Apple iPhone Ping!
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Posted on 02/15/2011 4:55:14 PM PST by Swordmaker
Apple reportedly will change the screen size of iPhone to 4-inch for its fifth generation iPhone to compete with the Google Android platform in the 4- to 7-inch smartphone market, according to upstream component suppliers.
The component suppliers noted that the production lines for Apple's next generation iPhone have begun testing, and Apple is interesting in expanding the screen size to 4-inches to support the tablet PC market as the vendor only has a 9.7-inch iPad in the market.
In fact, smartphones that adopt the Google Android platform are mainly 4-inch and larger models. Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S and Google's Nexus S adopt 4-inch panels, Sharp adopts 5.5-inch for its smartphone, and Acer plans to launch a 4.8-inch smartphone. With Apple joining the 4-inch and larger market, 4- to 5.5-inch will become the major battlefield for smartphones and further change the industry dynamics for small- to medium-size panels.
What is worth noticing is that Dell has re-defined the market position of the Dell Streak 5 – which was originally focused on the tablet PC market – as a super phone. The Dell Streak 5 uses a 5-inch panel which stands in the gray area between tablet PC and handset segments and indicates there is an overlap in the market for 4- to 7-inch panels.
Smartphone vendors' choice of using increasing screen sizes and specifications has helped to generate some change in the panel industry. Currently, bonding TFT with touch panels has become an important factor to keep orders from clients. For AU Optronics (AUO), part of its 4G and 5G capacity has moved to touch panel production covering touch sensors, TFT panels to modules, and the panel maker is also working with its subsidiary Cando to develop in-cell touch panel to compete in the market.
Chimei Innolux (CMI) is also producing touch panels at its 4.5G plant and part of its 5G plant through front to back-end method, and is also producing iPhone and iPad panels through IPS technology.
Panel makers noted that in addition to touch panels, AMOLED is another important development in the smartphone market. AMOLED supply remains in shortage, and Samsung's subsidiary Samsung Mobile Display (SMD) is the leading player in the market with the largest capacity, while LG Display is actively following behind and AUO and CMI and actively becoming involved in the market.
Phones or bricks?
I just got the Verizon iPhone 4. I am veryy happy with it. Any larger and I would just use an iPad. Any larger and I am no so sure I would like it. The iPad is a good size for browsing the web. Any larger I would just use a laptop.
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See, they’re aiming for an older demographic (the reading glasses set). :’)
[’Civ steps up on the medicine show wagon]
The next move will be in the iPod area — a bump across the entire product line.
Excellent!
Rumour has it that they plan to have a one-device-for-all-networks plan, and Hitachi has developed a new display that has a higher resolution than the one used on the iPhone 4, with significantly better contrast ratios. I’m guessing this will head over to the iPhone 5.
I’m not particularly interested in a larger iPhone either.
But I can say there are rumors that Apple is interested in eliminating the “home” button on the iPhone and the iPad. If that happens, the iPhone may not have to be bigger.
I am not sure Apple needs to be a follower in the market. Every phone out there tries to copy the iPhone, and they all fail at doing it. Its big enough right now. Geez why move away from success and copy the others...
We’ll be talking into iPads next.
The thing is that more and more people are shifting toward using the mobile phone as their primary computing device, to the loss of laptop and PC makers. This shift toward a slightly bigger, but pocket-friendly mobile computing device is merely accommodating this trend.
Soon we will all be wearing those gangster pants with the extra large pockets and our pants waists around our thighs.
Holding an iPad up to your ear is a tad bit awkward. . . besides, I'm pretty sure Apple neglected to include a proximity sensor to shut down the screen and touch controls when doing so. That could result in some interesting calls . . . ;^)>
Isn’t that what earbuds are for?
Really? You think so?
I swear I just ordered an iPod touch in the last hour!
Would have loved a bit larger screen!
Oh, well! It'll still be pretty cool!
I’m waiting for the 4.5 version.
“Soon we will all be wearing those gangster pants with the extra large pockets and our pants waists around our thighs.”
Better to hide your Concealed Handgun under.....
there-are-no-secrets-or-its-a-strategic-leak alert.
Going bigger with the iPhone makes more sense in light of all the “iPhone Nano” rumors that have popped up yet again, this time from such usually-reliable sources as Bloomberg and the WSJ.
For the last few years, the iPod line has gotten a refresh in September. It's not impossible that there'll be something soon, but that's not the way I'd bet.
I think I could appreciate a move to 4” screen, but any larger - and an iPad would make more sense.
A 5” screen phone? Too big for a phone, too small for a tablet.
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