Apple's largest ever iPhones said to start mass output next month

The current iPhone, the 5S, has a 4-inch screen. Photo: Getty Images

Apple suppliers in China will begin mass production of its largest iPhones ever next month, according to people familiar with the plans, as the smartphone maker faces increased competition.

Apple is ramping up on two bigger devices, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. One model will have a 4.7-inch display, compared to the 4-inch screen of the current iPhone 5s, that may be available to ship to retailers around September, said two of the people. A 5.5-inch version is also being prepared for manufacturing and may be available at the same time, the people said.

The new iPhones will also be rounder and thinner than previous models, said one of the people. Production of the 5.5-inch model is more complicated than the smaller version, resulting in lower production efficiency that must be overcome before manufacturing volume can be increased, said the person.

Apple is getting ready for its annual unveiling of new iPhones after rivals including Samsung and HTC released smartphones with displays that are as large as 5.7 inches. Consumers have been gravitating toward larger-screen devices — in China, 40 percent of mobile gadgets based on Google's Android operating system that were sold in 2014 had display sizes of more than 5 inches, according to an estimate from Forrester Research.

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Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook is under pressure to reignite Apple's sales growth and the iPhone, which generates more than half of the company's annual revenue, remains his chief weapon. Last year, the smartphone produced $91 billion in revenue alone, more than the total sales of Oracle, Yahoo, Facebook and Twitter combined.

Natalie Kerris, a spokeswoman for Cupertino, California- based Apple, declined to comment.

http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/apples-largest-ever-iphones-said-to-start-mass-output-next-month-20140625-zskxi.html

Apple smartwatch coming soon: report

About time: One of the many iWatch concept photos making the rounds online. Photo: Todd Hamilton

• Smartwatches from Apple, Google mean fitness-tracking device trend over

Apple is likely to launch a computerised wristwatch this year that includes more than 10 sensors to take health measurements and other data, according to a published report.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Apple is planning multiple screen sizes for the device, which some people have dubbed the iWatch.
Samsung, Sony, Qualcomm and others have already released smartwatches, but the gadgets have mostly functioned as companions to smartphones, offering email notifications, clock functions and the like. Samsung's Gear 2 line, released this year, added fitness-related apps and has a heart rate sensor.

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There's been longstanding speculation that Apple has been working on a smartwatch. The main question has been when it would come out.
Apple intensified speculation this month when it said the upcoming version of its mobile operating system, iOS 8, will include tools for managing health data. The software is expected in September, along with new iPhones.
Apple has been under pressure to release new products, as investors question whether the company that popularized the smartphone and the tablet computer is still able to innovate following the death of co-founder Steve Jobs. CEO Tim Cook has hinted at new products coming this year, but the company hasn't provided details.
Citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, the Journal said production of the smartwatch is expected to begin in two or three months at Quanta Computer, a Taiwanese company that has worked on Apple's Mac computers. Sales of the device could begin as early as October.
Apple declined comment in line with its policy of not discussing future products.
APhttp://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/apple-smartwatch-coming-soon-report-20140623-zsipk.html