O'Grady's PowerPage

Category: Samsung

  • Rumor: Apple considering a foldable iPad

    Rumor: Apple considering a foldable iPad

    Apple could be planning a foldable iPad in the future according to sources along the supply chain.

    Per a paywalled preview over at DigiTimes, Apple “is rumored to have been working on foldable smartphones for several years, reportedly is considering extending the effort to the tablet sector,” the preview says, citing sources from the upstream supply chain.

    The report corroborates existing rumors of a folding iPad, and back in January, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a foldable iPad would launch in 2024, although Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young said they had not heard anything about such a device at the time. Kuo said the foldable iPad would feature an all-new design and a lightweight and durable carbon fiber kickstand.

    Similar to foldable smartphones from companies such as Samsung and Google, a foldable iPad would feature a hinge that would allow the unit to be opened and closed like a book, thereby allowing for a much larger display than existing models when it is unfolded. A foldable iPad would likely be positioned above the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which starts at $1,099.

    Apple has yet to release any devices with foldable displays, and it’s rumored that the company is considering all options over the long term, including a foldable iPhone, iPad, and Mac. These devices could still be in the research and development stage, with no set timeline as to when they’ll enter production or be released to the market.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and DigiTimes

  • Rumor: iPhone 15 could use stacked battery technology, see heat and product life improvements via this method

    Rumor: iPhone 15 could use stacked battery technology, see heat and product life improvements via this method

    The rumor mill currently has it that the iPhone 15 could use a “stacked battery” that could result in lower heat and better overall battery life.

    According to prolific Android leaker “@RgcloudS” who posted a tweet about stacked battery development in Samsung devices, this feature could also be en route to Apple’s next-gen iPhone. While Samsung’s “on track” to introduce a stacked battery for smartphones, the leaker writes “Apple used it on the entire iP15 lineup,” referencing the iPhone 15.

    If true, this could offer some nifty benefits to the handset, such as faster charging, higher capacities, and considerably extended battery life.

    The leaker didn’t go into detail as to Apple’s own batteries but discussed Samsung’s prototype samples. Samsung has apparently been waiting for stacked battery equipment to arrive at a plant owned by subsidiary Samsung SDI.

    A stacked battery refers to a specific method in how a battery’s cells are assembled and packaged. A battery is made up of positive electrodes and negative electrodes, produced in long strips. In a typical battery cell, these are rolled up in a “winding” process before being packaged.

    A stacked battery cell instead uses the elements as well as separators, but folds them into zig-zagging layers instead of a roll., in what is referred to as lamination. The new process would allow for less wasted space as opposed to a wound cell, allowing for more material to be included, and therefore a higher capacity. The layered construction also means the battery works as a multi-pole battery rather than a single-pole wound battery. This allows there to be less resistance in the battery itself, so there is far less heat generated when it is charged or discharged. The heat itself would be generated more uniformly throughout the cell, as opposed to focusing across a single area. This process would mean that the battery itself won’t get worn out as quickly compared to wound battery cells, extending its life.

    The stacked battery can also be charged and discharged at far higher rates. This equates to faster charging of devices, as well as the potential for those devices to draw more power from the battery if required. Though still a relatively new technology for smartphones, this technology is commonly used to produce batteries for electric vehicles, a device that needs to massively draw power and recharge as quickly as possible and benefits greatly from higher densities.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and @RGcloudS

  • Display analyst Ross Young tweets out possible specs for Apple’s AR headset

    Display analyst Ross Young tweets out possible specs for Apple’s AR headset

    Noted display analyst Ross Young has tweeted out some interesting details that may serve as specifications for Apple’s forthcoming AR headset, which is believed to be announced this week at WWDC.

    Apple hasn’t announced any details of its first foray into Augmented Reality headsets, and won’t until at least WWDC. But any headset will feature two screens, one for each of the wearer’s eyes, and Young says he has the details.

    “You want more, I will give you more,” begins his tweet as seen by AppleInsider. He goes on to list “Micro OLED specs for Apple’s AR/VR headset,” which are:

    • 1.41 inches diagonal
    • Targeting 4000:1 contrast
    • Targeting >5000 nits of brightness

    Young’s tweet doesn’t clarify the exact meaning of the “targeting” term, and it’s unknown whether these specifications, if correct, are from earlier plans for the device.

    The brightness level Young quotes will be a peak level so it’s not known what the level will be in regular use. For comparison, the Meta Quest 2 is reported to have 100 nits brightness on its single Fast Switch LCD screen.

    Similarly, Sony’s Playstation VR2 has a stated brightness of 265 nits with its pair of OLED screens.

    It’s been rumored that Apple will use micro OLED technology in either of its AR or VR headsets for some time, and it’s thought that Samsung Display will produce the screens.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and @DSCCRoss

  • Rumor: Apple to begin mass producing its own microLED displays

    Rumor: Apple to begin mass producing its own microLED displays

    When in doubt, roll your own.

    According to Nikkei Asia, Apple will begin mass producing its own microLED displays in order to lessen its reliance on Samsung, increase control over its supply chain, and lay the groundwork to realize its ultimate goal of bringing the technology to iPhones.

    Per sources close to the story, Apple has invested at least $1 billion on microLED research and development over the past decade. Once production begins, Apple will perform the critical “mass transfer” step of the manufacturing process, which involves placing at least tens of thousands of tiny microLED chips onto substrates.

    The company is said to be planning to fabricate the tiny microLED chips directly onto wafers and will partner with ams-Osram for the microLED components, LG Display for the substrates, and TSMC for 12-inch wafers. The process will reportedly be carried out at Apple’s secretive R&D facilities in the Longtan District in the northern Taiwanese city of Taoyuan.

    Apple currently has R&D teams working on the units in the United States, Taiwan, and Japan, and is said to have designed not only the driver integrated circuits for the units, but some of its own production equipment to better control the mass transfer process. This will allow Apple to eventually adopt the display technology in products that traditionally use OLED panels supplied by Samsung and other suppliers.

    In spite of the groundwork Apple’s already completed, microLED display production remains challenging with higher manufacturing costs, which is why Apple will start rolling out the technology with the Apple Watch Ultra before ultimately mass-producing microLED displays for iPhones. The technology allows for higher brightness, decreased power consumption, improved contrast ratio, and other benefits compared to current iPhones with OLED displays.

    The updated Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display is expected in 2025, and the first iPhone to adopt the technology is likely still several years away from launching. All four iPhone 15 models coming later this year are expected to feature OLED displays.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Nikkei Asia

  • Apple and Google announce partnership to address unwanted tracking, bring notifications across both iOS and Android platforms

    Apple and Google announce partnership to address unwanted tracking, bring notifications across both iOS and Android platforms

    Apple and Google announced a new partnership on Tuesday to lead an “industry specification to address unwanted tracking.” Through the partnership, Apple and Google will create a “draft specification” to alert users about possible unwanted tracking by AirTags and other Bluetooth item trackers.

    While iOS currently offers a robust set of features to help counter unwanted tracking and stalking via AirTag item trackers, the native iOS features aren’t open to third-party item tracker companies such as Tile. Apple does offer a “Tracker Detect” application to locate nearby AirTags with an Android device, the app doesn’t scan for nearby accessories in the background. Instead, it only scans a user’s surroundings after the user initiates the scan.

    The technology proposed by the Apple/Google partnership would aim to address these limitations.

    The companies have submitted a “proposed industry specification” to help combat the misuse of item trackers. The specification created by Apple and Google has been submitted as an Internet-Draft via the Internet Engineering Task Force. The combined technology would allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across both iOS and Android.

    In addition to Apple and Google, companies including Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, Eufy Security, and Pebblebee have expressed interest in supporting this technology. Apple says that it and Google will solicit feedback from other players in the industry as they continue to develop and refine the technology.

    Today Apple and Google jointly submitted a proposed industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices for unwanted tracking. The first-of-its-kind specification will allow Bluetooth location-tracking devices to be compatible with unauthorized tracking detection and alerts across iOS and Android platforms. Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, Eufy Security, and Pebblebee have expressed support for the draft specification, which offers best practices and instructions for manufacturers, should they choose to build these capabilities into their products.

    Apple and Google will release a production implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts by the end of 2023. The technology will then be supported in future versions of iOS and Android.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac