Here are your Apple rumors and AAPL news items for today:
New iPhone Debut Approaches: Apple‘s (NASDAQ:AAPL) next-generation iPhone will become available to consumers sometime in September, according to AppleInsider. Some analysts have warned that component shortages could delay the new iPhone’s roll-out. However, other analysts say that Apple’s supply chain can handle the manufacturing ramp-up, which is just beginning. Chinese factories have already conducted production test runs on the new phone, according to Asian media reports. The new iPhone will feature scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass inlay in the metal at the top and bottom of the phone, which may reduce reception problems the company faced with the iPhone 4’s metal antenna. The new reports are in line with previous rumors that Apple will unveil the new iPhone at a September 12 special event.
Apple Distances Itself from Samsung: Apple is shifting its supply chain away from Samsung components, DigiTimes notes. Despite their rivalry in the smartphone and tablet markets, Samsung has long been a major supplier of components for Apple devices. That appears to be changing. As the two electronics makers battle over patents in court, Cupertino has begun cutting the number of touchscreens it purchases from Samsung for its iPads. Beneficiaries of the move include LG and Sharp. Rumors suggest that Apple is planning to launch a new, smaller-screen iPad in time for the holiday shopping season as well as an updated standard-sized iPad by the end of the year.
Apple Rules the Tablets: While iPhone sales might have slackened in the second quarter, the 17 million iPads Apple sold boosted its share of the tablet market from 61.5% in the same time in 2011, to 68.2% this year, AppleInsider notes. The data comes from industry research firm IDC, which notes that Samsung ranked second in the tablet market, selling 2.4 million tablets for a 9.6% market share. Amazon came in third place with 1.3 million Kindle Fire sales, or 3.4% of the market. In the second quarter, IDC estimates that a total of 25 million tablets were shipped, up 66.2% from last year.
For more about the company, check out our previous Apple Rumors stories.
