Uncertainty Over Apple’s Sapphire Plans for iPhone 6 Remains as Analyst Estimates Vary Widely

Debate among analysts over just how widespread Apple’s use of sapphire displays will be in the iPhone 6 continues to rage, with The Korea Herald reporting on a new research note from NPD DisplaySearch Korea’s Brian Huh putting Apple’s sapphire display capacity at 45 million units for the iPhone 6 launch. With the iPhone 6 predicted to launch in an initial batch nearing 70 million units, Apple would not be able to use sapphire across the entire lineup.

“Apple’s sapphire material supplier, GT Advanced Technologies, appears capable of producing the glass for around 45 million smartphones. Still, only the iPhone 6’s most premium models may adopt it due to its high cost and a possible supply (set aside) for the iWatch,” said Brian Huh, a senior analyst at NPD DisplaySearch Korea, at its touch conference in Seoul.

He said the 64GB version of either the 5.5-inch or 4.7-inch model is likely to adopt the glass. The iPhone 6 will reportedly come in 32GB and 64GB models.

Separately, Huh also believes Apple will eventually use sapphire for its laptop displays, although manufacturing complexities and costs at those sizes would be challenging for Apple.

Huh is certainly not the first to suggest that sapphire may be limited to high-end iPhone 6 models, with previous reports from Taiwanese media and KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo making similar claims.

A second research report from JPMorgan publicized by Taipei Times (via GforGames) claims Apple’s sapphire display production may only be around 10 million units through the end of the year.

“Sapphire covers will also be restricted to high-end iPhones, possibly the 128GB [gigabyte] ones,” the brokerage said in the report. […]

“Due to various challenges related to the new cover material, we believe the production output for sapphire covers will be low,” JPMorgan analysts said. “Sapphire ingot yield rates could be as low as below 50 percent for this size, and finished sapphire smartphone covers may cost as much as US$40 to US$45 versus below US$10 for finished Gorilla glass.”

In line with another recent report, JPMorgan also believes even the iWatch may see sapphire limited to certain models.

On the flip side, one of the staunchest advocates claiming Apple will be able to launch sapphire displays throughout the iPhone 6 lineup has been Matt Margolis, who has been digging deeply into regulatory and import filings related to the sapphire plant in Arizona being run by Apple and GT Advanced Technologies. Margolis early this year pegged Apple’s sapphire display capacity in excess of 100 million units per year, and perhaps as high as 200 million units, with the facility in operation since very early this year.

Margolis reiterated those predications just last month, noting that the plant 2,500 furnaces on hand to handle larger sapphire boules that would give Apple plenty of capacity to cover all models of the iPhone 6 as well as the rumored iWatch.

Facebook Launches Exclusive ‘Mentions’ App for Verified Public Figures [iOS Blog]

Facebook today launched a new Mentions app, designed for “actors, athletes, musicians, and other influencers,” allowing them to “discover and join conversations” on Facebook.

Limited to Facebook users who are “verified public figures,” Mentions aims to let celebrities interact with fans. The app displays mentions to let users know what the public is saying about them, and it has tools for sharing status updates, photos, and videos, much like the standard Facebook app. It also includes a feature that allows celebrity users to host live question and answer sessions directly from their iPhone.

Along with tools for interaction with fans, Mentions will also display trending conversations, so celebrities can share an opinion on popular news.

Facebook Mentions is currently only available to verified public figures using Pages. To gain access to Mentions, visit http://facebook.com/mentions.

Mentions is a new way for actors, athletes, musicians and other influencers to discover and join conversations on Facebook.

– See what fans are saying – Start a conversation with people and influencers who are talking about you.
– Tell your story – Share updates, photos and videos and host live Q&As directly from your phone.
– Join popular conversations
– Discover what’s trending and add your voice to the story.

According to Facebook product managers (via Re/code), celebrities who have tested Mentions use Facebook twice as much as before. Actors like Tyrese Gibson have been experimenting with the app for several months, with Gibson reportedly using Mentions to share the famous video where Dr. Dre bragged about being a billionaire ahead of Apple’s Beats acquisition announcement.

While Mentions will remain limited to verified public figures for the time being, Facebook says it has plans to expand access to conventional Facebook users in the future.

Mentions can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Apple ID Two-Step Verification Now Available in 59 Countries [iOS Blog]

Apple today expanded its two-step verification feature for Apple IDs to 48 additional countries, bringing the total number of countries able to access two-step authentication to 59.

Initially noticed by 9to5Mac new countries receiving the feature include China, France, India, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Thailand, Switzerland, and many more across Asia, South America, and Europe.

First launched in March of 2013, two-step verification is designed to provide Apple users with an extra layer of protection through the use of a trusted device and a security code for their Apple IDs. Two-step verification was initially limited to users in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, and expanded to several additional countries later in 2013.

Two-step verification may also be applied to iCloud.com in the future, in addition to Apple IDs. Apple’s two-step verification support page has a full list of countries that are able to access the feature.

Construction on Apple Campus 2 Progressing Rapidly, Walls Continue Taking Shape

Construction at Apple’s Spaceship campus is continuing at a rapid pace, according to new images posted to Twitter by KCBS news and traffic reporter Ron Cervi. Cervi has been taking aerial shots of the campus to track construction progress for the last several months.

In the most recent set of images, the perimeter walls that will house the foundation of the building appears to be growing closer to completion, indicating a significant amount of construction has taken place since June, when the wall first started going up. Cervi also mentions “underground tunnels” in one tweet, referring to deep furrows in the dirt.

The new #Apple #spaceship HQ is getting closer to launch! #applesnewhq http://t.co/MRudPxa8t3 pic.twitter.com/IduUDeXIOG

— Ron (@Sky1Ron) July 17, 2014

Pruneridge Avenue, the road that runs through the campus, has remained closed since last month, and traffic in Cupertino around the campus continues to be somewhat congested. Apple has closed off several sidewalks in the area and a large green privacy fence keeps the entire area hidden from view at street level.

The completed Apple campus 2, located in close proximity to the company’s existing Infinite Loop campus, will feature the famous 2.8 million square foot ring-shaped main building, an underground parking facility able to accommodate 2,400 cars, a 100,000 square foot fitness center, and a 120,000 square foot auditorium.

Said to be the “most energy efficient building of its kind,” Apple’s new campus will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy and populated with more than 7,000 trees.

Apple hopes to finish the first phase of construction on the campus in 2016.

Blizzard’s ‘Hearthstone’ Expansion ‘Curse of Naxxramas’ Launching July 22 for Mac/iOS [iOS Blog]

Curse of Naxxramas, the first expansion for Blizzard’s popular Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft free-to-play collectible card game, is set to launch on Tuesday, July 22. It will be released simultaneously on Macs, PCs, and iPads.

Much like Naxxramas in World of Warcraft, Curse of Naxxramas in Hearthstone is a floating necropolis organized into different wings — Arachnid Quarter, Plague Quarter, Military Quarter, Construct Quarter, and Frostwyrm Lair — and a new wing will open each week during the launch event. The launch event is set to last for approximately one month, and each wing contains a set of bosses that must be defeated.

Successfully eliminating bosses will add new cards to a user’s collection and unlock a Heroic mode. Defeating all of the bosses in Naxxramas on Heroic mode will unlock a new card back.

According to Blizzard, the expansion can be purchased via in-game gold or through real money, with each wing costing $6.99 or 700 gold. During the launch event, the first wing, Arachnid Quarter, will be available for free, and users can purchase the remaining four wings for $19.99. After the launch event, purchasing the full expansion will cost $24.99. Various packages are also available for users who want to use a combination of in-game gold and money.

Players who begin their adventures in Naxxramas during the launch event will gain free access to the first wing: the Arachnid Quarter. The launch event will last roughly a month or so, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to get your foot in the door–we’ll have more details to share about that later on. The web-choked corridors of the Arachnid Quarter are home to the bosses Anub’Rekhan, Grand Widow Faerlina, and Maexxna. Defeating these bosses will add new cards to your collection and give you a taste of the dangers that await you deeper inside Naxxramas.

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft for the iPad can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft for Mac can be downloaded from Blizzard’s website for free.

BlackRock’s Susan Wagner Joins Apple’s Board of Directors, Replacing Bill Campbell

Apple today issued a press release announcing that Susan Wagner, founding partner and director of BlackRock has joined its board of directors. BlackRock, which owns 2.82 percent of Apple, is a well-known investment management corporation, co-founded by Wagner in 1988.

Wagner will replace Bill Campbell, who has served on Apple’s Board of Directors for 17 years.

“Sue is a pioneer in the financial industry and we are excited to welcome her to Apple’s board of directors,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We believe her strong experience, especially in M&A and building a global business across both developed and emerging markets, will be extremely valuable as Apple continues to grow around the world.”

Wagner has been recognized as one of Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and has also been honored by the National Council for Research on Women. She supports the Women’s Initiative Network at BlackRock, which is designed to “foster the full potential of women” within the company.

Earlier this month, a report from The Wall Street Journal suggested Apple CEO Tim Cook was looking to add new members to Apple’s Board of Directors, as several members of the existing board are older than 63 and have served for more than a decade.

Apple has faced criticism over its lack of female leadership, which Cook has been aiming to remedy. Wagner will join high-profile hire Angela Ahrendts and Avon CEO Andrea Jung, who has served on Apple’s board since 2008.

Art Levinson, Apple’s chairman, said in the company’s press release that the board “conducted an exhaustive search” for someone who could strengthen the board’s “breadth of talent and background.” Wagner herself says she’s always admired Apple and is “honored to be joining [the] board.”

(Image courtesy of TIME)

‘Google Wallet’ to Gain Gift Card Support, Money Request Feature, and More [iOS Blog]

Google is planning to update its Google Wallet app in the near future, adding several new features including gift card support and a new request money option.

New gift card management options join loyalty cards within the Google Wallet app, allowing users to store gift card information directly in the app. Gift cards can be redeemed in stores with the app, making it unnecessary to hold onto physical cards.

Gift cards can be added manually or using the device’s camera and for cards from participating retailers like AMC, Best Buy, Nike, and more, users are able to check gift card balance in real time and get location-based reminders to use cards when in a store.

It’s now possible to use the Google Wallet app to request money from friends and family, sending a notification with an attached message.

For all those times when your friends forget to pay you back for dinner, you can simply request money using the Google Wallet app (for U.S. users, 18 years and older). They will receive a notification and can instantly pay you back. If they need a reminder, you can send them a friendly nudge from within the app. You can also send your friends a message right within Gmail, and request money just like you would attach a picture.

Finally, Google has introduced a Spanish language option and made it free to send money in the app when using a debit card. Previously, sending money required a 2.9 percent transaction fee from both a credit card and a debit card.

Google Wallet can be downloaded from the App Store for free, and the update should be live later this week. [Direct Link]

DirecTV’s ‘NFL Sunday Ticket’ Offered as Standalone Subscription, Available on Macs/iOS Devices

NFL Sunday Ticket, a popular sports package provided by DirecTV, will be offered as a standalone subscription for the first time in 2014, letting users who do not subscribe to DirecTV service access NFL Sunday Ticket games on their Macs and iOS devices.

Though no announcement has been made, a promotional page noticed by AppleInsider details DirecTV’s new standalone plan, which provides full NFL Sunday Ticket access starting at $199.99.

Introducing NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV. NFL football for all.

Now you can access live, out-of-market NFL games without a DIRECTV satellite TV account–no matter what team you follow! NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV lets you stream games on your computer, tablet, phone, or game console. All while keeping up with real-time player stats and your fantasy teams.

NFL Sunday Ticket has long been accessible on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, but in prior years, it has required a monthly subscription to DirecTV’s satellite cable service and a satellite dish. Now users can get access on a variety of devices with three separate plans.

The lowest tier plan, available for $199.99, allows NFL Sunday Ticket access on computers, tablets, and phones, while a $239.99 console plan allows access on console devices.

MAX, the highest tier priced at $329.99, offers access on computers, tablets, phones, and consoles, plus access to Red Zone Channel, which shows every touchdown from every game, and access to DirecTV Fantasy Zone, offering live looks at fantasy plays. All three plans also offer real-time stats and scores along with the ability to track favorite players. Standard NFL Sunday Ticket plans for DirecTV subscribers begin at $240, going up to $324 for a MAX subscription.

The website does not mention Apple TV access, but a 2010 rumor pointed towards an NFL Sunday Ticket channel on the device, which could come to fruition this year following the announcement of the standalone subscriptions.

While DirecTV previously offered a streaming package for subscribers unable to get reliable DirecTV service and tested a console-based subscription plan last year, the new NFL Sunday Ticket standalone offerings expand the service to a much wider range of cord cutters who still want access to live sports.

The changes to NFL Sunday Ticket come following DirecTV’s pending acquisition by AT&T, which is awaiting regulatory approval. DirecTV is also set to renegotiate its NFL contract later this year.

Sunday Ticket for iPad [Direct Link]

Sunday Ticket for iPhone [Direct Link]

T-Mobile to Offer Accessories on 24-Month Payment Plan With $0 Down [iOS Blog]

T-Mobile today announced plans to begin offering accessories under its equipment installment plan, allowing users to purchase various iPhone and iPad accessories and pay for them over 24 months.

The equipment installment plan is available for accessories priced between $69 and $250 and does not require a downpayment for qualified customers. Customers must have a T-Mobile Simple Choice plan and if T-Mobile service is cancelled, the remaining accessory payments are due upon cancellation.

This means you and your family could walk out the door not only with new smartphones and tablets but also with your choice of the latest audio and mobile accessories–all for $0 down and 24 monthly payments with a Simple Choice plan.

For example, you could pick up the state-of-the-art LG Tone Pro hands-free headset for $0 down and just $2.91 a month for 24 months with absolutely zero interest. You can find more information about T-Mobile’s new EIP payment option for accessories at your nearest participating T-Mobile store.

On its website, T-Mobile offers a wide array of accessories, including Jawbone Jambox speakers, Beats By Dre headphones, Mophie charging packs, and more.

T-Mobile is also currently offering a deal that includes a $100 MasterCard with the purchase of both an iPhone and an iPad. T-Mobile will begin selling accessories via payment plan on Sunday, July 20.