims KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a research report released today. That plan would differ from Apple’s announcement schedules in recent years that have seen the company unveil the iPhone in September and the iPad in October at a second press event.

Physical mockup of the second-generation iPad Air
According to Kuo, Apple is preparing modest upgrades primarily for the iPad Air and not the iPad mini, because the larger iPad is more popular among consumers. While the iPad Air 2 is said to carry several improvements, including an anti-reflective display as previously rumored, the second-generation Retina iPad mini may receive only Touch ID support.

In light of limited development resources and the fact that iPad Air contributes more to Apple’s sales and earnings than iPad mini, we think that only iPad Air 2 will see a major upgrade in specs this year, including anti-reflective coating for the cover lens, full lamination for the touch panel, a gold-colored metal casing, an A8 processor, Touch ID/ fingerprint recognition and an 8-megapixel rear camera. iPad mini may be upgraded with fingerprint recognition, if any.

While Kuo doesn’t address whether the updated iPad Air will be thinner than the current model, a recent report from Digitimes claimed the device will indeed be thinner, and a laminated display could help Apple shave a small amount from the device’s thickness.

Kuo claims that the anti-reflective display and full lamination will push back availability of the iPad Air 2 until October due to production issues with this new display. This delay may be fairly immaterial, however, as Kuo predicts iPad sales will continue to lag due to tablet market dynamics that see customers retaining their older iPad models instead of upgrading.

Kuo has been among the most accurate analysts regarding Apple’s product plans, having been first to correctly peg a number of features and launches over the past several years. He has, however, had some misses and so it will be interesting to see if his iPad predictions pan out.

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iWatch With Curved OLED Display to Include NFC for Mobile Payments

Apple’s upcoming “iWatch”, reportedly set to be unveiled at next Tuesday’s media event, will include near field communications (NFC) technology, according to The Wall Street Journal. The technology, which has already been seen on a leaked iPhone 6 logic board, will likely be used to support a mobile payments initiative.

NFC wireless is central to Apple’s plans to incorporate so-called tap-to-pay into its mobile devices, allowing users to pay for goods and services using credit cards stored with iTunes, people close to Apple said.

The report goes on to claim the iWatch will be available in two sizes and carry a curved OLED display. And as extensively rumored, the device will include a variety of health and fitness sensors.

The report also reiterates recent claims that while the iWatch will be unveiled next week, it will not begin shipping until somewhat later, perhaps not until early 2015.

People familiar with Apple’s plans said it is unlikely that Apple will release the smartwatch this year, because the Cupertino, Calif., company is still working out engineering kinks in production. Earlier in the year, Apple had targeted a November release, these people said.

One person familiar with Apple’s suppliers said there is “no way” that it will be able to ship the iWatch this year. However, Apple hasn’t changed its timetable for component suppliers that are shipping parts as scheduled to Taiwan’s Quanta Computer Inc., the proposed device’s manufacturer.

Sources indicate Apple will accept pre-orders for the iWatch, but timing and pricing are unknown. A previous report from Re/code claimed Apple has been weighing pricing in the $400 range, although some models would be cheaper.

(Image: iWatch concept from ifyoucouldseethefuture.com)

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Drone Aerial Footage Reveals Mystery Flint Center Building for iPhone 6 Announcement

As part of its planned September 9th event, Apple is building a massive structure in front of the Flint Center for the Performing Arts on the De Anza College campus in Cupertino, California. The structure is covered by a white barricade that conceals the details of the building underneath.

Earlier photos gave us a hint of the building, but recent aerial footage captured using a drone piloted by Sachin Patel reveals the size and scope of the project (via 9to5Mac). The building sits in front of the Flint Center on top of the college’s Sunken Garden and wraps around the sides of a pre-existing sculpture.

Speculation about the building has run the gamut from performance stage to model home, with the most reasonable prediction suggesting Apple may use the venue for product demonstrations. Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 6 along with the iWatch at the event, which means it could use the building’s ample space to showcase any home automation or fitness features of its new hardware.

The Flint Center is the venue where Steve Jobs introduced the original Mac. Apple has not held an event at the location for some time, opting instead to announce new products at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts or its own Cupertino campus Town Hall theater. Due to this change in venue, it is not yet known whether Apple will be live streaming the announcement as it has done with its most recent press events. MacRumors, however, will be providing live coverage both on MacRumors.com and through the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Update: Shortly after this post was published, Apple confirmed it will be streaming its September 9th iPhone event to compatible Mac, iOS and Apple TV devices.

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Apple Supplier Catcher Accused of Endangering and Exploiting Factory Workers [iOS Blog]

One of Apple’s suppliers is once again being accused of labor violations, with both Green America and China Labor Watch claiming a Catcher factory in Suqian, China has endangered the health and safety of its workers. Catcher is responsible for producing casings for many of Apple’s products, including its MacBooks and iPads.

According to the report [PDF], Catcher has failed to provide adequate protective equipment for employees who handle toxic materials. The floor is said to be littered with aluminum-magnesium alloy shreddings and there are heavy amounts of dust in the air, which poses a health and fire safety risk. There are also locked safety exits preventing workers from leaving quickly during a disaster.

Fires and explosions are a major risk at supplier factories, and explosions at both Pegatron and Foxconn have caused major injuries in the past. At Catcher, workers have reportedly not participated in fire drills and have had poor safety training.

Other violations include student workers working long hours, excessive hours for all workers, forced overtime, and unpaid overtime for workers. Catcher is also said to be discriminating against potential employees based on age and the presence of tattoos.

“The health and safety violations found in this factory two years in a row are startling,” said Elizabeth O’Connell, campaigns director at Green America. “The lack of fire drill training and locked safety exits are inexcusable in a work environment that requires the handling of flammable materials. Additionally, the lack of safety training in this facility and improper handling of hazardous materials contributes to the risk of life-threatening emergencies.”

China Labor Watch initially reported its findings to Apple in 2013, and claims that though Apple promised to fix the issues, no progress has been made to improve worker conditions. Today’s report calls on Apple to “do what is necessary” to ensure that factory workers are treated according to the law, and it asks consumers to reach out to Apple by filling out an email form. Apple, for its part, has given a statement to The New York Times saying that it has worked to correct issues at Catcher.

Apple said its most recent annual audit of the Suqian plant, in May, had “found some concrete areas for improvement in Catcher’s operations, and we worked with Catcher to develop a corrective action plan.”

Apple often finds itself in the spotlight over the conditions at the factories where its product components are produced, and the company has demonstrated little tolerance for factories that violated its rules. It is an ongoing issue for Apple, however, given both the sheer number of suppliers and the fact that factories benefit from producing high quantities of products at low costs.

Apple has committed to ensuring that its suppliers live up to a strict code of conduct that prevents underage labor and provides safe, comfortable working and living conditions for workers. Apple maintains a Supplier Responsibility Team to audit supply chain facilities and it also participates in factory assessments by the Fair Labor Association.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

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