Here are your daily Apple news items and rumors for Tuesday:
iPhone 5 and a Bag of Chips: Apple‘s (NASDAQ:AAPL) fifth-generation iPhone expected out in October might be a more significant upgrade over the current model than previously thought, according to a report from AppleInsider. Stern Agee analyst Shaw Wu told the website Tuesday that while the new device will not support Verizon (NYSE:VZ) or AT&T‘s (NYSE:T) faster 4G networks, it will introduce a larger screen and, more significantly, it will use the same A5 processor used in the current model of iPad. It also will be markedly thinner than the current model. The thinner form and larger screen are features in the iPhone 5 that have been rumored before, but this is the first evidence that Apple will include an improved processor in the device. Wu thinks these features will be enough for Apple to “maintain its leadership position.” We’ll know if that’s the case come fall.
Samsung Ain’t Afraid of No Apple: Even though an Australian federal court said that Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet infringed on 10 patents held by Apple and therefore couldn’t be released in that country, the South Korean technology company is going to ship its new iPad competitor anyway. A Tuesday report at 9 to 5 Mac says Samsung released an official statement at Ausdroid.net clarifying that the court is blocking the release of a version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet the company had “no plans of selling” in Australia. It also promises it will be releasing a model of the device in that country “in the near future.” It seems unlikely that Samsung would develop a new tablet solely for Australia, so it probably means the company is working to settle with Apple or simply will release a mildly tweaked Galaxy Tab regardless of the injunction.
iCloud on the Horizon: Apple’s iCloud, a cloud-based storage and media service that lets users keep their music, files and other media on Apple’s servers so they can be accessed from any device, entered beta testing yesterday. A limited number of invited users will test Apple’s new service ahead of its release later this year. Apple also announced pricing plans for iCloud storage. Users will be charged $20 per year for 10GB of storage, $40 for 20GB and $100 for 50GB. 5GB of free storage will be available for all Apple users.
As of this writing, Anthony John Agnello did not own a position in any of the stocks named here. Follow him on Twitter at @ajohnagnello and become a fan of InvestorPlace on Facebook.
