Allied to the series of reports we've already assessed in the growing stockpile of iOS 8-related rumors, we heard a short while ago that Apple may be planning to introduce split-screen multitasking with the iPad at some point this year with the release of iOS 8. The concept you see below, designed by concept maker Sam Beckett, is quite similar to what Apple is alleged to be planning, and offers a fairly decent, animated representation of the iPad's dual-window interface.
We've been inundated with rumor and speculation pertaining to the smaller of the two new, larger iPhone 6 variants, which is set to arrive with a 4.7-inch display. But even though it seems fairly certain that the reportedly delayed, 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will manifest at some point shortly after its less sizeable cousin, we haven't seen much by way of leaks. Today, however, a case has emerged offering an insight into the form factor of the "phablet" edition of the iPhone 6, which touts dimension almost identical to an earlier schematics leak.
To me, it seems strange that one would spend vast amounts of money on a premium product like an Apple iPad, but not pony up the money for a decent, official spare charger. Counterfeit charging accessories make big bucks for those behind them, but as a side-by-side tear-down of real vs. bootleg demonstrates, the malpractices involved can lead to fires, minor explosions, and general damage to your prized Apple slate.
Apple's reported acquisition of Beats Electronics for the tidy sum of $3.2 billion mightn't have been officially confirmed as yet, but if new information out of Japan is to be considered, it looks very much as though Apple does indeed want to increase its interest in the audio market. Apparently, the Cupertino company is looking to bake high definition (HD) audio playback into its upcoming iOS 8 software, which would also see the company introduce a higher fidelity, "HD-ready" Lightning connector and improved in-ear headphones to match.
By now, we've established a reasonably solid idea of what to expect from the iPhone 6, and having seen a myriad of mockups over the last couple of weeks, some high-quality comparison videos have just emerged that note of the similarities and differences between it and the current iPhone 5s. Given that the upcoming device will, from what we gather, be largely remnant of the iPod touch, one of the clips also looks at how the iPhone 6 holds up against the forgotten member of the iOS device line.
You would think that Apple's iPhone 6 was releasing imminently given the immense amount of coverage that Apple's forthcoming smartphone has commanded during the past couple of months. But as many analysts and commentators have already noted, it is the fact that it may finally compete with rivaling devices for sheer size that the world cannot get enough of the next big thing out of Cupertino. For a little more perspective on the iPhone 6 - as if ever it were needed - below you can check out a comparison of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 versus HTC's just-released One M8 handset.
With the way things are going, it's debatable whether Apple will need to announce the iPhone 6 officially at all, with all the important bits of information already beginning to circulate around the internet, and with months to go before Apple's execs take to the stage to announce what we all expect to be the iPhone 6, we're already starting to form quite the picture about what they will be there to show to the world.
Apple's iPhone 6, although unannounced, has been leaked ad nauseam during the past couple of weeks in the form of photos and mock-up dummies, with eager fans 3D printing models the latest specifications in order to try and get a feel for what's in store. But if you don't happen to own a 3D printer, or don't know anybody who'll let you use theirs, then you can go out and buy your very own iPhone 6 model right now. Designed by Martin Hajek, it's as accurate a representation of the device as we have based upon the most recent info, and for the cost of around fifty bucks, you could be the proud owner of one plastic, non-working iPhone 6.
This week's big tech headline came on Thursday, as it was revealed that Beats Electronics was to be acquired by Apple for a upward of $3 billion. Not only does it represent the Cupertino's costliest purchase in its history, but it's also the first time that Apple has moved in for a high-profile, well-known commercial entity, and its a move that will also render Beats' two most influential figures - Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine - members of Apple's executive team.
With the iPhone 6 just around the corner - well, almost - people could be forgiven for forgetting that the current iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are still very much available to buy. Even though the pair are now coming up on their one year anniversary, the iPhone 5s in particular can still hold its own in the current smartphone market, and if you can't wait for its successor you could do much worse than pick one up. If you've got an old iPhone to trade in too, now's the time to get yourself down to an Apple Store.
