Weekly Review: iPhone 5 Gets NCC Approval, iPad Mini Release Pushed Back

The highlight of last week for Taiwanese consumers was the National Communication Commission (NCC) approval of the iPhone 5, bringing Apple’s next-gen device one step closer to its release date. The actual pre-order and sale dates have not been announced yet, however, and iPhone fans can only wait patiently. As for the rumor that the iPad mini would be introduced on October 17, this has proven to be false since the media has received no news from Apple of such an event as of last Friday.
Speculation abounds regarding the iPad mini’s delay; some propose design changes to the body, some believe yield was unsatisfactory due to impact from iPhone 5 production. According to TrendForce sources, however, the setback is due to a shortage of 7.85-inch displays. Apple is estimated to have placed 10 million iPad mini orders, but things are a bit up in the air as they have yet to even announce an event date for the new device. Regardless, multiple sources agree that the world will meet the iPad mini in November at the very latest.

Rumors have also begun to surface about the next iPad (fourth generation), as an app developer claims to have discovered a prototype of the device. The new iPad will supposedly house the same A6 processor as the iPhone 5; a Lightning connector is a likely upgrade as well, since Apple has already abandoned the nearly ten-year old 30-pin connector on the iPhone. This would not bode well for third-party manufacturers, as Apple is revising the MFi licensing program to limit third-party Lightning accessories.

While the latest move by Apple may be a strategy to boost royalty income, Cupertino may simply be aiming to control the quality of third-party accessories. The Lightning connector is extremely well-designed, and may very well be around for another ten years. By contrast, Samsung has gone through 18 connectors in the last decade. Notably, the Lightning connector’s controller chip was expected to be difficult to copy, but a Chinese manufacturer has reportedly already cracked Apple’s authentication chip.

As global figures reach 6 billion, smartphones have essentially become the mainstream device for mobile communication. Other mobile devices are on the rise as well, heavily impacting the traditional PC market. Major PC makers continue to see a downward slide in shipments and negative growth. Making the most of this opportunity, Lenovo has risen to first place in terms of shipment volume. While research firms have differing figures regarding PC shipments, the fact that HP is shrinking while Lenovo is growing is undeniable.

As mobile devices become more popular, touch panel demand has increased, and growth is highly likely. Although ultrabooks did not see explosive sales as expected in 2012, there is still a possibility for significant growth in 2013, which would benefit battery manufacturers as well as panel makers. However, in recent years, as battery makers seek to lower cost and speed up product replacement, the total number of charge cycles for a single battery is on a downtrend. Batteries that only last through 300 charges have even appeared on the market. Along with the trend of batteries that provide faster, fewer charges, swelling or exploding has become more common; both manufacturers and consumers would do be well be more conscious of battery quality issues.