iPhone 8

iPhone design concept

With at least one model of the new iPhones coming later this year expected to be a major design change, analysts at Citi are predicting a ‘super cycle’ for iPhone sales and raising the target price for Apple stock.

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With growing speculation that a rumored 3D sensor on the iPhone 8 will be used for augmented reality applications, a Barclays research note has described the two different ways this could work. Based on supply-chain reports, Barclays believes Apple actually intends to use a combination of the two.

The simplest way to sense 3D space is to use what the note calls Time of Flight (ToF). An emitter transmits a signal (for example, in infrared) and times how long it takes to bounce off an object in front of the iPhone and return to a sensor. From a series of timed returns, the iPhone can build up a 3D image of what is in front of it.

But there’s a second method which uses a more sophisticated approach …

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Nikkei Asian Review is today out with a new note corroborating much of what we already know about this year’s iPhone refresh. The report reiterates the fact that Apple will introduce a new 5.8-inch OLED iPhone, as well as two new smaller devices with LCD panels.

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Imagine this possibility: Apple holds an iPhone event in September, unveils iterative iPhone 7s and 7s Plus upgrades shipping in 2-3 weeks, and a radically different iPhone 8 or iPhone Pro that won’t ship for another 4-6 weeks.

Even when the totally new iPhone does ship, supply is extremely constrained and only the very first pre-orders get stock before the end of the year. Would you be willing to wait it out for the dramatically different iPhone?

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Digitimes is today reporting that Apple has developed a custom fingerprint sensor replacement for Touch ID, which will allow Apple to offer biometric fingerprint recognition in the iPhone 8 — a device that is rumoured to have no bezels at all. The report describes the component as a ‘built-in’ sensor which very much implies that it is integrated into the screen.

Rather than use Synaptic or Qualcomm technology, Apple will reportedly be building its own system using Authentec algorithms and Privaris glass tech. Strangely, the report also says that the iPhone 8 will not go into mass production until September …

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Over the past few days, we’ve heard two conflicting reports regarding what sort of connection the upcoming iPhone 8 will feature. First, The Wall Street Journal reported that the upcoming iPhone will feature USB-C, with Apple shifting away from Lightning.

Then, earlier today, KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the iPhone 8 will feature Lightning connectivity with internal changes to support a faster charging.

Who do you believe?

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KGI is refuting claims made in the Wall Street Journal earlier this week that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 8 would replace Lightning with a USB-C port.

KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo today writes that this is not the case, all three new 2017 iPhones (two modest updates to existing iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and one radically-redesigned OLED bezel-less device) will retain the proprietary Lightning port. Apple will add fast charging capabilities with internal component changes …

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Apple’s stock price continues hitting record highs as anticipation builds for the company’s upcoming spring iPad event and next-generation iPhones.

AAPL today closed at a high of 139.79 per share following several record breaking days over the last month. The stock price also hit a high for intraday trading today reaching 140.15 before closing. The record stock prices put Apple’s market cap at 733.74B, not far off from its highest ever $775 billion record achieved back in 2015.

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With the iPhone 8 expected to adopt a near-bezel-free design, featuring a curved OLED screen, we’ve today been given a preview of the type of look we might expect – from Apple’s biggest competitor. The latest leaks of the Samsung Galaxy S8, due to be launched next month, show exactly this type of form factor.

Samsung has, however, taken a less hi-tech approach than that rumored for the iPhone 8 …

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With Apple widely expected to embed a fingerprint reader into the display of the iPhone 8, the company has patented a number of different technologies it could use to accomplish this.

One approach would limit fingerprint recognition to the bottom section of the display, meaning that authenticating a fingerprint would have to be a deliberate step, as it is with today’s Touch ID sensor. But a patented granted today would allow a fingerprint to be recognized anywhere on the screen, with Apple specifically arguing that authentication could then be completely automatic …

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A UBS research note seen by Business Insider says that Apple is believed to have more than 1,000 engineers working on an augmented reality project, and that the company’s first AR offering may be seen in the iPhone 8.

According to some industry sources, the company may have over 1,000 engineers working on a project in Israel that could be related to AR […] UBS expects Apple could implement new AR products as early as in the next iPhone, expected later this year, which could include “moderate 3D mapping … and possibly an AR software development kit,” the note says.

The note is consistent with a KGI one stating that the iPhone 8 will include a ‘revolutionary‘ camera able to sense 3D space …

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I wrote an opinion piece last year speculating on whether Apple would switch from Lightning to USB-C, and when it might do so. A new report today suggests that the company is planning to do so this year, in the iPhone 8.

I argued then that there were compelling reasons for Apple to make the switch. While the Lightning port is a clever standard, USB-C is even smarter and more capable. Adopting a single port across both Mac and iOS devices would massively simplify the cable and connector ecosystem. And the high-speed data transfer capabilities provided by USB-C would allow Apple devices to work together better than ever.

I addressed the three possible objections before, but let’s quickly summarize them here …

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Apple has filed a number of patent applications for different ways of embedding a fingerprint reader into a display, and one of these has today been granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Apple first applied for the patent in 2015.

In addition to allowing Apple to eliminate a separate Touch ID sensor, the patent also explains how embedding the reader into the screen can make for a more seamless experience …

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The Wall Street Journal has outlined their current thinking on the next new iPhone from Apple, colloquially dubbed the iPhone 8. They believe that Apple will replace the Lightning connector on the bottom of the phone with a USB-C port, ditching its own propriety connector with an industry standard.

The report also reaffirms rumors of the device featuring a large curved OLED display, losing the Home Button in favour of a new touch screen function area.

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All signs are pointing to Apple’s iPhone 8 arriving with new technologies that will replace Touch ID as we know it. So far the predicted possibilities include an optical fingerprint sensor, facial and gesture recognition, a next generation on-screen capacitive touch method, and as we reported last year when Apple filed the patent, ultrasonic imaging. More details have just come out about how sound imaging technology will work in a patent filed today by Apple.

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With wireless charging rumored to be included in the new iPhone 8 later this year, Reuters has reported new details about the scope of Apple’s focus on wireless charging at the company. Apple already uses inductive wireless charging on the Apple Watch, but Reuters says there are multiple teams at Apple working on the technology.

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Intel today took the wraps off of its new XMM7650 modem, which offers gigabit LTE performance and is the likely front-runner for the iPhone introduces later this year. As detailed by PC Mag, Intel’s new processor is a direct competitor to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X16. Apple, of course, is currently engaged in a legal battle with Qualcomm…

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Continuing its week of record-setting performance, AAPL stock hit yet another pair of all-time highs today. The stock closed at a new record high of $136.70, up from the previous all-time close record of $135.27 that was set last week.

Furthermore, AAPL hit a new intraday high of $136.75 today, up from the previous record of $136.27, which was set last week.

AAPL’s continued strong performance comes as Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty raised her target price for the stock and made a handful of predictions for the upcoming iPhone 8…

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Apple’s upcoming iPhone 8 is going to feature a major upgrade to the front camera, according to Apple analyst KGI Ming-Chi Kuo. A report published today says that the OLED iPhone will include a ‘revolutionary’ front camera and Infrared module that can sense the 3D space in front of it.

The analyst says the new components will be able to merge the depth information with the 2D images from the front camera for applications including face recognition, iris recognition, and 3D selfies …

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