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Is this another whole new iPhone design?

Is this another whole new iPhone design?

We expect some of the usual updates -- faster, more memory, new chip, maybe some new hardware features -- and a new design for the iPhone 5.
While the iPhone 4 is still an attractive phone, and is still selling, it will be a year old this June. That's a long time in the smartphone industry, where new phones are constantly coming out. So we don't expect another iPhone 3GS-like "update" from Apple ever again, where it keeps the same phone case design from one year to the next but only upgrades the guts.

This supposed leaked image could be it -- sure looks like the iPad 2 -- or could be a fake. But either way, we expect a new design.

The critics have shut up about Apple's iPhone 4 design, and "Antennagate" didn't seem to have any effect on sales. So we wouldn't be surprised to see the iPhone 4 stick around as Apple's cheaper iPhone model. But we expect at least some moderate updates this year to the high-end model.

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Is this another whole new iPhone design?

What's in iOS 5 ?

What's in iOS 5 ?

While the iPhone hardware is certainly sexy, it's software that really makes it an iPhone. So what does Apple have planned for the next major version of its iOS software for iPhones and iPads?

We asked a dozen iOS developers what they wanted from iOS 5, and their responses included: A better alerts and notifications system; more background processing features -- so the New York Times app could download news articles while you're sleeping, for example; and potentially "widgets" to customize your iPhone's unlock or home screens.

We'd also love to see a much better camera app, and maybe a better photo management app, more like iPhoto for Mac OS X. The iPhone camera is becoming very important, and while third-party developers like Instagram have done some really cool things with it, it makes sense for Apple to improve the built-in camera software, too.

What's in iOS 5 ?

What's in iOS 5 ?

While the iPhone hardware is certainly sexy, it's software that really makes it an iPhone. So what does Apple have planned for the next major version of its iOS software for iPhones and iPads?

Want To Buy An iPad 2 ? Here's What You Need To Know ?

Want To Buy An iPad 2 ? Here's What You Need To Know ?

So you want to buy an iPad 2, and you don't want to pay an insane amount on eBay.

Our recommendation, after speaking with a handful of Apple retail reps: Hang out at your local Apple Store every day or order online and exercise some patience.

We were almost unanimously told the same thing from every rep: You can either get lucky and be in the store for a shipment that could arrive at any moment, or order from Apple.com and wait the 3-4 weeks for it to ship.

Here's what we learned:

Some Apple Stores are opening an hour early when they receive a shipment of iPad 2s. (Check with your local store.)

Even business customers, usually prioritized, are on a waiting list. (Though we hear of one person who was able to "skip" the iPad 2 line at the store by buying a handful of MacBook Pros.)

Stores do not know when they'll receive iPads. One rep said, "They surprise us."

People are still lining up before store the stores open, several days after launch. A rep in Pittsburgh told us that 15 people were in line at 4 a.m. today.

It's a similar situation at Best Buy. They're taking pre-orders, but the wait time is the same.

We also found out that Apple Stores are not keeping extras units in stock to handle customer service issues. This is not the way Apple usually does things -- last year, stores kept a small stockpile of iPads locked away in order to help customers returning faulty devices.

Want To Buy An iPad 2 ? Here's What You Need To Know ?

Want To Buy An iPad 2 ? Here's What You Need To Know ?

So you want to buy an iPad 2, and you don't want to pay an insane amount on eBay.

Our recommendation, after speaking with a handful of Apple retail reps: Hang out at your local Apple Store every day or order online and exercise some patience.

Here's what we learned:

Some Apple Stores are opening an hour early when they receive a shipment of iPad 2s. (Check with your local store.)

Even business customers, usually prioritized, are on a waiting list. (Though we hear of one person who was able to "skip" the iPad 2 line at the store by buying a handful of MacBook Pros.)

Stores do not know when they'll receive iPads. One rep said, "They surprise us."

People are still lining up before store the stores open, several days after launch. A rep in Pittsburgh told us that 15 people were in line at 4 a.m. today.

It's a similar situation at Best Buy. They're taking pre-orders, but the wait time is the same.

Big Corporations Are About To Buy A Lot Of iPads

Big Corporations Are About To Buy A Lot Of iPads

Enterprises will buy 50 times as many tablets in 2011 as they did in 2010, making them almost as common as netbooks.

That's great news for Apple -- and perhaps some of its tablet competitors like Research In Motion, which is targeting IT departments with features like security. But it's not great for Microsoft, which won't have a tablet competitor out until Windows 8 in late 2012.

The prediction comes from U.K. market researcher Canalys, which says that enterprises bought about 20,000 tablets (or "pads") in 2010, but will buy more than 1.1 million this year -- a growth rate of more than 5,000%. Canalys also says that netbook sales will increase slightly, from 1.5 million to 1.8 million.

Both numbers pale against sales of traditional notebooks to enterprises, which will increase 11% to 96 million this year, Canalys predicts. Most of those notebooks will run Windows, so Microsoft's hold on the enterprise will remain relatively safe for now.

But consumerization is a big trend in IT. That means where consumers go, enterprises eventually follow.

And the consumer market contains much worse news for Microsoft. Canalys predicts that Apple and its competitors will sell 50 million tablets (up 200%) to consumers this year, versus 32 million netbooks (down 14%) and 113 million notebooks (up only 5%).

Overall, Canalys says that every two tablets purchased will replace the sale of one netbook or laptop.

Big Corporations Are About To Buy A Lot Of iPads

Big Corporations Are About To Buy A Lot Of iPads

Enterprises will buy 50 times as many tablets in 2011 as they did in 2010, making them almost as common as netbooks.

But consumerization is a big trend in IT. That means where consumers go, enterprises eventually follow.

Overall, Canalys says that every two tablets purchased will replace the sale of one netbook or laptop.

Asian Scalpers Are Wiping Out Apple's Supply Of iPad 2s In New York

Chinese scalpers are lining up at Apple's flagship New York store on 5th avenue, buying up all the iPad 2s and then charging twice as much or sending them to China, where the device isn't sold yet, says the Post. The story quotes a "Manhattan event planner" who is angry at this and says they should be ashamed, but here's another way to look at it.

It's always amazing to see entrepreneurs take advantage of an arbitrage opportunity—and beat Apple's supply chain in the process. Clearly, there are some people who are willing to pay $2,000 to have an iPad 2 right now and these scalpers are catering to that demand. Scrappy traders have been a source of wealth for China for millenia and there's poetic justice in them bringing the iPad 2 back to China where it is made. Kudos!

And if you're angry that you can't get an iPad 2 right this instant and are unwilling to pay the market price (these traders are, after all, matching supply and demand, so it is a market), take a deep breath and relax. Believe it or not, it's not the worst thing in the world.

Asian Scalpers Are Wiping Out Apple's Supply Of iPad 2s In New York

My Quick Review Of The iPad2

My Quick Review Of The iPad2

I received my iPad2 yesterday and shared a photo of my new arrival.

I got a few DMs and emails asking me to write down a review. I am surprised since there are many reviews on some great blogs about the new iPad2 so I’m not sure what more I can offer.

But for what it’s worth here are my immediate thoughts in no particular order.

1 - I love the Smart Cover. It’s a game changer for me and how I use the ipad. I used the ipad1 for content creation and always found myself looking for ways to prop up the device on a reasonable angle. I also didn’t care for any of the various cases I tried. The Smart Cover just makes it much more usable and friendly. Oh, and the magnets are rad.

2 - The iPad2 is noticeably thinner. It just feels better. That’s the only way I can describe it. I wish it was lighter but not at the expense of battery life so I’m pleased apple didn’t make that trade off.

3 - I use Skype Video a few times a week. I’m going to try and switch to Facetime on the iPad and see how that compares.

4 - The iPad2 feels faster but I haven’t had enough time yet to really get a sense for the speed.

5 - I need more games for my kids (ages 11, 9 and 5). Please leave your suggestions in the comments.

6 - I’ve got to send @avneron my new UDID so I can get Boxee for iPad (beta) back in my life.

7 - If you have an ipad1, i’m not sure you will want to upgrade unless you count yourself in as an early adopter. I love new toys and gadgets so i’m in the same place as Phil and had to have one. All in all I’m very happy with it and glad I upgraded.

8 - my brother has an ipad2 on order but he’s a dedicated Android guy and he’s now second guessing his order.

9 - I installed my favorite ipad apps last night: twitter, flipboard, netflix, instapaper, evernote and IA Writer. I’m also testing out a few new apps like Springboard. Any other recommendations would be awesome.

That’s it for now.