New iPad, iPad mini to sport improved 8-megapixel rear camera: Report

Apple will put an improved 8-megapixel rear camera sensor on the fifth generation iPad and the second-generation iPad mini, if KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s predication is to be believed.

The analyst’s predications have been pretty accurate in the past. Kuo mentions that the new camera module will features a larger aperture, similar to the one found on the recently launched iPhone 5s. He has also indicated that the ASP (average Selling Price) of the camera lens module will increase by 10 to 20 percent due to this change.

In a note (via MacRumors) the firm said, “We predict Apple (US) will launch new iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 (so called retina iPad mini) in 4Q13. As the tablet market becomes increasingly competitive, Appl could upgrade the camera as a selling point for the new iPad in a bid to increase competitiveness. We expect the upgrade will include 8MP rear camera, up from 5MP, and larger aperture. Lens modules ASP will raise 10-20 percent on this optics spec upgrade.”

Apple has not focused much on the rear cameras of its iPad tablets, at least not when compared to its focus on the iPhone’s camera. The current-generation iPad and iPad mini both sport a 5-megapixel camera without an LED flash.

It’s not clear if the other components of the next-generation iPad and iPad mini’s camera modules will also be upgraded to make them on par with the iPhone 5s camera. The iPhone 5s camera includes a True Tone Flash that features a white LED and amber LED which work with software algorithms to adjust flash intensity and colour temperature. It also offers a Slo-Mo mode to shoot slow motion video at 120 frames per second at 720p.

Kuo also mentions that the Retina display equipped iPad mini launch in the fourth quarter of 2013. Interestingly, a new report indicates that Apple will be unable to widely roll out a new versions of the iPad mini with a high-resolution “Retina” display in October, citing people who work in the company’s supply chain as a source. These people added that Apple’s supply chain is only now gearing up to make Retina displays for the iPad mini,, which means the tablets could be available in only limited quantities this year, if at all.

Apple is expected to unveil the new iPad tablets at an event in October; however, there’s no official word from the company on the same.

ASUS launched MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10

According to the slew of IFA announcements as well as the MeMO Pad HD7, ASUS has added two new MeMO Pad tablets in its portfolio that are MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10. As well as we all know that for certain is ASUS will be using quad-core 1.6GHz SoCs, but considering the MeMO Pad HD 7 uses a quad-core Mediatek MT8125 (4 x Cortex-A7), that would be seem the likely SoC of choice for the new MeMO Pads as well.

The Asus MeMO Pad 8 has been comes with the features of 8-inch display with 1280x800 pixel resolution. It is powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core processor along with 1GB of RAM It sports a 5-megapixel camera that can record 720p videos and a 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera. Its weight would be measures in 350g and its width is 127mm. The Asus MeMO Pad 8 has 8GB of internal storage and also support microSDXC card slot for a expandable to the memory space.

On the comparison of Asus MeMO Pad 10, it comes with 10-inch IPS display with 1280x800 pixels display resolution. It weighs 522 grams. The MeMo Pad 10 sports 2-megapixel rear cameras which have capability to record HD videos and also includes a 1.2-megapixel front camera for video chat. It is powered by 1.6GHz quad-core processor along with 1GB of RAM. The Asus MeMO Pad 10 can deliver up to 9.5 hours battery life with HD video playback. He tablet in two storage variants – 8GB and 16GB with support for a microSDXC card slot.

Both the tablet features dual speakers with Asus SonicMaster audio technology. However not properly confirms the price about of both two tablets when they will be available in them market. 

Tablet sales slow in absence of new iPad model: IDC

Sizzling hot tablet sales have cooled a bit but should re-ignite with the release of a new iPad model later this year, market tracker IDC reported on Monday.

The International Data Corporation report came as research firm Forrester forecast that tablet sales would rise rapidly worldwide in the years ahead.

Global tablet shipments in the second quarter of this year declined 9.7 percent from the prior three-month period, according to IDC.

However, tablet shipments climbed nearly 60 percent to 45.1 million units when compared with the same quarter a year earlier, IDC reported.

A quarter-over-quarter slowdown in sales was expected given that Apple did not unleash a new version of its coveted iPad early in the year as it had in the past, according to IDC analysts.

"A new iPad launch always piques consumer interest in the tablet category and traditionally that has helped both Apple and its competitors," said IDC tablets research director Tom Mainelli.

"By the fourth quarter we expect new products from Apple, Amazon, and others to drive impressive growth in the market."

Worldwide tablet sales will reach 381 million units in the year 2017, with business accounting for 18 percent of the purchases, according to a Forrester forecast authored by JP Gownder and Michael O'Grady.

"We believe tablet sales and penetration will continue to grow rapidly," Gownder said Monday in a blog post.

"In developed markets, they will streak past 'mass market' status to become what we term 'mainstay' devices - a third form factor carried by most online consumers."

Apple shipped 14.6 million iPads during the second quarter of this year in a 14.1 percent drop from the same quarter last year, according to IDC.

Meanwhile, sales of tablets grew for Apple rivals Samsung, Asus, Lenovo, and Acer, market figures showed.

"The tablet market is still evolving and vendors can rise and fall quickly as a result," said IDC mobility tracker program manager Ryan Reith.

"Apple aside, the remaining vendors are still very much figuring out which platform strategy will be successful over the long run."

While Apple remained the top tablet maker, Google-back Android mobile software used by a variety of the California company's competitors accounted for 62.6 percent of the market in the second quarter, according to IDC.

"To date, Android has been far more successful than the Windows 8 platform," Reith said, in a reference to Microsoft operating software.

"However, Microsoft-fueled products are starting to make notable progress into the market."

About two million Windows-powered tablets were shipped in the second quarter in an increase of more than five times from the same three-month period last year, according to IDC.

Microsoft on Monday knocked $100 off the price of high-end versions of its Surface tablet, which is competing against Apple's iPad and devices that use Google's Android system.

ITC delays word on whether Samsung infringes Apple's patents

The U.S. International Trade Commission said on Thursday it would delay a decision on whether some mobile phones and tablets made by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd infringe on Apple Inc's patents.

The decision had been expected on Thursday but was put off until August 9. No reason was given for the delay.

The ITC is a popular venue for patent infringement lawsuits since it has the power to ban the importation of devices that infringe on patents.

The delay comes as the same companies - which are waging legal battles in some 10 countries - await a decision from the Obama administration on whether to stick with an ITC decision finding that some Apple devices infringe a Samsung patent. That decision is now due.

The ITC ruled on June 4 that some older iPad and iPhone models made to use AT&T's network infringed on a Samsung patent that allows the ability of devices to transmit multiple services simultaneously and correctly through 3G wireless technology.

If the decision is upheld, the import or sale of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G distributed by AT&T would be banned in the United States.

The case delayed on Thursday at the International Trade Commission is No. 337-796.

Microsoft Surface sales figures paint a sorry picture

Microsoft Corp's Surface tablets have yet to make any profit as sputtering sales have been eclipsed by advertising costs and an accounting charge, according to the software company's annual report.

The two tablet models, introduced in October and February to challenge Apple Inc's popular iPad, have so far brought in revenue of $853 million, Microsoft revealed for the first time in its annual report filed with regulators on Tuesday.

That is less than the $900 million charge Microsoft announced earlier this month to write down the value of unsold Surface RT - the first model - still on its hands.

On top of that, Microsoft said its sales and marketing expenses increased $1.4 billion, or 10 percent, because of the huge advertising campaigns for Windows 8 and Surface. It also identified Surface (Review I Pictures) as one of the reasons its overall production costs rose.

The Surface is Microsoft's first foray into making its own computers after years of focusing on software, but its first attempts have not won over consumers. By comparison, Apple sold almost $24 billion worth of iPads over the last three quarters.

Samsung working on 12.2 and 10-inch tablets

Samsung is in the news again with a new report now claiming that the South Korean device maker is allegedly working on tablets with 12.2-inch and 10-inch displays.

Twitter user @evleaks has revealed the specifications of Samsung SM-P900 and P600 which he claims are the model numbers of tablets featuring a 12.2-inch and 10-inch display, respectively. The tweet by @evleaks said, "Samsung SM-P900: 12.2-inch, Exynos 5 octa, 2560x1600, S-pen; P600: 10-inch, Snapdragon 800, also 2560x1600."

The tweet clearly mentions that the alleged 12.2-inch and 10-inch tablets will boast of a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels and would be powered by Exynos Octa 5 and Snapdragon 800 processor, respectively. The SM-P900 will supposedly support S-Pen, as per @evleaks.

Another technology site, RB Men has also published specifications of the alleged 12.2-inch model variant of the Samsung tablet dubbed as SM-P900. The site suggests that the SM-P900 tablet will run Android 4.2.

We had earlier reported about Samsung developing a 12.2-inch tablet of its own. The report claimed that the displays will be made by Sharp and will be based on IGZO (Indum-Gallium Zinc Oxide) technology. They'll sport a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels and will come with an S Pen stylus, which is usually bundled with devices under the Galaxy Note series. Samsung is likely to launch the tablet in the third quarter of 2013. It's worth mentioning that Apple is also said to be testing a large screen iPad measuring slightly less than 13-inches diagonally as per rumours.

Samsung has been launching tablets and phablets in various display sizes, one can fathom so it doesn't really come as a surprise but the tablets appear to be targeted at power users judging by their specifications. The South Korean device maker's list of screen sizes includes devices across 6.3-inch, 7-inch, 8-inch and 10.1-inch screens. The alleged SM-P900 will be the biggest device from the stable of Samsung in terms of screen size. However, there's no official word from the company about the two devices.

Meanwhile, Samsung's next generation Galaxy Note phablet, the Galaxy Note III has also been in the news for quite some time though there's no official word from the company, yet. The latest rumour claims that the alleged Galaxy Note III will feature a 5.7-inch display, 3GB of RAM and the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS.