A wireless technology specifically geared towards exchanging data over short distances, Bluetooth is a staple hardware feature for many Apple products, such as those in the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac lineups. Bluetooth is also incorporated in many Apple peripherals, such as the Magic Keyboard, and Magic Mouse.
The New York Times reported in December that a small group of people at Apple were “conceptualizing and even prototyping some wearable devices,” so we posted Federico Ciccarese’s creepy take on a wearable, curved-glass iOS device last week. Now, Swedish designer Anders Kjellberg introduces his iteration of the tech with an “iWatch” concept featuring FaceTime.
The mockup touts a Retina display, an 8-megapixel camera with HD and FaceTime capabilities, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Airplay support, a built-in, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, 16 GB of storage, accelerometer, proximity and ambient light sensors, and eight customizable wristbands. Oh, and iTunes and apps—of course.
Federico Ciccarese has done many iPhone and Apple product design mockups in the past, and today he gave us his take on Apple’s rumored wearable, curved-glass iOS device. In August 2011, we made the case for a wearable, Bluetooth 4.0-powered iPod nano. In December, The New York Times reported a small group of people at Apple had been “conceptualizing and even prototyping some wearable devices.” One concept described in the report was a “curved-glass iPod that would wrap around the wrist.” Below is a video rendering of the mockup from Ciccarese Design:
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There is a ton of interesting iPhone and iOS-related Kickstarter projects popping up, so we decided to compile a list of a few that caught our eye recently. All of these products will of course first need to reach their funding goals before shipping, but several on the list below already did.
The one standout feature of the Microsoft Surface Tablet in our eyes was the keyboard cover. But is it that great? No one outside Redmond knows because Microsoft did not let anyone touch it at the press event.
But, if you can handle a paltry extra 4mm of thickness with the addition of real keys, an iPad aluminum-matched protective cover, and a built in stand, Logitech already has Microsoft beat in my eyes.
Enter the $99 Logitech Ultrathin iPad Keyboard Cover for iPad 2 and the new iPad. It uses the same magnets as Apple’s “smart” accessories to clip on and activate the iPad, but it is a rigid enclosure that matches the back of the iPad and turns it into the proverbial Apple netbook. It offers screen protection, but the back and sides are not protected. So, you will not want to drop test this setup.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsIJUiTlrGI]
This is not just a repurposed PC/Mac keyboard either. It has dedicated iPad keys across the top including the very useful home button, volume keys, editing keys, and play/pause.
I have been using it since it unveiled two months ago. Here is my take:
Run by former Nokia and Fossil execs, and previously available in beta for Android devices only, Meta Watch officially launched its smartwatch platform today that interfaces with iOS—the first of its kind to utilize the low energy Bluetooth 4.0 technology. The watch works with an iOS app for customizing which notifications will pop up on its display. Notifications consist of the usual phone calls and messaging, but developers have access to an API that will allow them to send almost anything to the device.
The company previously had issues getting the platform to run smoothly due to limitations of iOS. However, thanks to Bluetooth 4.0, the device featuring a 96-by-96-pixel LCD display is now slated to ship sometime this month for $199. The Meta Watch is clearly still more of a development kit than an end-user product at this point, but with six fully programmable buttons, a 3-axis accelerometer, vibrating motor, ambient light sensor, and of course Bluetooth 4.0, there is a ton that devs will be able to do with the device.
Photos by Veronica Oggy
For a pair of headphones under the $50 mark, we often find ourselves recommending something like the standard $35 Apple earphones. You typically cannot beat the sound quality (build quality up for debate) for the price, but if you want to go Bluetooth, pickings are slim in the under $200 category.
If you are looking for DJ-style, over-ear Bluetooth headphones, your options are even fewer before hitting the $250+ price point for a wireless pair of Beats by Dr.Dre.
However, at just $39, Tenqa’s Remxd Bluetooth Headphones are clearly not for the pros, but looking at the Bluetooth alternatives from Rocketfish, Sony, and Sennheiser, they definitely impress at a fraction of the competition’s prices. They were also built with iPhone in mind, which means they pack a microphone and controls for hands-free calls—just like Apple’s stock iPhone earphones…
Logitech made things official today for its new solar-powered case lineup with the Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio for second-gen and third-gen iPads. Starting at $129.99, the company is launching the new keyboard case this month in the United States and Europe with preorders already open here.
Similar to Logitech’s solar keyboards for Mac® and PC, the Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio includes onboard solar cells that charge the built-in Bluetooth® keyboard in any light, whether indoors or outdoors. When fully charged, the battery lasts for up to two years, even in complete darkness (based on a average use of two hours per day).
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=91MRBRJogPw]
The main gripe we had in our original Jambox review was that sound is not as big as other (bigger) portable Bluetooth speakers.
While both of these products sound great at low volumes, the Logitech has much bigger speakers and simply blows past the Jambox at higher volumes. At its loudest, the Jambox hits about four to 10 levels of the Logitech—it is really no comparison.
The Jambox produces the kind of sound that can be the background music at a dinner party, run a conference call or office presentation in a small conference room, or just listen to your music in a hotel room. I would even recommend it for sitting on a porch or terrace and reading a book. However, you will want more on windy day at the beach or when using it in the kitchen while the dishwasher is running. At 30 feet away, the Bluetooth can tether and you will definitely feel lacking.
Jambox, as if it were listening, introduced the new “Big Jambox” today, which has a bigger sound, longer battery life, and more buttons. As you can see below, you can now control the play/pause and moving forward/backward tracks right from the Jambox. On the downside, it appears that charging the Big Jambox requires a dedicated power cable. The previous version charged via micro-USB, which still exists to set up the MyTalk smart apps.
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We are in line to get our hands on one of these when it launches May 15 for $299. We will hopefully have a review shortly. The gallery follows:
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We told you earlier this month about the “NoteBook Case” for iPad—a bluetooth keyboard case that does a good job of turning an iPad into a MacBook-looking netbook. That case is now available in the United States and Europe through CPeel, but today we look at another impressive keyboard case currently on Kickstarter called “Brydge.”
Like the NoteBook Case, the Brydge iPad case gets much of its design cues from the MacBook Pro line. The differences include aerospace-grade aluminium, optional built-in speakers, and a patent-pending “click-in” hinge providing close to 180 degrees of positioning freedom. The hinge is made of “metal alloys and magnets, with a thermoplastic elastomer shell.” By all accounts, at first glance, this appears to be one of the better made keyboard cases we have come across.
The Kickstarter project is currently at just $2,855 in pledges from 16 backers, but it still has 39 days to reach its $90,000 funding goal. A $150 donation will get you the model without speakers, while a $180 donation earns a model with speakers. If the project reaches its funding goal, the company plans to ship the first units by October. A full gallery of close-ups and the different models is after the break.
From 9to5Toys.com:
Today only, Amazon offers the Kensington KeyFolio Pro Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard for $39.99 with free shipping. That’s 60% off of list and the lowest price we could find for this 4-star rated keyboard for iPad 2. It offers both landscape and portrait use.
This will likely also work with Apple’s new 3rd Generation iPad as well (though Bluetooth 4.0 Keyboards could start showing up soon)
We haven’t tested this model but we’re fans of the similar Zagg Keyfolio keyboard case, although it is over double the price.
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=g88ufDHEYpY]
2:25: iPad 2 is staying on sale $100 off the 16GB one: $399, $529 for 3Gs – great for schools.
2:20 iPad video.
2:15 Almost 20 minutes of demo time for iPhoto and still scratching surface. Oh, just $4.99. All of iLife now on iPad.
2:05 Editing pictures in iPhoto from a professional DSLR (Nikon). Weird – no support for Google’s Picasa.
2:00 iPhoto for iPad ” Amazing” great way to browse and edit photos. Multi touch editing, Professional Quality Effects, Brushes, photo beaming, Photo journals.
1:58 – iMovie – new interface, looks like professional tool. And with 1080 camera built right in? iPads are going to be the new Video end to end tool – low end prosumer grade-ish at least.
1:56: New stuff for Garage Band – Smart Strings, Note Editor, iCloud sharing – JAM IN REAL TIME OMG
1:55 iWork Apps with jaw dropping graphics – available today at the app store (great – that helps a lot!)
1:53 “more memory and higher screen resolution than an Xbox 360 or PS3.”
1:51: Epic Games is demoing Dungeons: craft the Infinity Blade. looks pretty nuts. Guess that’s why Infinity Blade went on sale this morning.
1:50: Autodesk (guess Apple’s over that whole two decade Autocad boycott). We’ve had 10 million customers in 29 years. More than that in a year on the iPad.
Sketchbook Ink is new lineart app (watch out Illustrator!) export images greater than 100 megapixels.
1:45 Namco is demoing a Retina Jet fighter app
1:42: Preoders start today and delivered on March 16th in US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia.
1:40 Still has 10 hour battery on Wifi and 9 hours of 4G. Starts at $499. Same prices across the board.
1:35 AT&T and Verizon in US, Rogers, Bell and Telus in Canada. 2 US bands= 2 different LTE iPads.
Personal Hotspot too.
1:33 L to the TE 4G 72MB theoretical
1:30 Voice dictation Siri-ous.
1:29: 5 megapixel camera, 1080P recording. Crazy Apple optics. This will ruin just about every public event in the future.
1:28 Supposedly 4X performance of the just release NVIDIA Quad Core Tegra 3. I suppose there will be some discussion on this front.
1:27: A5X Quad core graphics. Dual core processor. Everyone was right. Or everyone was wrong!
1:26 “we’re allowed to call 264 pixels per inch Retina (a term we made up btw) because you hold it further from your face. Also AppleTV is Retina too.”
1:23 Schiller time! “Retina display” “Stunning” 2048 x 1536 pixels! (iPhone 4 stuff on repeat. Text, graphics – when can I have one?!) 1 million more pixels than 1080P TVs.
1:21: The new “iPad” That’s it. No suffix!
1:20 200K iPAd apps. Talking smack about the competition. Yelp, Twitter look bad on Android.
1:18 Speaking of Gloating, Apple sold more iPads than anyone else sold PCs and GDGT has the graph to prove it
Taking a bit of a break here to gloat that we called the whole AppleTV 1080P thing. For those who waited to buy an AppleTV, you are welcome :D Those that didn’t the 720P ones make great hockey pucks-fyi
1:17 Movie UI also has genius. (hopefully you can turn it off!)
1:15 New user interface looks a lot like Netflix a bit..
1:12 AppleTV 1080P. You don’t say. 9to5mac readers, take your jaw off the ground. iTunes Match support.
1:10: iCloud: zooming past 100 million customers already. Now supports movies
1:09: App store. Virtual cycle: Better apps= mo money= better developers= mo money. 25 billion app downloads, not all of them free.
1:08: Siri is now in Japananese (whoops Siri already told us that!) and in Australia Germany, etc.
1:07: 315 million iOS devices and 62 million just last quarter
1:05: Retail Stores (362 total right now – one for every day of the year -road trip?!), Grand Central. Newest Largest Store in Amsterdam.
Looks like Tim is actually there!
1:00 Tim Cook enters the stage…”Apple is leading the Post-PC revolution…Cloud+iPad, iPhone+ iPod” – 172 million “post-PC” devices were sold last year – 76% of Apple’s revenues.
12:55 Reporting from NYC…
[tweet https://twitter.com/jonfortt/status/177452103189536768]
12:50: Spoiler alert: Here is everything new that will get announced today (thanks Mr. X!)
MD328LL/A – IPAD WI-FI 16GB WHITE – USA
MC705LL/A – IPAD WI-FI 16GB BLACK -USA
MD329LL/A – IPAD WI-FI 32GB WHITE – USA
MD706LL/A – IPAD WI-FI 32GB BLACK -USA
MD330LL/A – IPAD WI-FI 64GB WHITE -USA
MC707LL/A – IPAD WI-FI 64GB BLACK -USA
MD366LL/A – IPAD WI-FI 4G 16GB BLACK -USA
MD369LL/A- IPAD WI-FI 4G 16GB WHITE -USA
MD367LL/A – IPAD WI-FI 4G 32GB BLACK -USA
MD370LL/A- IPAD WI-FI 4G 32GB WHITE -USA
MD368LL/A – IPAD WI-FI 4G 64GB BLACK -USA
MD371LL/A- IPAD WI-FI 4G 64GB WHITE -USA
MD098LL/A – APPLE DIGITAL AV ADAPTER
MD199LL/A – APPLE TV – USA
12:45: People are seated listening to music.
12:41: 20 minutes to go. Looks like the Daily’s Peter HA got on the wrong bus:
[tweet https://twitter.com/ThePeterHa/status/177448550114930689]
(the short one? – sorry!)
We’ll be posting news as it happens today. We’re expecting a faster Retina Display iPad with improved cameras as well as an updated AppleTV and maybe a few surprises, particularly in the area of software. Bookmark this page and come back often for updated info.
Some news: We’ve just got the name of the B82 part: Updated Apple Digital AV Adapter (this). Boo. Was hoping for Bluetooth audio remote.
More news: We’ve got 4G LTE “confirmed” for iPad. Also no 128GB or 8 GBiPads, shockingly.
Interestingly, Barack Obama will be speaking about American Energy today in North Carolina – probably not too far from Apple’s solar farm in Maiden.
We’ve gotten a few more tidbits about tomorrow’s Apple TV announcement (Oh, there will be a new iPad too!). The Apple TV J33 model, MD199LL/A – J33 BEST -USA, which we’ve covered before will come in at the same $99 price point (and similar prices globally). We know from previous reports that it will have updated hardware internally including Bluetooth 4.0 Broadcom chip as well as a higher powered processor capable of 1080P video.
It will likely look the same as the current Apple TV with similar ports otherwise, though that hasn’t been confirmed.
Also, the new mystery B82 accessory part just got a price as well: $39. We’re still not sure what exactly it is (Dock, A/V cable – currently $39, remote – currently $19, etc.). We’re not expecting anything too spectacular however under $40.
Finally, MacRumors confirms tips that we’ve been hearing today.
Apple appears to be making a similar transition for the iPad with tomorrow’s introduction of the iPad 3, rolling out a $99 AppleCare+ for iPad warranty that would replace the current $79 standard AppleCare package.
AppleCare +, which also covers accidental damage with a $49 deductible, for iPad has shown up on a number of occasions in EasyPay as a $99 option leading our tipsters to believe that it will debut tomorrow.
We’ll be covering all the action tomorrow live, so make sure you stop back.
As always, thanks Mr. X!
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ThinkGeek gave us a glimpse at an upcoming iCADE controller mimicking the classic Nintendo controller layout and decorated with a retro 8-bit themed graphics. The “8-Bitty” is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, connects over Bluetooth (two AAA batteries required), and is compatible with all iCADE supported games, including the Atari Classics collection. Unfortunately, you are going to have to wait until later this year when ThinkGeek starts selling them for $25. You can sign up now to be notified by email when it does become available.
You will also want to keep your eyes out for three new iCade models we recently told you about during CES 2012. One of which is the iCade Mobile ($79.99) that is iPhone and iPod touch compatible, and it allows you to dock your device for a PSP-like handheld experience. That model and updated iPad arcade cabinets are expected to launch in the coming months.
Update: MIC Gadget says that there is a shutter/overexposure problem with the 1.3 Megapixel camera shutter that Apple is working on and they expect a April-ish type of time frame. We typically put less weight in piggybacking-type reports
Here is more evidence that Apple was (is?) prototyping an iPod nano with a camera on the back and the accompanying hole on the clip. Leaked by the Japanese blog Apple.pro, which leaked a similar set of images in April of last year, the new shots further indicate that Apple could be working (or at least was researching at some point), a next-generation iPod nano with an alleged 1.3-megapixel camera on its back, while still keeping the current model’s size and display.
The hole on the clip looks like it could house camera lens. Such a solution would theoretically separate the camera hardware and electronics inside the diminutive main casing from the optics and sensor hardware integrated on the clip. The clip hole looks very similar to an Apple patent filing published in May 2011, with one of the drawings depicting a belt clip with a hole in the exactly same place as on these spy shots. Two more shots are available after the break.
We previously told you about the benefits of Bluetooth 4.0 technology found on the iPhone 4S, also TV and —conceivably— rolling out to all Apple products soon. While Zomm’s Lifestyle Connect is not exactly the first Bluetooth 4.0 accessory (bragging rights belong to Find My Car Smart, a Kickstarter project), this device is a dream come true to people seeking a reliable medical solution to relay health information from compatible monitoring solutions “to a trusted network of people and professionals.”
Smaller than a credit card, it connects wirelessly with a Bluetooth 4.0 smartphone such, as the iPhone 4S, allowing you to speak with a live operator dubbed Personal Safety Concierge directly from the integrated speakerphone on the device. The Personal Safety Concierge can then contact your doctor, send status updates via a phone call, SMS or email or even dispatch police, fire or medical rescue to you exact location…
[slideshow]
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Pictured above: The Paradox iPod nano watch kit
The New York Time’s Nick Bilton, who reported in October Apple’s alleged television plans describing “large parts floating around” Apple’s supply chain that looked like they “could be part of a large Apple television,” is back with a new story. He recently implied Apple’s researched prototyped small and wearable devices.
According to the article published last night, both Apple and Google have worked for years on wearable computers that interface with smartphones (having the ultimate goal of selling more smartphones):
A person with knowledge of the company’s plans told me that a “very small group of Apple employees” had been conceptualizing and even prototyping some wearable devices. […] Apple has also experimented with prototype products that could relay information back to the iPhone. These conceptual products could also display information on other Apple devices, like an iPod, which Apple is already encouraging us to wear on our wrists by selling Nanos with watch faces.
Interestingly, a year ago, Apple hired wearable computer wizard Richard DeVaul. He is believed to be developing secret wearable product prototypes under the guidance of Jonathan Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of industrial design. Specifically, aNew York Times story described a curved glass iPod:
The iPhone 4S is one of the first devices to support Bluetooth 4.0. Today, the first accessory to take advantage of the new technology is a new Kickstarter project called Find My Car Smart.
Find My Car Smart uses a Bluetooth 4.0 powered dongle to transmit the location of a car that can then be picked up by an iOS app, letting a user find a car in a busy parking lot on a map. Due to it being a Kickstarter project, it will need to get enough backers to see the light of day. It’s pretty cool, nonetheless. So, if you’re interested make sure you pledge.
Microsoft is also getting in the Bluetooth accessory game with the release of a new tablet keyboard. The Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 5000 is portable and it will hook up with an iPad, Android tablet or any other device that supports Bluetooth.
Microsoft makes the Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 5000, available for $49 on their hardware store. If you can’t look past that Windows logo, you could always just buy an Apple wireless keyboard for $68,or even try Apple’s iPad Keyboard dock.
Earlier today, Mark Tweeted the amusing new file Apple put in iOS 5.1 beta 2 which includes a lot of silly references to devices that don’t exist. This isn’t entirely new – Apple had done this to another file in iOS 5.1B1.
As you’d probably expect, it isn’t going to stop developers from finding the special sause inside iOS 5.1B2. That doctored file is a high level file which is easily found. Developers which we are in contact with are already digging through the lower level stuff which remains the the feeding grounds for useful information.
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AirPlay, a proprietary protocol by Apple allowing for worry-free wireless streaming of audio, video, photos and related metadata between certified devices, is about to gain an enhanced support for the wireless Bluetooth standard via a new chip, Japanese blog Macotakara has learned. Apple apparently announced the new certification chip at a Shenzen, China conference organized for two thousand members of their MFI (Made For iPhone/iPad/iPod) program. The company is aiming to expand the market for wireless iOS accessories by a factor of seven by taking the IAP via Bluetooth (iPod Accessory Protocol) – first implemented in iOS 5 – to the Bluetooth 4.0 heights.
The new piece of silicon will enable future wireless accessories certified for use with the iPod, iPhone or iPad to stream content to and from a host iOS device using Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, in addition to WiFi AirPlay support. AirPlay over Bluetooth mitigates the need to connect to a WiFi network when AirPlaying your music, photos and movies. This feature comes into play when traveling, for example, or using your device in areas with no WiFi connectivity.
AirPlay already features a limited support for Bluetooth in that it can stream audio using the AD2P protocol. Apple has become a member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group board of directors back in June so they’re in a position to influence the development of the Bluetooth wireless standard.
Taking into account that Macotakara has had its share of misses in the past, this development really makes sense. iPhone 4S is the first handheld device from Apple to feature support for the new Bluetooth 4.0 wireless standard. It lets the handset connect to the mid-2011 MacBook Airs and Mac minis and future Bluetooth Smart Ready devices at an extremely low-power and low latency mode up to 50 meters away.
Instead of taking up to six seconds to pair like current Bluetooth implementations, Bluetooth 4.0 takes just six milliseconds – virtually instantly. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Think beyond Bluetooth headphones acting as an iPhone camera trigger.
One awesome possibility is the addition of Bluetooth 4.0 to the iPod nano. Low latency is especially important for gaming and healthcare accessories, so expect some big strides in those markets. Bluetooth 4.0 should also help reduce the lag when using the AirPlay mirroring feature in iOS 5 which lets you stream whatever is shown on your iOS device to your television set through the Apple TV set-top box. That’s only scratching the surface, though…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kT94Ovn7tIE#!]
Over the past month, I’ve been carrying around a Powerbag backpack from ful. The idea is pretty straight-forward. They put a 3000 mA battery inside a backpack complete with adapters for just about any device you’d ever want to charge. On heavy usage days, I have a mobile charge with me at all times. Instead of taking out all of my devices when I get home, I just plug in the bag.
Read on for the full review…
Logitech first started producing solar wireless keyboards for PCs earlier this year but didn’t make a Mac version until a few months ago. The PC version got incredibly solid reviews at Amazon so I thought this would be a good pick up for my Mac workstation when it was released. As a veteran of Apple’s original Wireless Keyboard, I was sick of dealing with battery and connectivity issues plus I wanted the full layout with numeric keypad, extra function keys extra and full arrows. I’ve been using it almost exclusively for the past three months.
First, I’ll say that the solar panels make the footprint about 25% bigger than a standard full Apple keyboard. That can be a hassle if you are cramped for space at your desk. On the other hand, the keyboard feels a bit more solid, perhaps because of the increased size and weight. Keystrokes are very similar feel to Apple’s standard keyboards and spacing and layout are all but identical. Logitech adds a power switch and battery tester at the top right.
I got the piano black version because it matches my monitor and my Logitech Mouse (which also works with this USB dongle) but there are 5 colors to choose from. I imagine the standard “silver” will be the most popular.
As far as the solar is concerned, I never had a single problem with charging or connection. I have a florescent lit basement office and a workspace with natural light from a shaded back yard and both kept the keyboard charged at all times. The keyboard usually sits in front of a large 30″ monitor, so that probably helps. But from reviews I’ve read, almost no one has a problem keeping this charged with normal office lighting so I don’t think this is a concern.
There are some tradeoffs for having solar, however…
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Macworld reminds us of a cool trick for iPhone photographers that will enable steadier shots than using the volume button on their iPhone. The trick is related to the volume trigger button on your iPhone’s Remote Earbuds, where you open the camera app, and then use the volume button on the headphones as a trigger. This is already helpful for steadier shots, or taking a better front-facing shot.
However, this trick can even be used with a Bluetooth device, as a sort of wireless remote, once paired. Interested in more iOS 5 camera tricks? Check out the iPhone’s built-in panorama mode.
When Apple ships new hardware elements in a product, they typically have good reason. With the future of wireless input devices flashing forward, Apple has realized that the next-generation of Bluetooth – Bluetooth Smart (4.0) – will be the ticket to Apple being a part of this integrated wireless future. Apple demonstrated this with the release of this Bluetooth 4.0-powered phone – the new iPhone 4S – and also with the addition of bluetooth 4.0 in the latest versions of the popular MacBook Air and Mac mini computers.
More evidence for a next-generation Apple TV:
The next-generation Apple TV, the one we first revealed as Apple TV 3,1 with the J33 codename, will include Bluetooth 4.0 technology. Before even getting into the advantages of Bluetooth 4.0, it is worth noting that our code-based finding in iOS 5.1 beta 1 of a next-generation Apple TV with Bluetooth 4.0 is further evidence that an Apple TV refresh will soon be upon us.
The advantages of Bluetooth 4.0:
Digitimes says we’ll only have to wait until March to get the long sought after 15 (and possibly 17) inch MacBook Airs.
Upstream suppliers of Apple have recently started shipping a small volume of components for a 15-inch ultra-thin notebook model from Apple in November and the device could be either MacBook Air or just a thinner MacBook Pro….Estimated by the product planning, mass shipments of the notebook device will start in March…While a 15-inch ultrabook model would be considered a full function machine, which consumers normally expect to have an optical drive, limitations over the thickness restriction of 0.8-inch for the ultrabook means the launch of a 15-inch machine with an optical drive and a thickness of less than 0.8-inch may not be in the plans until a later time.
It is uncertain whether these machines will be called MacBook Pros or Airs or just “MacBooks” at that point. The industry has been moving away from hard disc platter computers with optical drives and the recent flooding in Thailand, where many hard drives are manufactured, has only served to hasten that migration.
Intel is also expected to produce quad core Ivy Bridge i7 CPUs based on a 22nm platter that will shave 10W off the current chip power consumption, thereby allowing quad-core ultra portable laptops.
Apple in particular is limited to 35W in its 13-inch MacBook Pro chassis, we may see a quad-core option in the 2012 13-inch Ivy Bridge MacBook Pro as a result.
Beyond energy consumption benefits, Ivy Bridge processors have a 20% increase in CPU performance and up to 60% increase in integrated graphics performance over current Sandy Bridge models. They should also support 4K video.
The new MacBook is expected to appear as early as the second quarter of 2012, according to the report.
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