TSMC Reportedly In Charge of A8X Chip Production for 12.9-Inch iPad
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has landed the contract to produce Apple’s A8X chip that will be featured in the company’s forthcoming 12.9-inch iPad, according to Digitimes. The report notes that the processors will be intended for “Apple’s next-generation iPad to be released in early 2015,” and lines up with a report earlier year from Taiwan’s TechNews which shared similar details.
Apple’s A8X chip as seen on a supposed logic board for the iPad Air 2
Sources close to the production of the A8X also state that the chip is being manufactured with the same 20-nanometer process used for the A8 chip that is found in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. However, the report also notes that the A8X’s bigger system-on-a-chip may create potential yield rate issues for TSMC.
Recent part leaks have indicated that the A8X chip will likely debut with the iPad Air 2, which is expected to be unveiled alongside the next-generation Retina iPad mini at an event this Thursday.
It is unknown as to whether the company will also unveil the 12.9-inch iPad at the event, however the The Wall Street Journal noted that Apple was delaying mass production of the 12.9-inch iPad to deal with strong iPhone 6 Plus demand. A report from Bloomberg in August also claimed that the 12.9-inch iPad would be launching in 2015.
Bono apologizes for that U2 download you didn’t ask for
Apple and U2 may have touted that Songs of Innocence iTunes giveaway as a breakthrough music deal, but not everyone appreciated seeing an album forced into their collection. And apparently, front man Bono is now well aware of this — he just used a fan Q&A on Facebook to offer an apology of sorts. He’s sorry that U2 got “carried away” with its idea, and claims that the band was worried that years of work “might’nt be heard” if it had a typical launch.
Bono’s contrite response seems sincere, and you might appreciate it if you felt that Apple and U2 were too presumptuous about your interest in receiving free arena-friendly rock. Having said this, the apology rings a bit hollow. The damage has been done, and the band isn’t about to reverse a deal that reportedly earned it about $100 million. But hey, look at it this way — at least U2 is unlikely to repeat the ploy and have your friends once more questioning your taste in music.
Via: MacRumors
Source: U2 (Facebook)
Initial iPad Air 2 Supplies May Be Limited, 27-Inch Retina Display iMac Launching by End of 2014
Just about a day before Apple’s October 16 media event, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new report, saying that he expects supplies of iPad Air 2s to be constrained. His report also suggests that the 27-inch Retina Display iMac to begin shipments before the end of the year and reiterates that the new iPad Minis won’t be a significant upgrade.
Of the new products, we think the market will be more interested in iPad Air 2. However, as the poor yield rate of anti-reflective coating cover lens has delayed mass production, we estimate 2014 shipments of iPad Air 2 of 7- 9mn units, lower than the 12mn units of the then-new iPad Air shipments in 2013. We thus expect iPad Air 2 to contribute less to the supply chain than iPad Air did last year. We also don’t expect the event to boost supply chain shares much.
Kuo goes on to once again suggest that a significant update to the iPad Mini isn’t likely due to the iPad Air’s larger “contribution to Apple’s sales and earnings” and that iPad Mini is seeing limited development resources because Apple is working on a brand-new 12.9-inch iPad.
The 27-inch Retina Display iMac is likely to begin shipments before the end of 2014, with the 21-inch Retina Display arriving sometime in the second half of 2015. The delay between the two models, Kuo suggests, is because of how difficult it is to develop two different sized high resolution panels at the same time.
Finally, Kuo corroborates reports that new MacBook models will not make an appearance at the October 16 event as Apple is waiting on Intel’s Broadwell chips before significantly upgrading their laptop line. This includes the rumored 12-inch MacBook Air.
Apple is holding its press event this Thursday, October 16 at 10:00 AM PT on its Cupertino campus. Besides new iPads and iMacs, Apple is also expected to announce the public launch date for OS X Yosemite. MacRumors will provide live coverage from the event.
U2’s Bono Apologizes for Automatic ‘Songs of Innocence’ Album Download
In a Facebook interview where U2 band members answered questions asked by their fans, U2 frontman Bono apologized to iTunes users that were upset after the band’s new album “Songs of Innocence” was automatically downloaded on their devices without their consent.
In the apology, Bono says that the group “got carried away” with themselves and were worried that songs they had spent two years working on “might not be heard.”
Oops. Um. I’m sorry about that. I had this beautiful idea and we got carried away with ourselves.
Artists are prone to that kind of thing. Drop of megalomania, touch of generosity, dash of self-promotion, and deep fear that these songs that we poured our life into over the last few years might not be heard.
There’s a lot of noise out there. I guess we got a little noisy ourselves to get through it.
U2’s newest album, “Songs of Innocence,” was provided for free to 500 million iTunes users as part of Apple’s September 9 iPhone event. As part of the promotion, apple pushed the album to iTunes accounts, causing some devices to download the album without user permission.
The automatic downloads caused quite a bit of backlash, prompting Apple to create a tool to allow users to remove the free U2 album from their devices. Despite the negativity over the auto downloads, U2’s partnership with Apple appears to have been wildly successful, with “Songs of Innocence” seeing 26 million downloads from iTunes users. Additionally, more than 81 million users are said to have “experienced” the album, via iTunes, iTunes Radio, and Beats Music.
Apple’s deal with U2 and Universal Music Group is worth an estimated $100 million and is said to be part of a “long-term relationship” that will see Apple and U2 continuing to partner up to promote innovation in music.
iPad mini Roundup Updated
Apple’s Thursday, October 16 event may see the debut of a new Retina iPad mini. While rumors about the new mini have been overshadowed by the iPad Air, it is expected to see a processor upgrade and the addition of Touch ID.
‘Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel’ Launches Simultaneously on Mac, PC, and Consoles [Mac Blog]
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, launching today for Mac, PC, and consoles, is the third game in the popular Borderlands series. Set at a time in between the first and second Borderland titles, The Pre-Sequel, like its predecessors, is a first person shooter that incorporates RPG elements.
In Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, players can play as one of four characters, each with unique abilities: Nisha the Lawbringer, Athena the Gladiator, Wilhelm the Enforcer, and Claptrap the Fragtrap. The storyline will see gamers fighting alongside Handsome Jack in an attempt to save Pandora’s moon.
Discover the story behind Borderlands 2 villain, Handsome Jack, and his rise to power. Taking place between the original Borderlands and Borderlands 2, the Pre-Sequel gives you a whole lotta new gameplay featuring the genre blending fusion of shooter and RPG mechanics that players have come to love.
Float through the air with each low gravity jump while taking enemies down from above using new ice and laser weapons. Catch-a-ride and explore the lunar landscape with new vehicles allowing for more levels of destructive mayhem.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is launching simultaneously on the Mac, PC, and consoles (PS3 and Xbox 360), which is a bit unusual as major games typically launch on PC and consoles before a Mac version becomes available.
The Mac version of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, published by Aspyr, can be downloaded from Aspyr’s GameAgent.com, the Mac App Store [Direct Link], and Steam for $59.99.
GT Advanced Saw Production Troubles as Early as February
GT Advanced Technologies, Apple’s sapphire partner, may have been seeing production problems and missing technical milestones as early as February, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal that examines GT’s securities filings.
It’s widely known that Apple did not provide GT Advanced with a fourth and final $139 million loan payment aimed at giving the sapphire supplier a means to purchase vital equipment, but Apple also delivered its third payment to the company two months after it was expected.
GT was set to receive a $103 million payment in February of 2014, but did not receive the payment until April 2014, two months later, as it had failed to meet Apple’s requirements on time.
The third payment, of $103 million, was due in February, but Apple did not make it until April, according to GT’s securities filings. The final installment of $139 million was due in April, according to a GT securities filing. In August, GT said it expected the payment by October. But Apple never made the payment, because GT did not meet certain requirements, according to people familiar with the matter.
Shortly after GT Advanced missed its February payment, the company’s CEO, Thomas Gutierrez and its Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Squiller, set plans in motion to begin selling off stock. While the timing of their subsequent sales was subject to the schedules laid out in their trading plans, it is clear those plans were established after GT began having difficulties meeting its milestones.
Gutierrez set up a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 sale in March, which saw him selling more than 9,000 shares of GT Advanced stock on September 8, a day ahead of Apple’s iPhone announcement. Gutierrez also sold off stock throughout the year, netting more than $10 million before stock prices faltered after it became clear Apple was not using sapphire in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Squiller sold $1.2 million worth of stock in May and made plans to sell off additional shares throughout 2014, garnering another $750,000 before the company filed for bankruptcy. Squiller continues to hold more than 200,000 shares of GT stock, which have lost much of their value.
Apple did end up making a total of three loan payments to GT Advanced totaling $440 million after signing an agreement in October of 2013, and the company also reportedly tried to help the supplier meet the requirements to receive the fourth payment ahead of GT’s surprise Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
GT Advanced’s deal with Apple was highly favorable to the Cupertino-based company, with the sapphire supplier taking on all of the risk. Apple supplied the facility and the loan for the company to purchase equipment, but GT was required to meet technical milestones to receive the money and it also signed contracts that prevented it from selling its sapphire to other companies. Apple, meanwhile, was under no obligation to purchase GT’s sapphire.
Details about the deal’s deterioration have been coming out bit by bit, making it difficult to piece together exactly what went wrong. It appears that GT’s failed to produce sapphire up to Apple’s standards, leading the company to stick with Gorilla Glass instead of sapphire screens for its iPhones. GT Advanced has been able to supply little information on its bankruptcy filing, as it is bound by non-disclosure agreements that could see it paying $50 million in fines for each violation.
Apple and GT Advanced have asked to keep court documents sealed, but The Wall Street Journal today filed a motion asking the court make the documents public.
Following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, GT Advanced last week asked for permission to begin winding down operations at its Mesa, Arizona sapphire plant, suggesting the company plans to cease its sapphire production all together. Apple has said that it plans to focus on “preserving jobs” in Arizona, and is working with local and state officials as it considers its next steps.
Apple Likely Planning October 24 Launch Date for New iPads
With Apple’s October media event coming up later this week, the company has reportedly already begun shipping mass quantities of new product into the U.S. and appears to be setting up for a Friday, October 24 availability date, according to a source that has provided accurate information to MacRumors in the past.
The specific product being shipped was not identified by the source, but it likely is Apple’s rumored upcoming iPad, though it is not clear which model — the iPad Air 2, the Retina iPad mini 2, or both — is being transported.
Physical mockup of iPad Air 2 with Touch ID
The timing would be consistent with Apple’s usual strategy for such launches, coming just over a week after the product’s introduction. With the exception of major new category products like the Apple Watch or those for which there are severe production constraints, Apple typically unveils a product and ships it within a short period of time if not on the same day. Last year, Apple announced the iPad Air and Retina iPad mini on October 22 and launched the iPad Air on November 1, with the Retina iPad mini landing a few weeks later due to short supplies.
Based on these shipping estimates, Apple likely will announce its new iPad Air 2 and possibly an updated Retina iPad mini on Thursday with a target launch date of October 24. There is no word yet on the possibility of pre-orders, but if Apple does offer a pre-order period, it will likely start very soon after the event in order to allow shipments to be positioned for delivery on launch day.
iPad Air Roundup Updated
Apple is debuting its next-generation iPad Air this Thursday, with part leaks pointing towards an A8X chip, 2GB of RAM, and storage starting at 16GB. Rumors also suggest the updated tablet will feature Touch ID, an improved camera, a gold color option, and a new anti-reflective coating.
Macworld/iWorld Goes on Hiatus, No 2015 Event Planned
IDG today announced plans to put its annual Macworld/iWorld Expo on hiatus, which means the San Francisco event planned for 2015 will no longer take place. Macworld/iWorld, held annually, has long been one of the major Mac-based trade shows, dating back to 1985.
Macworld/iWorld will not take place in 2015 and the show is going on hiatus. The show saw a remarkable 30 year run that changed the technology industry, provided an important forum for Apple developers to bring new companies and products to market, delivered world class professional development to Apple product enthusiasts, and fostered the development of one of the most dynamic professional communities in the tech marketplace.
Though the shuttering of Macworld/iWorld comes as a surprise, the expo’s popularity has been on the decline in recent years. Prior to 2009, Apple attended the event and used it to unveil new products, drawing thousands of attendees, but the company pulled out of the conference after 2009 and instead began hosting all of its own events.
Along with the Macworld/iWorld hiatus, Macworld also recently laid off several of its editorial staff members and shut down its print magazine. IDG’s wording “hiatus” in the statement suggests that Macworld/iWorld could potentially return in the future, and the company still plans to hold its enterprise-focused MacIT event in 2015.
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