What’s Next for Apple in 2014: iWatch, Larger iPhone 6, 12.9-inch iPad Pro

Over the course of 2013, Apple released a number of exciting new products, including the radically redesigned Mac Pro, a thinner and lighter iPad Air, and an iPhone with cutting edge fingerprint recognition technology.

2014 will likely bring even more innovation to Apple’s product lineup, with current rumors hinting at highly anticipated products like the Apple smart watch, a larger iPhone and iPad, and new developments with the Apple TV. A number of these products have been rumored for some time, but the spate of Apple product releases over the past few months and the imminent turning of the calendar offers a chance to bring those rumors back to the forefront.

According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, Apple has plans to create “great products” in areas the company does not participate in today, and in a recent email, Cook told Apple employees that there’s a lot in store for Apple in 2014, “including some big plans that we think customers are going to love.”

In the list below, we’ve highlighted Apple’s prospective 2014 product plans, outlining what customers might see from Apple in the next 12 months based on current rumors.

iPhone 6
Apple’s next iPhone is rumored to come equipped with a larger screen size, somewhere between 4.7 and 5.7 inches. Some rumors have suggested that Apple might release the phone in two separate sizes, both of which are larger than the current 4-inch iPhone 5s/5c.

Left to right: iPhone 5, Galaxy S III, “iPhone Plus”, Galaxy Note II (Source: Marco Arment)
The larger iPhone, which will likely incorporate a faster 20-nanometer A8 chip from TSMC, may also include sweeping design changes in the form of a curved display. While it is possible Apple will release an updated iPhone earlier in the year, the most likely release target for the larger-screened device is September or October.

iPad Pro
Along with a larger iPhone, Apple may be planning to add a larger iPad to its current tablet lineup, which comprises the 9.7-inch iPad Air and the 7.9-inch iPad mini. The “iPad Pro” or “iPad Maxi” as it has been called by the media, is rumored to include a larger 12.9-inch display, which would be most similar in size to the current 13.3-inch MacBook Air.

Mockup of the 12.9-inch iPad next to a 13-inch MacBook Air
The display reportedly offers higher pixel density nearing ultra high-definition quality and it will likely adopt many of the design elements offered in the current iPads, like an ultrathin chassis and narrow side bezels. Aside from a larger screen size, not much is known about Apple’s larger iPad, and it is unclear when such a product might be released.

iWatch
Apple’s much-anticipated “iWatch,” which was a major rumor focal point in 2013, will likely be released in 2014. According to rumors, the smart watch will primarily function as an accessory to the iPhone and the iPad, providing at-a-glance access to common iOS functions.

The watch may also include a multitude of biometric functions, possibly offering a pedometer and heart rate monitor, among other things, and it could also serve as a home automation hub. While it is entirely unclear what the iWatch will look like, rumors have indicated that it could have an OLED display in the range of 1.3 to 1.7 inches, possibly coming in multiple sizes for a customized fit.

Apple’s iWatch may incorporate an ultra durable sapphire glass screen, as the company recently signed a deal with GT Advanced to ramp up sapphire glass production. Rumors have also hinted at a flexible, curved design.

Over the course of 2013, Apple ramped up its work on the iWatch, with a team of 100 product designers working on the project. The company also filed for iWatch trademarks in multiple countries throughout 2013.

Currently, Apple’s iWatch is expected to debut during the second half of 2014.

Apple TV
Apple has been long rumored to be making some upgrades to its Apple TV, either in the form of a revamped set top box with additional functionality or a full blown television set. It is unclear what Apple will do in the television arena in 2014, however, as rumors have suggested that the company has shelved its TV plans for the time being in order to focus on wearables like the iWatch. Television remains an area of “intense interest” for Apple, according to Tim Cook.

If Apple does release a television-related product in 2014, it will likely be a new set top box that could bundle key features like an App Store and Siri, along with additional content offerings.

In 2013, Apple worked hard to beef up content offerings, adding several new channels, including WatchESPN, HBO GO, Vevo, Yahoo Screen, and PBS. The company is also said to be in talks with cable provider Time Warner and a deal with that company, as well as other improvements in content, could come in 2014.

Improving content and reaching deals with various cable companies and content providers is a necessary step before Apple can make headway in the television industry.

4K Display
Many people believed Apple would introduce a new Thunderbolt Display alongside the Mac Pro, as it has been two years since the last Thunderbolt Display update. No new display appeared, but it is possible that the company will debut a new display product in 2014, likely offering a 4K resolution of 4096 or 3840 x 2160 pixels.

In late 2013, Apple supplier AU Optronics introduced new 27 and 32-inch 4K display panels, sparking speculation that revamped Thunderbolt Displays were on the horizon, though concrete information on a new display or a possible release date is unavailable at the current point in time. In lieu of a 4K Thunderbolt Display, Apple is offering a 4K 32-inch Sharp display as an add-on to the Mac Pro.

Other updates: iOS 8, OS X 10.10, MacBooks, and More
As it does every year, Apple will undoubtedly offer refreshed MacBooks over the course of 2014. Recently, a rumor has suggested that a 12-inch MacBook with a MacBook Air-style design and a Retina display could make its debut in the middle of 2014, and other incremental updates to products like the Retina MacBook Pro will come as well.

Apple has several products that have not been refreshed for quite some time, including its lineup of iPods and the Mac Mini, which could see updates in 2014.

New versions of both iOS and OS X are also expected, though few details are available on the software at this time. iOS 8 may include improvements to Maps, iOS in the Car, and a possible Siri API, while the next version of OS X could take on some iOS 7-style design elements. iOS 8 will probably arrive during the fall along refreshed iPhones, and it is likely that a revamped version of OS X will come during the same general time frame.

’12 Days of Gifts’ Gives Oscar-Winning Scorsese Film ‘Hugo’ Today in U.S. and Canada, ‘Home Alone’ Internationally

As part of its 12 Days of Gifts promotion, Apple is making Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award-winning film Hugo free for all iTunes users in the U.S. and Canada. International customers receive Chris Columbus’ holiday classic Home Alone.

The movie is the most valuable gift that Apple has offered through the 12 Days of Gifts app, which will continue giving one gift per day through January 6th.

Users can get the movies either through the 12 Day of Gifts app, or by downloading the movie directly from the iTunes Store on their Mac, PC or iOS device. It’s likely that the movie will be free for today only so users are encouraged to download the film without delay.

Hugo received significant critical acclaim, making a number of year-end top-ten lists for 2011. The film won five Oscars for Best Cinematography, Art Direction, Visual Effects, Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing, and was nominated for six more including Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Costume Design, and Film Editing.

Welcome to a magical world of spectacular adventure! When wily and resourceful Hugo discovers a secret left by his father, he unlocks a mystery and embarks on a quest that will transform those around him and lead to a safe and loving place he can call home. Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese invites you to experience a thrilling journey that critics are calling “the stuff that dreams are made of.” *Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE

12 Days of Gifts is a universal app available for free in the App Store. [Direct Link]

Purported Original iPhone Prototype Sells on eBay for $1499

An alleged prototype version of Apple’s original iPhone has sold on eBay for $1499, with the device appearing to be in excellent condition and containing signal strength measurements etched on the rear casing. The device is also shown running Apple’s internal diagnostic software.

I am selling a very rare original iPhone engineering prototype. These were used to test the iPhone’s various features. To do so, a special test software was installed, which is still running on the device perfectly.

This is device is especially rare, as it shows the initial iOS version installed and the signal strength values etched on the back. This was done by Apple internally and is guaranteed genuine.

The authenticity of the device has not been confirmed, and similar signal strength etchings do not appear to have been seen on other prototypes, but the device does lack the standard regulatory text on the rear casing that would be present on a non-prototype unit. A reddit user claims to be the buyer of the device, but it has not yet been delivered to allow for further testing of its authenticity.

It is not unusual for prototype Apple devices to appear on eBay, and many of these auctions are quickly removed, presumably at Apple’s request. This auction was able to be completed, perhaps due to having been posted for only two days and having ended through a “Buy It Now” purchase well ahead of the scheduled ending time.

Apple and Samsung Said to Resume Settlement Talks Over Patent Dispute [iOS Blog]

Apple and Samsung have reportedly resumed settlement negotiations over their ongoing patent-infringement dispute, according to The Korea Times. A source from the Korean Fair Trade Commission (FTC) told the newspaper that the two companies are in “working level discussion” about a potential deal, adding that Apple and Samsung are attempting to narrow differences over royalty payments.

Samsung still prefers to sign a comprehensive “cross-licensing” deal, allowing the world’s biggest smartphone manufacturer to access all Apple’s design-related, some standard-essential and commercial patents; while Apple is asking Samsung to pay over $30 per device for Samsung’s patent violations, which Samsung thinks is “too much,” said another Samsung official who is familiar with the issue.

The report also states that Samsung Mobile CEO Shin Jong-Kyun may fly to the United States to discuss patent issues with Apple CEO Tim Cook early next year. Last year, Cook met with Samsung CEO Choi Gee-Sung to discuss the subject, however, those talks reportedly failed because Samsung would not accept Apple’s demand for patent royalties. Both companies also met face-to-face in Seoul earlier this year, but there was said to be “no indication” of an imminent agreement as the discussions failed to progress.

Apple and Samsung have been in a long, ongoing legal battle that started in 2011, with the first U.S. trial awarding $1 billion to Apple in 2012. However, a judge voided nearly half of that amount in March, with a jury in the damages retrial last month ruling that Samsung is to pay Apple $290 million for willfully violating multiple patents. A second infringement lawsuit between the two companies will also be held on March 31, 2014, with a separate injunction trial centering around Apple’s call for a U.S. ban on Samsung products potentially preceding it.

‘New York Times Magazine’ Design Director Arem Duplessis Joining Apple’s Marketing Team [Mac Blog]

Longtime New York Times Magazine design director Arem Duplessis is leaving the publication to take a position with Apple’s internal marketing team, according to Mediabistro. Duplessis answered a few questions for Mediabistro, but did not address what his exact role at Apple will be.

I’ve been at The New York Times Magazine for almost ten years. I have worked with some of the smartest people on the planet and it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience such a great gig. With that said, it’s time for a new chapter and a new challenge.

The New York Times Magazine is a Sunday supplement for the venerable newspaper, offering a range of content including feature-length pieces from well-known contributors, highly regarded photography features, and a puzzle page with the newspaper’s famous Sunday crossword.

Prior to joining The New York Times Magazine in 2004, Duplessis had spent time as design director at Spin and GQ magazines.

Apple’s marketing team, which is drawn from both internal staff and agency TBWA/Media Arts Lab, recently lost one of its high-profile members for the second time when Scott Trattner joined Facebook earlier this month. Trattner had spent nearly a decade as Executive Creative Director at TBWA\Media Arts Lab before leaving in August 2012 to join Samsung’s ad agency 72andSunny. That appointment lasted just seven months, however, with Trattner rejoining TBWA\Media Arts Lab in February of this year.

The man behind NYT Magazine’s gorgeous covers is headed to Apple

You may not know the name Arem Duplessis, but you’ve no doubt seen his work on the cover of The New York Times Magazine in the past 10 years. As design director at NYT Mag, he crafted some of the most stunning work in the publication’s history — examples seen above — and he’s just been hired away from his decade-long post. And that’s what’s especially interesting: he’s heading to Apple as a creative director.

In a brief interview with Mediabistro, Duplessis says part of what he’ll do at Apple is assist the internal marketing team (the folks responsible for evangelizing to Apple employees on the company’s own products). No doubt those internal memos will have extra attention to alignment and contrasting colors! The ambiguity of his title means he’ll also have other responsibilities, and we’re gonna go all the way crazy and wager that Apple wouldn’t waste Duplessis’ eye for design solely on internal marketing.

[Image credit: Cover Junkie]

Filed under: Apple

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Source: Mediabistro

U.S. Tablet Sales Led by iPad in 2013 as Chromebooks Overtake MacBooks

The iPad held the biggest share of unit sales for any tablet in the United States throughout 2013, while sales of Google Chromebooks made up a bigger percentage of the laptop market compared to Mac notebooks, according to a new report from The NPD Group.

The data in the report showed that the iPad accounted for 15.8% of personal computing device sales, which was greater than that of Android tablets at 8.7% and Windows tablets at 2.2%. However, the iPad’s share of unit sales in the U.S. this year is down from the year-ago period, where it made up for 17.1% of sales. Sales of both Android tablets and Windows tablets grew by 4.5% and 1.4%, respectively.

Meanwhile, sales of Chromebooks in the United States grew to 9.6% in 2013, surpassing the 1.8% share of unit sales held by Apple notebooks. Windows notebooks still held on to 34.1% of the market, but was down 8.8% from the 42.9% share it held last year.

The news follows a report in October stating that Mac sales were down 7% year-over-year for the full September quarter, as the decline of traditional PC sales as a whole is likely due in part to the rising popularity of tablets.

Both the iPad and the MacBook line of notebooks saw refreshes this year, as Apple announced the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display along with updated models of the 13-inch and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro at its October event. New versions of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air were also announced at Apple’s WWDC keynote this past June, and featured enhanced performance with significantly improved battery life.

Apple could also be gearing up to release new types of both products in 2014. Rumors of a larger-size iPad for release in 2014 have surfaced occasionally throughout the past few months, and a report in October from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that Apple may be planning to release a 12-inch MacBook with an all-new design in the middle of 2014.

Highlights from Apple’s Preliminary Proxy Statement, 2014 Shareholders Meeting Proposals

Apple has released its preliminary proxy statement in a filing to the SEC. The filing is an announcement of the 2014 annual stockholders meeting, as well as proposals that will be voted on at the meeting and details of executive compensation arrangements.

Among other things, the filing details a forthcoming vote on investor Carl Icahn’s proposed $50 billion share repurchase program that was filed for earlier this month. If approved, the proposal would still be on a non-binding “advisory” basis, and would specifically call for the company to commit to fulfilling no less than $50 billion of share repurchases during Apple’s fiscal year ending on September 27, 2014.

However, Apple’s Board of Directors has recommended a vote against Icahn’s buyback program, stating that it is still “considering options“ for how to return cash to shareholders:

The Board and management team are thoughtfully considering options for returning additional cash to shareholders and are currently seeking input from shareholders as part of the Company’s regular review.

With breakthrough products and services such as the Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad and App Store, the Company has created huge market opportunities, and the Board and management team believe the opportunities that lie ahead are just as exciting. Given such large and global markets, the Company competes with large companies around the world, many with their own significant technical capabilities and significant capital. This dynamic competitive landscape and the Company’s rapid pace of innovation require unprecedented investment, flexibility and access to resources.

…The Company is updating perspectives on its capital return program for 2014 and beyond. The Company is collecting input from a very broad base of shareholders, believing that the input of all shareholders is important and should be considered holistically. The evaluation of the capital return program continues to be thoughtful, deliberate, and consistent with a conservative financial policy that supports risk-taking and innovation. Consistent with its pattern for the last two years, the Company is on track to complete its regular review and thorough analysis and to announce any changes to the current program by March or April of 2014.

Since first disclosing his position in Apple back in August, Icahn has been vocal about asking the company to increase its buyback as he has dramatically increased his stake in the company. Apple, for its part, announced a significant increase in its capital return program back in April of 2013, and management pledged to reexamine its share repurchase and dividend programs in the first half of 2014.

Also detailed is a proposal on establishing a separate entitled committee that would oversee human rights issues raised by the company’s activities, such as the recent accusations of labor violations at primary suppliers like Pegatron and Biel Crystal and the welfare of its own employees.

However, Apple also recommended a vote against the proposal, stating that its Supplier Responsibility team and report already audits suppliers to an effective extent and that establishing a committee would be “redundant“ and add little value to its existing commitment to human rights and social responsibility.

The preliminary proxy statement also noted the earnings of CEO Tim Cook’s total compensation for 2013. While Cook saw an increase in his salary this year to $1,400,006 from $1,357,718 last year, the CEO gave up about 7,100 shares tied to his bonus stock award that was changed in June to be more performance based. At the stock’s current price of $560.09, this would mean that Cook lost out on $3,976,639 in bonus earnings.

Overall, the shareholders meeting will hold votes on eleven proposals related to director reelection, compensation, and more.

The 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will occur at Apple’s 1 Infinite Loop headquarters on February 28, 2013 at 9AM.