Next generation iPhone, iPad mini reportedly facing production delays

[Shawn Knight]

Apple’s next iPhone is widely expected to debut sometime this summer but according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo, the handset and the next iPad mini have been met with production difficulties that could result in delayed launches.

In a note to investors, he said Apple wants to include fingerprint scanning technology in the next iPhone which would allow users to unlock a device without having to enter a passcode. The hurdle for Apple is figuring out how to prevent interference from coating material used under the cover glass, Kuo said.

One would assume that such technology would come from security firm AuthenTec – an asset that Apple scooped up last year for $356 million. The company makes fingerprint sensors and identity management software which they used to license to companies like LG, Motorola and Samsung before the acquisition.

The next iPad mini will reportedly use a high density Retina panel like its bigger brother which is causing some production challenges as well. The analyst essentially said the same thing back in January so this really isn’t any sort of breaking news.

Finally, Kuo said Apple’s plans to release a low-cost iPhone have been met with production difficulties, too. Notably, the casing for the phone - rumored to be plastic like the first few generations - is giving Apple trouble. One would think that if a company had used similar building materials in the past, it wouldn’t be difficult to figure out how to pull it off once again.

The KGI Securities analyst has a solid track record with regard to Apple predictions as he correctly forecasted Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina last year as well as details about the iPod and iPad.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/52220-next-generation-iphone-ipad-mini-reportedly-facing-production-delays.html

 

[Jad Chaar]

That would be cool to have a fingerprint scanner that can read your fingerprint as you swipe to unlock. I wonder if this tech even exists or the fingerprint isnt distinct enough to read.

 

[St1ckM4n]

Of course they have production issues on retina mini. The resolution has to be exactly the same as iPad Big, which will probably make the Mini the highest PPI device available. This will also make it sell like hotcakes.

The other alternative is to NOT make the resolutions the same. Considering there is no UI or screen scaling in iOS development, I have no idea how this option can even work. It would break the whole Apple 'model'.


Edit: Either way, their model is already crumbling. A Retina+ screen? Makes no sense, since the retina screen is magical and the best you can get (says Apple). Their mobile device model started crumbling with the iPhone5 screen size.

 

[oldikes]

That would be cool to have a fingerprint scanner that can read your fingerprint as you swipe to unlock. I wonder if this tech even exists or the fingerprint isnt distinct enough to read.

my 2710p laptop made in what, 2006 or 7 or 8? idk one of those has one. Im sure theyve gotten substantially more accurate and fast since then too.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Well, visualize an iPhone lock screen. The slide to unlock. It is quite wide. So having to read a finger while swiping that large area is tough. I am trying to portray the "Slide to unlock":

 

[captainawesome]

Hmmm this is just one of the many string of articles that have a very different tinge to them wrt Apple than it did just 1 year ago. Either the death of Jobs is finally setting in or the Universe is just trying to restore order. Either way, I hope this forces them to double down on R&A and innovate beyond everyone's wildest dreams.
Moreover, looking at todays landscape of spec-crazy cretins, they should just release a 16 core chip to appease the masses. Maybe even with 14 of them "low power/idle chips" like the octa in the S4.
anyway, I think what Apple really need now is a refresher. No simply a better camera or better maps or better CPU. They need an iPhone "Macro" with iOS8. They can just skip 7 coz it's so overdue it's already boring.

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Can we say they're late if they haven't promised a release date? The product cycles for phones and tablets are so short that it's almost impossible to get all the pieces in line to make for a fast release. It's like planning wedding events down to the second... all you're going to do is guarantee failure. The HTC One was a little late, and Samsung is smart enough to say '2nd quarter' when they promise a release, and then they don't tell us when something will be coming out until 2 days before hand when supplies are already at vendors ready to be sold. The Note 8 came out what, yesterday and the release date was announced 3 days ago?

Apple already is a little behind because their phones are coming out after the Android phones. The S3 came out a few months before the 5 and the S4/One will be out before the 5S or 6. Apple used to be ahead in this race, I'm not sure how they got passed up... maybe the tight manufacturing of the iPhone 5 made for a longer cycle.