Rumors

In need of a daily dose of rumors about future iPhones? Well, A Chinese-language blog claims the budget iPhone is on the way, while a Korean news outlet expects a version of the iPhone 5S with high-speed LTE.

Let's start with the most colorful rumor. Chinese tech blog lieyunwang claims -- via Brightwire -- that Hon Hai Precision (aka, Foxconn) has begun production of the entry-level iPhone, expected to be offered in several different colors.

What colors? A French site posted photos on Monday that claim to show the colorful back plates.

Meanwhile, the Chinese-language report states that the … Read more

Last week I made a visit to my local Verizon Wireless store. As the store employees rung up my wife's new Galaxy S4 and sang its praises, they talked even more giddily about the impending arrival of another phone on the nation's largest carrier -- the HTC One.

This is just one small-town store in a vast network of Verizon stores, mind you, but employees told me iPhone sales had fallen off in favor of Samsung's Note and Galaxy S lines, and that they were expecting even bigger things from the HTC One.

What I couldn't get a straight answer on was when the flagship Android phone might finally come to Big Red. It's been months since the last great hope for struggling HTC was released to the masses, and the HTC One has since landed on all other major carriers in the United States. … Read more

The second generation of Nexus 7 tablet could arrive before the end of July, according to one Google+ user who chatted with an Asus support rep.

The LiveChat, which Android Authority first posted yesterday, was between an Asus representative and Google+ user Tim P. In the chat, the rep tells Tim that the rumored Asus K009 would be offered to the public, "before the ending of July." [sic]

Taking things a step further, the agent went rogue and spilled a laundry list of hardware details. Reportedly, the Nexus 7 will run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and will … Read more

Maybe it's the arrival of the dog days of summer and a respite from hard news, but the rumor of a possible wearable computer from Apple is again making the rounds.

Apple has reportedly applied for a trademark for the "iWatch" name in Japan. The June 3 filing with the Japan Patent Office was made public last week, according to Bloomberg, which first reported on the application.

That would fit with the run of rumors throughout the year that Apple management is developing a wearable device -- in this case a watch or "smartwatch" that … Read more

Google's next version of Android may have taken its latest bow courtesy of a batch of leaked screenshots.

Images obtained and posted by Sammobile purport to reveal an early Android 4.3 build running on the Google Play Edition Galaxy S4. The screenshots clearly display the Android version number as 4.3, while the model number of GT-i9505G refers to Google's new "pure" version of the Galaxy S4.

Another screenshot shows that Google is apparently sticking with the Jelly Bean moniker for Android 4.3.

This isn't the first time Android 4.3 has surfaced … Read more

The idea of controlling an iPhone or iPad with a gesture may not be too farfetched. According to 9to5Mac, Apple is said to have included a head movement feature in its latest iOS 7 beta version.

With a simple quick jerk of the head to the left or right, users could be able to get to the home page, select apps, or control the device's volume.

The feature is apparently an accessibility option, which means it would have to be turned on by the user. Typically accessibility options are for people with disabilities who are hearing, vision, or physically … Read more

The iPhone 5 may not be quite as hot as its precedessors, at least according to a new report from Oppenheimer analyst Ittai Kidron.

In an investors note out Tuesday, Kidron cited retail checks that indicate "steady demand for the iPhone 4/4S and mixed demand for the iPhone 5." And the analyst predicts the trend will continue. As a result, he now expects iPhone sales of 26 million for the current quarter, down from his prior forecast of 27 million.

The September quarter may also be a bit dicey. Though Kidron still believes a new iPhone will … Read more

Apple and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company have reportedly reached a deal on next-gen Apple chips, extending all the way to silicon called the A9.

TSMC and its chip-design partner have secured a 3-year deal for Apple's A series chips, according to report on Monday at Digitimes.

"A deal whereby TSMC replaces or supplements Samsung, the incumbent supplier of Apple processors," the report said.

TSMC would be used for Apple's future A8, A9, and A9X chips, Digitimes said.

There is no mention in the article of the expected A7 chip (Apple's latest is the A6/A6X, … Read more

Apple may trim its iPhone build orders for the rest of 2013, at least according to a new report from analyst Peter Misek.

In an investors note released Sunday, Misek said Apple has already revised its build plans. iPhone orders for the calendar third quarter will be cut to 25 million to 30 million from 40 million to 45 million previously. And orders for the fourth quarter will drop to 50 million to 55 million from 60 million to 65 million.

Why the downturn? The analyst cited a few reasons, mostly notably iPhone inventory checks at the stores of three … Read more