iPhone X debut: Will slow supply dampen Apple's hopes in India?

iPhone X, which marks the 10th anniversary of the device, costs Rs 89,000 for a 64 GB model

After facing a lacklustre response to iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus globally, including in India, Apple has now placed its bet on successful delivery of "super premium" iPhone Xthat aims for a scheduled arrival on November 3.

In the past few days, several media reports have claimed that Apple is facing a huge supply gap primarily for two reasons: difficulties in assembling the new facial identification software and 3D camera, and "off the charts" pre-orders for iPhone X after the Apple fraternity didn't make the expected beeline for iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

The scenario suggests that people will have to wait long before they can grab an iPhone X. Analysts have already warned that the stock on hand is scarce, owing to constrained supply of key iPhone X components. The advanced depth-sensing camera system in iPhone X requires parts that only a few manufacturers can produce.

The iPhone X, which marks the 10th anniversary of the device, costs Rs 89,000 for a 64 GB model and Rs 1.02 lakh for the 256 GB variant.

According to Tarun Pathak, Associate Director, Mobile Devices and Ecosystems, Counterpoint Research, supply issues will have three main implications for Apple.

"Either the demand for iPhone X will shift to subsequent quarters or some part of the demand will be absorbed by iPhone 8 series if supply is delayed for long. In both the cases, it won't have much impact on Apple as its user base will remain within the iOS ecosystem," Pathak told IANS.

However, there is another scenario - where an Android premium user who wishes to shift to iPhone X decides instead to upgrade within the Android ecosystem due to unavailability of iPhone X. (more)

Google Pixel 2 launch hit by display, pricing and shipping issues

Such issues prompted the company to open an investigation and issue multiple apologies to customers

The launch of Alphabet Inc's second-generation Google Pixel smartphones has been hampered by display screen problems and pricing and shipping issues, prompting the company to open an investigation and issue multiple apologies to customers.

The Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL, which start at $649 and debuted in stores on Thursday, are the lynchpin of Google's efforts to take on Apple Inc's

iPhone directly.

Early Pixel 2 users have voiced frustration with mishaps, including a potentially serious problem with the screen.

Google said on Sunday it is investigating whether graphics are burning into the display of the Google Pixel 2, following a report on the Android Central blog detailing the issue after a week of use. Burn-in, which usually becomes a problem only after several years of activity, can make it difficult to see information on the display.

Google likely would need to halt production if there is a problem, said Ryan Reith, a mobile device analyst at research firm IDC.

"We take all reports of issues very seriously, and our engineers investigate quickly," Mario Queiroz, Google's vice president for Pixel product management, said in an emailed statement to Reuters. "We will provide updates as soon as we have conclusive data."

The investigation follows Google's acknowledgement that it may introduce new software to respond to users' concern about a blue tint to the Pixel 2 XL's 6-inch screen. The device incorporates new OLED display technology, which Google described as offering "a more natural and accurate rendition of colours."

Reviewers and users in online support forums have also reported a clicking noise during calls and poor Bluetooth connections between the Pixel 2 and other devices. Google did not immediately comment on the issues. (more)

Apple releases iOS 11.0.2 update to fix crackling noise issue of iPhone 8

The update also addresses two other issues

Within a couple of weeks after the rollout of iOS 11, Apple has released its second update to address bugs which include a crackling noise coming from the earpiece of some iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus smartphones.

The latest update -- "iOS 11.0.2" was released over-the-air, that can be downloaded to all eligible devices from the Settings app, MacRumors reported late on Tuesday.

Also Read : Samsung bites into Apple in India: Galaxy Note8 sales beat iPhone 8

The bug was discovered following the release of iOS 11 after some users complained about a "very annoying" crackling or static noise coming from the earpiece during phone calls and FaceTime calls.

The update also addresses two other issues -- one that could cause some photos on the device to become hidden and the other was an email bug, the report added.

Apple iPhone 8 launched, buyers to get 70% of price when selling it back to Jio

Akash Ambani said the buyback offer would be available for customers of iPhone8 or iPhone 8 Plus

Reliance Jio has a big surprise for those interested in buying Apple iPhone 8 in India. Jio will buy back Apple Inc's latest iPhone models from its customers within a year for 70 percent of the retail price of the smartphone, the company announced on Friday.

Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani's son Akash Ambani said the buyback offer would be available for customers of iPhone8 or iPhone 8 Plus through Reliance Digital, Jio.com or the Jio Store.

Under this scheme, users will receive 70 percent of the purchase price of the devices upon using it with a Jio SIM card and returning it after a year. In other ways, this buyback scheme allows iPhone users to get 70 per cent of their money back when they upgrade to next iPhone.The buyback offer is valid for one year.

Also Read : Apple CEO Tim Cook 'joins' Akash Ambani at iPhone 8's India launch

This partnership between Apple and Jio brings two companies that have revolutionised their respective industries, because we both think customer first," said the Ambani scion.

Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani and Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook addressed people through video messages.

Cook spoke about the partnership with India's newest telco and the customisation that the latest devices from stables of Apple have for India.

"We’ve added new keyboards for India so we now support 11 local languages, and iPhone now takes dictation in Hindi. We’re excited to be building so many new relationships in India, including tens of thousands of developers across the country now writing apps for iOS," the CEO added. (more)

Will iPhone X hurt iPhone 8 and 8 Plus sale? Here's what experts say

Apple unveiled both iPhone X and iPhone 8 models, with the "super-premium" iPhone X starting at $999

As Apple gets ready to ship iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus before it opens iPhone X for pre-orders, a top analyst with Taiwanese business group KGI Securities has warned that iPhone X will cannibalise iPhone 8 orders.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the most famous analyst with KGI Securities when it comes to Apple, it is very likely that iPhone X demand will cannibalise iPhone 8 pre-orders.

"While it takes three to six weeks or more to ship new iPhone models after they are available for preorder, they see the iPhone 8 taking less than one to two weeks. This is due to the iPhone X cannibalisation," StreetInsider.com quoted the analyst as saying late on Monday.

Apple unveiled both iPhone X and iPhone 8 models, with the "super-premium" iPhone X starting at $999.

Ming, however, said the new Apple Watch Series 3's (GPS + Cellular version) could be a runaway hit.

"We estimate the preorder weighting of the GPS + Cellular version is 80-90 per cent. While not available in all countries, most users have pre-ordered the GPS + Cellular version because it offers phone and internet access functions without an iPhone and given the low premium of $70 over the GPS version," the analyst predicted.

According to the Verge, while Apple Watch shipments are well below iPhone shipments, investors should start keeping tabs on this new product, with shipments expected to surge much higher than previous generation models.

Apple would launch iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, starting Rs 64,000, in India on September 29 while pre-bookings will start on September 22.

The iPhone X will come to India on November 3, starting Rs 89,000. (more)

Apple iPhone X to cost Rs 89,000 in India: Know all about the new iPhones

With The anniversary-edition iPhone X takes a step forward in what could be the future of iPhone devices

In arguably the biggest event of the year in the world of technology, Apple Inc on September 12 unveiled the anniversary-edition iPhone X -- the roman X signifying the 10 years of Apple iPhones -- and two other iPhone iterations, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, among other devices.

While the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are designed on the blueprints of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the iPhone X, with its innovative face recognition technology and other features, takes a leap towards what is now seen as the future of iPhone devices.

Let’s take a look at the features and specifications of the new iPhones:

Apple iPhone X

With a glossy stainless steel frame body covered on the front and back by a glass design, the iPhone X has a rather wide 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display. The glassy back is accentuated by a vertically placed 12-megapixel dual camera set-up, which supports optical image stabilisation (OIS). On the front, a new 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera enables auto image stabilisation and precise exposure control, and brings the portrait mode to the front camera for stunning selfies with a depth-of-field (Bokeh) effect.

Also Read : Vivo Y69: 16 MP camera will give you even more reasons to click selfies

The iPhone X dual camera set-up boasts a ƒ/1.8 aperture on the wide-angle camera and an improved ƒ/2.4 aperture on the telephoto camera for better photos and videos. A new quad LED True Tone Flash offers twice the uniformity of light and includes Slow Sync, which brings more uniformly lit backgrounds and foregrounds.

The cameras on the iPhone X are custom-tuned for the augmented reality (AR) experience. Each camera is individually calibrated with new gyroscopes and accelerometers for accurate motion tracking.

The camera also delivers the highest quality video capture ever in a smartphone, with better video stabilisation, 4K video up to 60fps and 1080p slo-mo up to 240fps. The Apple-designed video encoder provides real-time image and motion analysis for optimal quality video.

With iOS 11, iPhone X supports HEIF and HEVC for up to two times the compression and storage for twice as many photos and videos. (more)

Apple's iPhone 8 launch: 7 stocks to watch out for today

Apple Inc will unveil new iPhones today at its Apple Park 'spaceship' campus

When Apple Inc unveils new iPhones 8 on Tuesday at its Apple Park “spaceship” campus, there may be important clues for the watchers of seven semiconductor stocks.

Apple exerts a sun-like gravitational pull on the global electronics supply chain, affecting the pricing of commodities like flash memory chips - it consumes 18 percent of global supply. The iPhone maker can make or break small, specialty chip suppliers.

The final tally of semiconductor winners and losers will not be known until the devices ship and analysts rip them apart to examine the circuit boards. That will give insight into matters like the continued battle between Intel Corp and Qualcomm Inc to supply so-called modem chips for mobile data.

ALSO READ: With a $1,000 price tag, Apple's iPhone 8 crosses a threshold

Even the limited technical information Apple gives on stage tomorrow could shed light on how several other companies are faring. Here are seven stocks to watch during today’s launch.

LUMENTUM

Lumentum Holdings Inc makes what are instead known as vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, or VCSELs for short. These are a key component of 3D sensors that could power some of the expected features of the new flagship iPhone, such as the ability to unlock the phone through 3D facial recognition.

The company said it has received $200 million in orders for these lasers since April. Lumentum says it has multiple customers, but most analysts believe Apple is behind the surge in orders.

What is not clear, however, is whether the new facial recognition features will be available on only the flagship model, likely named the iPhone X, or whether it will also be available on the anticipated iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

FINISAR

Finisar Corp also makes 3D sensor lasers but specializes in a higher powered version of the technology with greater range. That sensor would be more suitable for the backside of an iPhone, to assist with features such as augmented reality, in which digital objects float over real objects on screen. (more)