• Tuesday, May 22, 9:26 AM 9to5 Mac provides the latest rumor about the next iPhone sporting a larger display. According to its source, Apple (AAPL) has two iPhone prototypes in testing that sport a 3.95" display with an 1136x640 resolution (the 4S' has a 960x640 resolution), which indicates a wider aspect ratio. It's added Apple is testing versions of iOS 6 that are custom-built for the larger display. If the rumor is true, some developers might not be thrilled about the change in dimensions. (previous) 3 Comments [Tech]
• Monday, May 21, 6:07 PM Sony (SNE) recently began mass production of "in-cell" touch panels that will be used in Apple's (AAPL) next iPhone, the Taipei Times reports. It's added Sharp (SHCAY.PK), Toshiba (TOSBF.PK), and LG Display (LPL) will also supply Apple with in-cell panels, which can reduce a device's thickness and weight relative to conventional touch panel tech. 1 Comment [Tech]
• Monday, May 21, 5:57 PM Leveraging the patents the companies acquired last year from Nortel, AAPL, MSFT, RIMM, SNE, and ERIC have officially entered the patent-trolling business via the Rockstar Consortium. Funded by the aforementioned companies and owning 4,000 ex-Nortel patents, Rockstar examines tech products for evidence of infringement, and demands licensing fees when it's found. Since Rockstar, unlike its owners, doesn't make anything, it can't be countersued. 2 Comments [Tech]
• Monday, May 21, 4:26 PM An ITC administrative law judge rules against Eastman Kodak (EKDKQ.PK) in its patent infringement suit against Apple (AAPL) and Research in Motion (RIMM). The ruling (.pdf), subject to review by the commission, declares Apple and RIM to be infringing only one claim within Kodak's image-preview patent, and calls that claim invalid due to "obviousness." (previous) 3 Comments [Tech]
• Monday, May 21, 1:52 PM Morgan Stanley's Adam Parker provides some Chuck Norris-like facts about Apple's (AAPL +4.4%) stock, up sharply as investors declare it a value relative to Facebook. Among Parker's facts: Apple will soon likely have the S&P's largest market weight since 1986; it accounts for 9% of the S&P's trading volume (highest of any company since '82); and it accounts for over 1% of the portfolios of 26% of large hedge funds, as well as over 10% or more of the portfolios of 4% of hedge funds. (earlier) 4 Comments [Tech]
• Monday, May 21, 10:45 AM Piper's Gene Munster declares there's an 80% chance Apple (AAPL +3.4%) will hit his sales forecasts for the next-gen iPhone, in spite of Qualcomm's (QCOM) 28nm chip supply issues. In typical form, Munster adds the next iPhone will trigger the biggest "upgrade cycle in smartphone history." Meanwhile, Jefferies' Peter Misek predicts Apple will lower the unsubsidized price of the iPhone 3GS to $250-$300, to help it better compete with Android in emerging markets. (previous) 2 Comments [Tech, On the Move]
• Monday, May 21, 9:17 AM Don't expect Apple's (AAPL) patent negotiations with Samsung (SSNLF.PK) to result in a complete settlement, says Phillip Elmer-Dewitt. While Apple has indicated a willingness to cross-license some IP, both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook have suggested Apple will maintain a hard-line stance on patents deemed critical to its inventions. The comments come as some HTC phones held up by customs due to its ITC dispute with Apple are released. Comment! [Tech]
• Sunday, May 20, 6:59 AM Samsung (SSNLF.PK) says that while "there is still a big gap" in its patent war with Apple (AAPL), it still has "several negotiation options including cross-licensing." CEO Choi Gee-sung is due to meet Tim Cook in a U.S. court tomorrow to resolve the IP disputes. Comment! [Tech, Consumer]
• Friday, May 18, 6:52 PM As Microsoft (MSFT) and PC OEMs hope the fall release of Windows 8 systems featuring ARM-based (ARMH) processors will give their PC/tablet sales a lift, the OEMs are reportedly struggling to reach tablet price points they consider necessary to compete with the iPad (AAPL) and Kindle Fire (AMZN), due to Microsoft's insistence on a $90-$100 Windows license fee. Concerns also exist about the software compatibility issues facing ARM-based hardware. 19 Comments [Tech]
• Friday, May 18, 4:17 PM Eastman Kodak (EKDKQ.PK) accuses Apple (AAPL) of trying to undermine the sale of its patent portfolio in order to avoid paying $1B in royalties Kodak deems Apple to owe for its infringement (subject to a pending ITC ruling) of a patent covering a digital camera's ability to preview images. Apple is accusing Kodak of misappropriating technology the companies collaborated on; Kodak believes Apple's move is a stalling tactic. (previous) 2 Comments [Tech]
• Friday, May 18, 1:14 PM As Kantar Comtech reports Windows Phone is creating a foothold in the U.S. and Europe, Microsoft's (MSFT) China chief boasts the OS now claims 7% of the Chinese smartphone market, more than the 6% share he assigns to the iPhone. However, Canalys estimated the iPhone had 19% of the Chinese market in Q1, after Apple (AAPL) reported FQ2 Chinese sales tripled Y/Y. Sepeately, Lumia 900 (NOK) backer AT&T (T) predicts Windows 8 will give a lift to Windows Phone sales. 1 Comment [Tech]
• Friday, May 18, 12:13 PM While Facebook underwhelms on its big day, Apple (AAPL +1.4%) is outperforming after a string of selloffs. Possibly helping is a bullish note from Morgan Stanley's Katy Huberty (previous), who predicts average U.S. household spending on Apple gear will go from $444 in 2011 to $635 in 2013, and reach $888 (!) in 2015, provided rumors (I, II, III) of an iTV pan out. Meanwhile, BMO says its talks with carriers suggest they want to cut iPhone subsidies, but that actually doing so could prove tough. 28 Comments [Tech, Quick Ideas]
• Friday, May 18, 9:20 AM Bloomberg backs up a recent WSJ report suggesting the next iPhone will have a larger display: its sources also claim Apple (AAPL) has placed orders for displays larger than 3.5", while adding Steve Jobs worked closely on the next-gen iPhone in his final months. Past rumors have claimed the device will also sport a 4G modem and a smaller dock connector. 5 Comments [Tech]
• Thursday, May 17, 7:23 PM Steve Jobs dreamed of building an iCar, claims Apple (AAPL) board member/J. Crew CEO Mickey Drexler, though he didn't design one prior to his death. Drexler also provides more grist for the iTV rumor mill. "You know, Apple has 10 products ... the living room they're dealing with at some point in the near future." 2 Comments [Tech]
• Thursday, May 17, 7:10 PM Nokia's (NOK) Lumia launches have allowed Windows Phone (MSFT) to claim 6% of the German smartphone market and 3%-4% of the U.S., British, French, and Italian markets, reports Kantar Comtech. Meanwhile, Android's (GOOG) share has surged 72% in Spain, 49% in Italy, and 62% in Germany, though its lead relative to the iPhone (AAPL) has narrowed in the U.S. and U.K. Symbian and the BlackBerry (RIMM) continue to bleed share. 7 Comments [Tech]
• Thursday, May 17, 7:00 PM The U.S. District Court of Delaware has ordered Apple (AAPL) and HTC into face-to-face mediation talks to settle their legal differences over their recent patent dispute. The order requires counsel and key decision makers from both companies to attend the session on August 28. AAPL +0.2% AH. 7 Comments [Tech]