Samsung Chosen to Supply 80 Percent of Apple's Future A-Series Chips for iOS Devices

Apple has reportedly chosen Samsung over Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) as the primary supplier for its future application processors in a deal worth billions, claims The Korea Times (Via G for Games ) citing sources familiar with the deal.





Starting in 2016, Samsung reportedly will supply 80 percent of Apple's supply of 14 nm application processors with TSMC supplying the remaining 20 percent. The key factor that boosted Samsung was its recent partnership with GlobalFoundries, a relationship which will enable Samsung to produce sufficient supply of processors to meet Apple's demand.

"Apple has designated Samsung as the primary supplier of its next A-series chips powering iOS devices from 2016 as the alliance with GlobalFoundries (GF) enabled Samsung to cut off capacity risk," a source familiar with the deal said.

During its recent conference call, Samsung confirmed that it is producing sample 14 nm chips for an unidentified customer with plans to mass produce the chips in 2015 and 2016. This latest Korean Times report claims Samsung will begin building the processors early next year in its South Korean plant with plans to expand production to the company's Austin, Texas facility and GlobalFoundries' New York factory in the coming year.

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Posted in 2014 at 02:13PM, November 17

'iPad Pro' Said to Feature 12.2-Inch Display, 7-mm Thickness, Stereo Speakers at Top and Bottom

Apple's rumored "iPad Pro" has reportedly been in the works for some time, although the most recent rumors have indicated the company has pushed back its plans for the device as it seeks to give its manufacturing partners time to catch up to iPhone 6 Plus demand. Development work on the project is likely still continuing and a new report from Mac Otakara claims to share some new details on the device.



According to the report, the larger iPad will include a 12.2-inch display, somewhat smaller than the 12.9-inch measurement most commonly rumored for the device. Sources also indicate the device will contain speakers and microphones on both the top and bottom edges, opening the door to an improved stereo audio experience.

Product design concept seems to be based on iPad Air 2, pair of speakers and microphones will be added on top-side not only bottom’s pair. iPad Pro might be capable for supporting stereo audio.

As for thickness, the report claims the iPad Pro will not match the 6.1 mm measurement of the new iPad Air 2 but will still be quite thin, coming in around the same 7 mm mark as the iPhone 6 (6.9 mm) and iPhone 6 Plus (7.1 mm).





The report also includes a rough illustration, and while the sourcing of the illustration is unclear, it appears to show a row of holes presumably representing a speaker along the top edge of the device next to the power button.



Mac Otakara has a relatively strong (but by no means perfect) track record with Apple product rumors, most recently accurately predicting the arrival of the iPad mini 3 last month alongside a relatively specific claim of new Smart Cover and Smart Case color options that did turn out to be true. Some of the site's previous major claims that were accurate included details on redesigns for the iPod touch and iPod nano back in 2012.

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Posted in 2014 at 02:13PM, November 01

Apple's Supply Chain Diversification Hitting Samsung's Chip Business Hard

Apple has been expanding its supply chain, bringing in companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to produce components for its iPhone and iPad devices. This supply chain diversification may benefit Apple, but it is having a negative effect on rival Samsung's chip manufacturing business, reports The Wall Street Journal .





Since 2007, Samsung has enjoyed the coveted position of being the only manufacturer of Apple's Ax series of processors and their predecessors. But after several years of negotiations and technical work as the popularity of Apple's iOS devices has soared, Apple has brought TSMC on board to produce A-series chips for the next generation of devices. This transition away from Samsung as the sole supplier of the main chip for iOS devices is cutting into the Korean company's logic chip business.

“Sales and profitability from System LSI (logic chip business) worsened as demand from main customers continued to decline,” Robert Yi, Samsung’s head of investor relations said last week.

Samsung's logic chip division struggled in the just-ended quarter, and the outlook for the business is equally bleak with Samsung acknowledging the continued low demand from customers will remain an issue going forward.



The sharp turnaround has led to analysts such as IBK Securities' Lee Seung-woo predicting losses of approximately 877 billion won ($848.5 million) for the division in 2014, compared to operating profits of 203 billion won ($196.3 million) in 2013 and 1 trillion won ($967.8 million) in 2012.

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Posted in 2014 at 02:13PM, August 05

These are the most gorgeous iPhone 6 renders we have ever seen

With all of the leaks, renders and mockups we've seen of Apple's upcoming iPhone 6 over the past few months, you would think this would start to get old. If anything, however, readers' interest in iPhone 6 leaks is still growing. Apple's upcoming iPhone 6 will be the biggest smartphone launch of the year and with the phone's expected release now just about two months away, leaks and rumors are in full swing. We have seen a number of dummy iPhone 6 units that are reportedly based on leaked schematics, but they all lack the refinement Apple's hardware will undoubtedly have.

Now, however, a stunning new render of Apple's next-generation iPhone 6 gives us a different perspective.

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Posted in 2014 at 02:13PM, July 14

Facebook is probably killing your iPhone’s battery – here’s how to fix it

Facebook is easily one of the most popular third-party iPhone apps on the planet. As it turns out, it might also be one of the biggest culprits of iPhone battery drain, according to recent findings brought to light by a former Apple Store Genius. The good news, however, is that it is remarkably easy to stop Facebook from eating up your iPhone's battery, and in this post we'll show you how.

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Posted in 2014 at 02:13PM, April 08