The seventh-generation iPod Nano now offers a bigger display, thinner design, and a new volume rocker.

The new iPod Nano will please people who've been craving a larger display. But those who want to wear one as a watch are out of luck. Apple said today that it wanted to "reinvent the product," and it's done just that. The new Nano sports a 2-inch, multitouch screen, almost resembling a traditional MP3 player. The latest model is also 40 percent thinner than the sixth-generation version.

A new volume rocker on the side lets users play, pause, and scroll through the music, while the built-in FM tuner includes a live pause feature. The new models comes in a variety of colors, including purple, green, blue, yellow, red, black, silver, all of them giving the Nano an anodized aluminum look. The default background wallpaper matches the color of the device itself. Pictures unveiled of the new Nano sport a home screen with apps. But they're the usual Nano apps rather than apps from Apple's App store. Fitness and pedometer apps are built in, and the Nano integrates with Nike+ out of the box.

No Web browser or Wi-Fi are included, but Bluetooth is part of the package, so you can wirelessly stream music and video to headphones, speakers, and other Bluetooth devices. The new Nano also takes advantage of Apple's new Lighting Dock connector. Apple's still diminutive iPod Shuffle remains unchanged from last year's model but is getting a new choice of paint job to match all the new colors available with the Nano. Though we were hoping the nano would go for a more watch-like form factor, the new design gives you a solid 16GB media player for $149.

SAN FRANCISCO—September 12, 2012—Apple® today announced iPhone® 5, the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, completely redesigned to feature a stunning new 4-inch Retina™ display; an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance; and ultrafast wireless technology*—all while delivering even better battery life.** iPhone 5 comes with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features including: the all new Maps app with Apple-designed cartography and turn-by-turn navigation; Facebook integration; Passbook® organization; and even more Siri® features and languages.

“iPhone 5 is the most beautiful consumer device that we’ve ever created,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “We’ve packed an amazing amount of innovation and advanced technology into a thin and light, jewel-like device with a stunning 4-inch Retina display, blazing fast A6 chip, ultrafast wireless, even longer battery life; and we think customers are going to love it.”

iPhone 5 is the thinnest smartphone in the world, with an all-new 7.6 mm anodized aluminum body that is 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than iPhone 4S. Designed with an unprecedented level of precision, iPhone 5 combines an anodized aluminum body with diamond cut chamfered edges and glass inlays for a truly incredible fit and finish.

The new 4-inch Retina display on iPhone 5 delivers even more pixels than iPhone 4S, making the already incredible Retina display even better. By making the screen taller, not wider, iPhone 5 is just as easy to use with one hand so you can tap, type and scroll the same way you always have, while enjoying even more of your content including amazing apps optimized for the larger Retina display, widescreen HD video, a full five days of your Calendar and more of every web page.

iPhone 5 supports ultrafast wireless standards including LTE and DC-HSDPA, so you can browse, download and stream content even faster. To support the latest LTE technology, Apple has pioneered a unique single-radio LTE solution that provides blazing fast speeds while fitting perfectly into the new remarkably thin design. iPhone 5 features dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi support for a wireless experience up to 150 Mbps.***

The all-new A6 chip was designed by Apple to maximize performance and power efficiency to support all the incredible new features in iPhone 5, including the stunning new 4-inch Retina display—all while delivering even better battery life. With up to twice the CPU and graphics performance, almost everything you do on iPhone 5 is blazing fast for launching apps, loading web pages and downloading email attachments.

The 8 megapixel iSight® camera is the most popular camera in the world and with iPhone 5, it’s even better. The new camera is completely redesigned with incredible optical performance, yet amazingly it’s 25 percent smaller than the camera in iPhone 4S. The new iSight camera in iPhone 5 features a sapphire crystal lens cover that is thinner and more durable than standard glass with the ability to provide crystal clear images. The new panorama feature lets you capture jaw-dropping panorama images of up to 28 megapixels by simply moving the camera across a scene in one smooth motion. New video features include improved stabilization, video face detection for up to 10 faces and the ability to take still photos as you record. A new FaceTime® HD front facing camera makes FaceTime calls incredibly clear and can also be used for self portraits and recording 720p HD video. iPhone 5 also allows you to share photos with friends and family using iCloud’s Shared Photo Streams.

iPhone 5 features the new Lightning™ connector that is smaller, smarter and more durable than the previous connector. The all-digital Lightning connector features an adaptive interface that uses only the signals that each accessory requires, and it’s reversible so you can instantly connect to your accessories. The Lightning-to-30-pin Adapter is also available to connect iPhone 5 to legacy 30-pin accessories.****

iPhone 5 introduces new enhanced audio features including a new beam-forming, directional microphone system for higher quality sound, while background noise fades away with new noise canceling technology. iPhone 5 now includes support for cellular wideband audio for crisper word clarity and more natural sounding speech. Wideband audio will be supported by over 20 carriers worldwide at launch. iPhone 5 comes with the new Apple EarPods™ featuring a breakthrough design for a more natural fit and increased durability, and an incredible acoustic quality typically reserved for higher-end earphones.

iPhone 5 comes with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new user features including: an all new Maps app with Apple-designed cartography, turn-by-turn navigation and an amazing new Flyover™ view; Facebook integration for Contacts and Calendar, with the ability to post directly from Notification Center; Passbook, the simplest way to get all your passes in one place; new Siri features, including support for more languages, easy access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings;***** Siri and Facebook-enabled apps like Photos, Safari® and Maps; and Shared Photo Streams via iCloud®.

Pricing & Availability
iPhone 5 comes in either white & silver or black & slate, and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model and $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the 64GB model. iPhone 5 will be available from the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 5 will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK on Friday, September 21, and customers can pre-order their iPhone 5 beginning Friday, September 14. iPhone 4S will also be available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 4 will be available for free with a two-year contract.****** iOS 6 software will be available on Wednesday, September 19 as a free software update.

iPhone 5 will roll out worldwide to 22 more countries on September 28, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

* LTE is available through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks, check with your carrier for details.
** Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
*** Based on theoretical speeds, actual speeds may vary.
**** Sold separately.
***** Not all features are supported in all countries.
****** Availability varies by carrier.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Press Contacts:
Nat Harrison
Apple
harri@apple.com
(408) 862-0565

Teresa Brewer
Apple
tbrewer@apple.com
(408) 974-6851

Not really too much new information here, but still worth a look as Tony “Godfather of the iPod” Fadell talks about the three iPhone prototypes Apple had in play during development. Apple seriously considered hardware keyboard for iPhone, until the very last moment when Apple decided to go with the touchscreen-only design.

Fadell left Apple back in 2008 but was an integral part of the development of multitude of iPods and the first 3 iterations of the iPhone. Fadell notes that initial iPhone prototypes included a keyboard-less model, an iPod/iPhone hybrid, and another version that we don’t know much about.

The ultimate decision maker was, of course, Steve Jobs who felt that a keyboard-less smartphone would was key to the iconic design Apple was trying to usher in, and as we can see today, did.

The interview comes courtesy of "The Verge"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HA4C44ZOWgM

This week is going to an important week for phone manufactures and mobile operators since they will decide which SIM will become the new standard. The proposed nano-SIM of Apple could become the new standard, since it is still compatible with older devices. Nokia’s nano-SIM is not compatible with current devices, but solves other problems.The Verge claims that Apple’s nano-SIM card can be used with an adapter, which makes it fit in all current devices. ETSI, a European standardization organization of manufacturers and mobile operators will have to make a decision later this week.
Apple’s design is actually a micro-SIM card without any plastic at the edges. It has the electrical connections on the same traditional points, this also makes it compatible with older devices because you will simply only need an adapter. However, Nokia claims that it does not meet the criteria. Because the nano-SIM is as long as the micro-SIM is wide, users could place it in a phone with a micro-SIM slot. If this happens, it will be difficult to remove the SIM card from the device. A new SIM card standard should no longer cause problems like these.
Nokia’s design is not compatible with current micro-SIM. The connectors are in a different position, and it also doesn’t need a special adapter to keep it in place, thanks to a notch in the design it can be easily removed. The design is also slightly smaller than the one of Apple. BlackBerry-maker RIM created its own design, but dropped it to support Nokia’s SIM card design. This way Apple would have less chance to win.
Apple will be offering their nano-SIM design for free to manufactures and mobile operators. It is currently unclear whether Nokia will do this as well.
The current micro-SIM card that is being used by Apple, Nokia, HTC, Sony and Motorola, was named as a standard in 2003. The traditional SIM card, which is actually named mini-SIM card, has been a standard since the early 90’s.

Apple offers nano-SIM card technology for free however Nokia says that it won’t license patents if Apple’s nano-SIM will become the standard

When the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) will choose for Apple’s nano-SIM card as the new standard, then Nokia will refuse to grant Apple licenses for certain patents that are needed for the new SIM. This news was announced by Nokia today. Without the licenses of Nokia, Apple will not be able to use the new nano-SIM card. Nokia claims that Apple is exploiting the approval process of ETSI.
Henry Tirri, executive vice president and chief technology officer at Nokia, says that Apple is abusing the approval process of ETSI to push their nano-SIM as the new standard. According to Nokia, the Apple nano-SIM doesn’t even meet the technical requirements that were set by ETSI. Nokia calls on members of the ETSI to not go with Apple’s proposal, but look at what’s good for the current telecom market. The Financial Times previously claimed that Apple has had numerous conversations with subsidiaries of ETSI.
Nokia could refuse to grant licenses on patents that are needed for the Apple nano-SIM, and this will make it even harder for Apple to become the new standard. Various reports claim that Nokia owns various SIM card patents that are required for the new nano-SIM card of Apple.
Apple announced that other smartphone manufacturers will be able to use the nano-SIM for free, if the ETSI decides that it will become the new standard. A decision is expected later this week however if the implementation of Apple’s nano-SIM card tray will become the new standard this week, other manufacturers will be able to make use of this technology for free. Mobile operators and phone manufacturers will this week vote about the new SIM-card standard.
The nano-SIM implementation of Apple is one of the technologies that could possibly be the successor of the current SIM and micro-SIM cards. Only a few days before the final decision, a letter from Apple to the ETSI leaked, which proved that Apple would offer the nano-SIM technology free or charge to other smartphone manufacturers.
Nano-SIM should not only be a third smaller than the current SIM cards, but also thinner. This would help phone manufactures to make their device lighter, smaller and better, because there will simply be more room for chips or other hardware features.
At the moment is it unclear why Apple is pushing so hard for the nano-SIM to become the standard. The iPhone manufacturer is currently battling companies such as Samsung, HTC, and Motorola for the violating of patent licenses.
Besides the proposal of Apple there is also a consortium of other companies led by Nokia, which is in the race to become the new SIM-card standard. ETSI will this this week make the final decision about which technology is going to be the standard. Last week, it became clear that Apple was already trying to buy votes by setting up a number of subsidiaries in order to win the race.

Apple has bought Israel's Anobit, a maker of flash storage technology, for up to $500m (£319m), the Calcalist financial daily reported on Tuesday, following almost a week of speculation surrounding the companies.

The newspaper said Anobit's management was in the process of gathering its staff to formally announce the acquisition by Apple. There was no announcement at the time of writing on either company's website. The purchase is the first by Apple of an Israel-based company.

Flash storage is used in mobile phones and some computers to store data: it gives high-speed access but because it has no moving parts, unlike a magnetic hard drive, it is immune from knocks and magnetic fields. But such SSDs – solid state drives – are pricier and are a comparatively young technology.

Anobit has developed a chip that enhances flash drive performance through signal processing. The chip is already incorporated in Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad and the MacBook Air, where some models use SSDs rather than spinning hard drives. Last week, Calcalist said Apple was interested in Anobit's technology to increase and enhance the memory volume and performance of its devices. The chip may double the memory volume in the new iPads and MacBooks.

At ZDnet, Robin Haris – who has previous spoken to Anobit's chief executive Avraham Meir – said the company has developed systems which improve the stability of flash memory.

"Anobit designs controller chips that make flash behave", Harris wrote. It adds reliability, accuracy, endurance and power consumption improvements to standard flash systems through its proprietary controller chip.

Calling the Anobit acquisition "Apple's biggest hardware bet ever – and it is a good bet", Harris said it would give Apple "a powerful competitive weapon that can be used to both reduce costs and/or increase performance, while increasing product quality in terms of reliability and battery life".

Apple in 2008 bought a chip design company, PA Semi, and integrated its staff's expertise to help design the A4 and A5 chips that run its iPhone and iPad.

Anobit holds or has applied for more than 60 patents which would be applicable to future technologies, he said.

In addition to the acquisition, Apple will also open a research and development centre in Israel, its first outside the US, Calcalist said.

Anobit and Apple were not available for comment.