This is what goes into Apple 's $29 wall-charging unit.

(Credit:
Ken Shirriff)

No, it’s not the first thing people gravitate toward when tearing open their brand-new iPhone or iPad. Heck, it’s probably not even the second or third thing (the USB cable and the Apple sticker are more popular I’m sure).

But, hidden deep within that pretty box is a cube that makes the whole thing work. It’s an AC wall-charging unit, and it’s as technically impressive as any other component in that box.

Ken Shirriff, a technology buff and blogger, has a complete teardown of Apple ‘s tiny technical wonder on his blog, detailing (exhaustively, I might add) why exactly Apple can charge $29 for it.

The details are fascinating if you have a mind for tech speak and electronics, but the basic summation of what Shirriff found is that Apple has gone through an immense amount of effort to create a safe, effective, and, yes, beautiful wall charger for its products.

Related storiesiPhone case, wall charger combo arriving sooner than planned… [Read more]

(Credit:
Apple )

iPhone and iPad users unhappy with their speakerphones may be treated to better sound in future models.

Apple has invented a new speakerphone system for iOS devices, according to a patent published yesterday by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The patent application is filled with pages of the usual technical jargon.

But in a nutshell, Apple is redesigning and repositioning the traditional speaker and surrounding components to enhance the quality of the audio possible in a relatively small space. Though the patent doesn’t tout any specific benefits to consumers, “the new speaker positioning could provide iOS devices with generally superior sound, even when docked,” according to Patently Apple .

Speakers on mobile phones tend to offer weak sound due to their small size. Even laptops and tablets don’t have enough space for high-quality speakers, a factor acknowledged by Apple in its patent application.

There is a range of consumer electronics devices that are not dedicated or specialized audio playback devices, yet can benefit… [Read more]

Is the next iPhone due for a 4-inch screen?

(Credit:
Apple )

Will the next iPhone actually sport a larger screen? A new report from the Wall Street Journal suggests it will.

Citing “people familiar with the situation,” the Journal said today that Apple has been tapping into its suppliers for screens larger than the ones used in the current iPhone . The new screens are at least 4 inches, compared with the 3.5-inch displays used on the phone since its debut in 2007.

Assuming the sources are on the money, production of the screens could rev up next month, the Journal added. The most recent reports say Apple will unveil the next iPhone in early fall — September or October. An October date would match up with the launch of the iPhone 4S last year.

A larger screen could be a sign that Apple is trying to play catch-up with its Android rivals, particularly Samsung. The Korean handset maker has enjoyed a huge surge in sales and market share over the past year, Most research reports now cite Samsung as the top smartphone and mobile phone maker around the world.

Apple is reportedly ordering screens from several manufacturers, say some of the Journal’s sources. Those include LG, Sharp, and Japan Display, a new outfit formed by the Japanese government and three companies.

Related stories… [Read more]