Here are your Apple news items and rumors for Tuesday:
Slow It Down: DigiTimes (via Mac Rumors) reports that printed circuit board manufacturers have seen iPhone component orders from Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) decrease by 10% over the past three months. The likely reason? Apple is making way for the new models expected to be released in the fall. It has been previously thought that although Apple isn’t going to release an iPhone compatible with AT&T (NYSE:T) and Verizon’s (NYSE:VZ) 4G networks, they will put out a modified version of the current iPhone that is compatible with all 3G networks in the U.S., including those run by Sprint (NYSE:S) and T-Mobile. Apple is also expected to introduce a smaller, cheaper model of the iPhone.
Gaining on Android: Needham analyst Charlie Wolf is saying Google‘s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android operating system will begin losing its dominant market share by early 2012, according to Apple Insider. In a note to investors, Wolf said Android’s share of the U.S. smartphone market fell to below 50% in the first quarter of this year from more than 52% in last year’s fourth quarter. According to Wolf, that dip was caused by the new iPhone on Verizon’s network. Wolf sees Google recovering somewhat during the next two quarters, but he expects a “material decline” by the end of the year following the release of the next generation of iPhone.
Patent Perturbs: Patently Apple uncovered a patent by Apple for an infrared communication system intended to work with the iPhone and iPad at the beginning of June. The patent describes multiple applications for the technology, including the automatic loading of product information to your iPhone at stores using an invisible infrared transmission. As a TUAW report says, however, some people are disturbed that the technology can also be used to deactivate cameras, using the infrared signal as a kill switch. The Save the Internet coalition have written an open letter to Steve Jobs asking him to stop his company from using this technology as it could prevent smartphone users from exposing injustices like police brutality.
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.
