...or so say sources over at the Taipei Times, who state that Sony have been providing components for a next-generation mobile for Apple. Could that device be the iPhone 5?

Speaking to Stone Wu, senior analyst at IHS Displaybank, the publication is claiming that Sony has been working in partnership with Apple on in-cell touch panels, with an aim to ramp up production by May to prepare for an October launch of the sixth generation iPhone.

According to Wu, Sony will be joined by three other display manufacturers in order to meet the massive expected demand.

In-cell touch panel technology allows for thinner-frame smartphone devices, so if the rumour proves true expect to see a super-slim iPhone 5, despite whispers of a larger 4-inch screen.

Via: Apple Insider

New evidence has come to light suggesting that Apple's FaceTime video calling app may soon work over 3G on iPhones and iPads.

FaceTime can currently only be used over a Wi-Fi connection, likely as it would put a strain on cellular networks and a user's data plan. But warning message found in iOS 5.1.1 now suggests Apple is ready to enable FaceTime calls over 3G, and likely LTE too.

The team over at Russian Blog iDevice found the possible new feature, stating that the warning message appears when trying to switch off 3G connectivity.They describe the finding as follows:

Being called by someone, although I was connected to a 3G data network, when I tried to close the 3G connection I was greeted by the message of the picture (above .ed). Normally you should not be called if I was connected to the 3G, but the call originated to me did not stop, but I just got the iPhone warning I missed a call FaceTime.

Though the feature is easily switched on if you've the guts to Jailbreak your iPhone or iPad, at the very least this shows the Apple are toying with the idea of FaceTime over 3G. It'll be a nice treat to go along with any eventual launch of an iPhone 5 device, we reckon.

...and I don't even have an iPhone.

There are few films cooler when it comes to artistic design than 2001: A Space Odyssey, few toys more amazing than LEGO, and no smartphones slicker in terms of industrial design than the iPhone 4S. Put them all together and you've got quite the nerdgasm going on.

Though the image doesn't really give much away, it looks as though the creator of this neat diorama has simply threaded an iPhone charging cable up through a gap in the scene's base.

I love how the iPhone 4 really does look the spitting image of Stanley Kubrick's mysterious, ominous inter-dimensional monolith from the movie.

If you think the ape men went crazy when the monolith arrived in the film, those LEGO monkeys are really going to lose their sh*t when Siri can't understand their squeaks and whoops.

Via: Imgur

It's well documented that late Apple mastermind Steve Jobs worked on projects many years before they would ever land in the hands of tech fans, and a new report suggests that Jobs may even have had a hands-on approach with the design of the rumoured iPhone 5 handset prior to his death.

Bloomberg states that Jobs is thought to have been closely tied to the development of the next Apple smartphone, the second to be released since the iconic tech leader died.

Which makes some of the report's other snippets of information all the more interesting. Bloomberg are citing several sources who claim that the next iPhone is to ditch the range's traditional 3.5 inch size in favour of a screen approaching the 4-inch mark.

Jobs often stated that the 3.5 inch handset size was the "sweetspot" for mobile phone design; big enough to produce detailed, legible graphics, but small enough to fit comfortably in the hand and pocket.

If a new iPhone bumps up the screen size, does that mean Jobs had a change of heart? Of course it also depends upon what other tech makes its way into the phone that justifies or can only be facilitated by a larger size. Or had the visionary Jobs felt forced to join the screen-size race that Samsung's Galaxy Note is the poster-boy for?

Other interesting tidbits from the report suggest a return to the angular design of the iPhone 4 and 4S rather than the older "teardrop" look of the 3GS, as well as a possible metal backplate.

Via: MacRumours

...or so say the tech taddle-tales over at Digitimes. As per usual, the website is citing supply chain sources who are claiming that Pegatron has landed orders for the iPhone 5 that correspond with a September launch window, and Foxconn having received the same for a 7-inch iPad that would ship in August.

Digitimes aren't always spot on with their predictions though, and these latest Apple rumours have a fishy smell too.

If we're going on an annual release cycle for the iPhone, October 2012 would be the more believable launch date, being a year round from the iPhone 4S. And while there is no precedent for a Mini iPad, an August launch feels awfully soon after the (new) iPad 3 launch. Apple have a tendency to launch their tablets in the Spring, though may be aiming at an impulse buyers market in the run up to Christmas, with a smaller device commanding a lower price.

Looking to verify their claims, Digitimes also point out that Pegatron is currently restructuring its workforce to better cater to the demands of Apple. They're said to be shrinking their SI motherboard department in light of smaller orders from ASUS, redirecting resources towards Apple products instead.

If the iPhone ever had a real challenger to its lofty position atop the smartphone throne, it was last year's impressive Samsung Galaxy S2. With the Galaxy S3 now fully revealed, Apple's mobile monster has renewed competition.

Both the iPhone 4S and the Samsung Galaxy S3 have a lot going for them, each with unique bonuses and drawbacks. We compare the key features and specs of both to help you decide which you should be splashing the cash on.

Design and Build Quality

iPhone 4S
Though it's a rehashed version of the iPhone 4 (with the dreadful antenna issues all ironed out) it's hard to fault the iPhone 4S design. Whether you grab it in black or white, the angular unibody design with chrome trim oozes style. It's arguably hit the sweetspot for mobile-phone size at 115.2 mm x 58.66 mm x 9.3 mm too. It does however lack a HDMI-out port, pretty much a standard with high-end Android handsets these days, and it's a little delicate, with its glass prone to shattering if dropped from even a modest height.

Galaxy S3
Thin at just 8.6mm and light at 133g, the Galaxy S3 feels great in the hand, and slips almost invisibly into a pocket. Available in Pebble Blue and Marble White, its curved edges are meant to conjure memories of nature. However, its plasticy "Hyperglaze" finish lacks that premium feel, and some may decide the Galaxy S3 is a little flimsy, albeit unfairly.

Winner - iPhone 4S

Screen

iPhone 4S
The latest iPhone's Retina Display is pretty much as good as it gets for mobile display technology right now. Measuring 3.5 inches diagonally, it uses LED backlit IPS TFT LCD technology to deliver images at a staggering 326ppi. What the screen lacks in size it more than makes up for in detail, with vibrant colours, lush brightness and deep blacks.

Galaxy S3
A 4.8 inch Super AMOLED HD display sits on the front of the Galaxy S3 and it's gorgeous. Though its extra size and resolution mean it "only" hits a 309ppi pixel density, to the naked eye that won't make a difference. Vibrant and colourful, it dwarfs the iPhone 4S screen, which is a far less comfortable size to view videos on. Bigger, in this case at least, is better.

Winner - Galaxy S3

Processor

iPhone 4S
Apple's 800Mhz dual-core A5 chip may sound a little dated in this age of quad-core mobile CPUs, but thanks to Apple's careful marriage of software and hardware, you'll never find the iPhone 4S being overly taxed. You'll fly through menu screens, tap away at breathtaking polygonal-3D gaming apps and playback detailed HD video without a stutter.

Galaxy S3
Samsung have popped a quad-core 1.4Ghz Exynos processor in the Galaxy S3. And despite having to push more pixels than the iPhone 4S (and running off the sometimes temperamental Android OS) there wasn't a stutter or hang to be seen. This is one powerful phone, best presented by the Pop Up Play feature that offers true picture-in-picture multitasking, offering windowed HD video playback. Impressive is an understatement.

Winner - Galaxy S3

Storage

iPhone 4S
Though Apple's iPhone 4S doesn't offer expandable storage, they at least offer three different configurations when it comes to size. 16GB, 32GB and 64GB iPhone 4S models are all available, with pricing rising appropriately. It's a crafty tactic though, as those opting for more storage space have to pop money directly into Apple's coffers, rather than picking up cheaper expandable storage elsewhere. With the iCloud back-up feature too you've got a little leeway with which to store files remotely too, though extensive cloud storage through Apple doesn't come cheaply.

Galaxy S3
Samsung's generous storage options make Apple look very cheap here. For starters, you've got the same 16GB, 32GB and 64GB handset options. Add on to that the option of popping in as much as an extra 64GB from a microSD card. Then pile on top the 50GB of FREE Dropbox cloud storage that comes as standard with every Galaxy S3 purchase. There's no competition here.

Winner - Galaxy S3

Battery

iPhone 4S
The iPhone 4S is said to have 200 hours worth of battery standby time, 8 hours talk time on 3G, 14 hours talk time on 2G, 6 hours 3G browsing, 9 hours Wi-Fi browsing, 10 hours of video playback or 40 hours of audio playback. In reality however, you're going to be juggling through all these tasks (at times simultaneously) throughout a day, meaning that you're going to need to recharge that battery long before the day is done.

Galaxy S3
Samsung have popped in a whopping 2100mAh battery in the Galaxy S3. It sounds awesome, but remember there's a massive screen to power, as well as a quad-core processor draining juice all the time. Touches like the Smart Stay tech should keep battery usage as low as possible, but we can't pass judgement here till we've put the phone through its paces for a bit longer. We'll call it a tie for now.

Winner - Tie

Software and Apps

iPhone 4S
Apple say there's an app for everything, and with the iOS App Store, that's pretty much true. With over 500,000 different apps available in Apple's store, there's pretty much an app to cater for every potential need. From fitness to finance, arts to archaeology, you name it, there's a shed load of apps for every possible niche. Gaming in particular is well served on the iPhone, with it more than a match for handhelds like the Nintendo 3DS or PS Vita these days. Just check out Infinity Blade 2 if you need convincing.

The iPhone 4S also features the much-publicised Siri voice control app. With it, you can search the web, set calendar reminder, dictate emails and much more with just your voice alone. In the US it's a fully-featured service that has a giant database of details on local businesses and events. In the UK, it's far less comprehensive in terms of what it can do, making it a bit of a novelty for the time being.

As for the iOS operating system itself, it's incredibly easy to use and looks beautiful. It pretty much invented the grid-based app layout that everything from the Xbox 360 to Roku entertainment players have ripped off since. It is also however incredibly limited in terms of customisation, and if you're a tinkerer who likes to get under the hood of his device and tweak every property and potential UI layout, it's not a patch on Android.

Galaxy S3
The Galaxy S3 runs Android Ice Cream Sandwich. When it comes to apps, Android just can't compete with iOS. For starters there are fewer apps available, and they tend to be uniformly less visually appealing than similar ones available on the Apple App Store.

Likewise, Android is a far less user-friendly OS, but what it lacks in dummy-proofing, it excels with customisation options. You can make your Android look and act pretty much however you want it to, freely adding widgets and personal touches throughout the device.

Samsung have also gone a long way to stamping their own touches into the software of the phone too. As well as the aforementioned Pop Up Play feature, there's superfast data sharing over NFC with S Beam, intelligent facial recognition and photo tagging capabilities, eye-tracking screen dimming tech called Smart Stay and their own Siri rival called S Voice.

Winner - iPhone 4S

Camera and Video Recording

iPhone 4S
Though its megapixel count of 8 isn't any higher than the majority of top-tier smartphones the iPhone 4S's imaging systems consistently deliver stunning results. Using a lens with an aperture of f/2.4, and combining that with clever HDR and Macro software, you get excellent still image results almost every time. A super-fast shutter speed that lets you snap multiple images directly after each other sweetens the deal, as do the many superb photography apps on the App Store. However, you can't tweak sensitivity settings like white balance and exposure, which may irk pro photographers.

1080p video recording with anti-shake functionality likewise returns brilliant results on the iPhone 4S, with the iMovie app letting you make a few simple edits on the go.

Galaxy S3
Samsung's top-tier smartphone camera seems every bit as good as the iPhones. Again, it's an 8MP offering, with impressive start up speeds of 990ms, and the ability to fire off 3.3 photos a second. A 20 in a row, six photos per second, burst mode also features, alongside Best Shot, which takes 8 pictures and picks out the best based on framing, lighting and blur, as well as elements such as open or closed eyes on the subject.

Then there are the facial recognition features. Snap a friend, tag them in one photo, and every subsequent picture you take of them in the future should automatically be tagged accurately by the handset. Groups of people appearing in the same shots can also have group tags associated with them, making organising large photo libraries incredibly easy. Images can quickly be shared via email or social networks using this feature too.

Elsewhere, more standard features like High Dynamic Range (HDR), panorama, Smile Shot and Beauty Modes are onboard too, as well as plenty of manual settings for things like Exposure values.

Though we spent less time with it, 1080p video recording is also onboard. Just like the S2 before it, the results from our early tests looked a real treat, with video stabilisation options working superbly. Up front, a 1.9MP camera for video calling and shooting 720p video is also available.

Winner - Tie

Price

iPhone 4S
Unlocked, the iPhone 4S in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB sizes cost £499, £599 and £699 respectively.

Galaxy S3
We're still waiting for official pricing for the Galaxy S3, but if the Galaxy S2 was anything to go by, expect premium pricing. The S2 started at around £500 SIM-Free too depending on retailer, so we'd imagine things to be similar with the Galaxy S3.

Winner - Tie

Overall Winner - Samsung Galaxy S3

There's not much in it, and the Apple faithful will likely see nothing that will make them change their ways, but our first impressions of the Galaxy S3 suggest it may be the best smartphone on the market today. A great camera, superb screen and innovative software features show Samsung have really pushed the boat out with the Galaxy S3. If the price proves right, and the battery is up to scratch, we could have a new smartphone king on our hands. Remember though, the iPhone 4S is based on a design (that of the iPhone 4) that is now a couple of years old. With the iPhone 5 launch almost certainly looming, the tables could turn yet again very quickly...

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has professed his love for Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 OS.

Stating that he believes apps for Windows Phones now look more beautiful than comparative ones for Android and iOS, Wozniak hailed Windows phone as the most aesthetically pleasing of all mobile operating systems.

"Just for looks and beauty, I definitely favor the Windows 7 phone over Android," Wozniak said in an interview with A New Domain.

"I'm kind of shocked on every screen -- much more beautiful than the same apps on Android and iPhone. So I think that what Microsoft or Nokia did is that they went to some of the key app makers and got them to deliberately make specialized beautiful ones or they put their own themes on."

However, Wozniak still has a soft spot for the iPhone, stating that his old buddy Steve Jobs must have risen from the grave to help out over at Microsoft.

"I did give my opinion that the Windows Phone 7 had superior visual appearance and operation cues that were also more attractive. In my opinion, it sets the mark for user interface. I would recommend it over my Android phones given that it doesn't yet have the breadth of apps," he added.

"I also surmised that Steve Jobs might have been reincarnated at MS due to a lot of what I see and feel with this phone making me think of a lot of great Apple things."

Via: PC Magazine

While we're twiddling our thumbs in the West waiting for the iPhone 5 to be inevitably revealed, tech fans in China are already twiddling something else around the next Jesus Phone; their tongues.

OK, so a little explanation is needed here. Chinese tech fans haven't actually got their hands on Apple's new iPhone earlier than anywhere else. Instead, they've the pleasure of eating an iPhone 5 ice cream. It's shaped like the Apple logo, but tastes like a mango. Go figure.

You see, whereas in the UK, US and plenty of other territories Apple's lawyers would be slapping a cease and desist order on iPhone branded ice creams before the chilly treats even have a chance to melt, in China Apple failed to register its trademarks across a number of industries.

Therefore, Apple and iPhone branding is popping up in the most unlikely of places, and Apple are can do very little about it. China's the place to be if you want iPhone hiking boots and iPad concrete, to use Kotaku's examples.

Still, we can't help but think a range of MacBook Air diet shakes wouldn't be a terrible idea...

Via: Kotaku / Rocket News

The next iPhone could take its design cues from Apple's MacBook laptop line with a unibody casing, according to one industry insider.

Brian J. White of Topeka Capital Markets has claimed that the sixth generation of the iPhone (likely set to be called the iPhone 5) will also come complete with a 4 inch screen and 4G LTE connectivity.

Receiving his information from a recent trip to see Taiwanese and Chinese suppliers, White believes the new design will be the primary upgrade reason for those with an iPhone 4S.

"In our view, this will be the most significant iPhone upgrade with a four-inch screen and a new, sleek look that we believe will require a Unibody case," he stated in a note to investors.

"This new, sleek look will be the most important reason that consumers decide to upgrade."

White also stated that the smartphone will go into production in June, meaning the iPhone 5 is likely on track for a year-on-year Autumn launch following on from the iPhone 4S.

White also backed up claims from Daring Fireball's John Gruber that Apple are also working on a 7.85 inch iPad mini.

Via: Apple Insider

Apple's iPhone 5 may have just had its release date slipped early by an employee at Foxconn, the Chinese manufacturing plant that builds many of Apple's core hardware products.

The Foxconn recruiter, speaking during a TV interview, stated that the factory was looking to employ an additional 18,000 workers "for the fifth-generation phone," stating specifically that it would release in June.

Barring the October release of the iPhone 4S late last year, a June release would be in keeping with Apple's prior annual summer iPhone refresh schedule. With many viewing the iPhone 4S as a stepping-stone release for the popular smartphone brand, it's not impossible that Apple are looking to bring the next generation edition out less than a year after its predecessor.

The employee however didn't give any new information on what to expect from the phone, missing the opportunity to add to rumours including a 4.6-inch screen and 3D camera support.

Of course, stick a national news camera in front of any unwitting fellow and their tongue will usually run faster than their brain can keep up. It could be the Foxconn employee was just getting a bit excited and putting together his own predictions.

Still, if there's anyone likely to know the iPhone 5 schedule, it'd be the workers putting the devices together. This rumour might have more wieght than we'd usually give it credit for.

Via: Electronista

From Nintendo to LG, it seems every major tech company has been dabling with 3D products over the past few years. All apart from Apple it would seem. Well it's emerged that even the trendsetters can be bandwagon jumpers too, as newly unearthed patents today revealed Apple's 3D tech plans.

Apple have apparently been working on a 3D camera for their iOS devices that will blow away similar technology by the competition. Capable of both facial recognition and facial gesture recognition ( i.e triggering a snap from smiles), the 3D camera would move Apple's Retina displays into a whole new dimension. It'd make use of new depth-detection sensors such as LIDAR and RADAR "that will create stereo disparity maps in creating 3D imagery," according to Patently Apple. The camera would also make use of "advanced chrominance and luminance Sensors for superior color accuracy."

According to details in the patent, Apple weren't looking solely at their iPhones, iPads and Mac computers in regards to the 3D tech either, suggesting that Apple have at the very least considered a dedicated 3D camera.

The patent, landing in the third quarter of last year, suggests that Apple are considering the tech for inclusion in products in the coming years, so don't expect to see it in whatever form the iPhone 5 takes.

And while Apple may have looked into the viability of a 3D system, we don't imagine the Cupertino company jumping at the chance of putting out a 3D product into a market that, so far at least, has given the third dimension such a lukewarm reception.

Still, if there's one company that know how to build a circus of anticipation around an as-yet-unproven, unloved technology (as with tablets and the iPad), it's Apple, and I can think of quite a few Apple fanboy pals who'd grab an Apple 3D camera just for the logo that would inevitably adorn it.

Via: Patently Apple

Apple are thought to be opening the doors of their World Wide Developers Conference on June 11th this year, and the star of the show is likely to be iOS 6 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

According to a finding by Cult of Mac, the Cupertino company have booked up their old haunt the Moscone Center in San Francisco for the date. Though listed as a "corporate event" (which, we suppose, all WWDC events technically are) the date lines up nicely with the expected opening of doors for the annual event.

Last year's WWDC saw Apple lift the covers off iOS 5, which then made its way into the iPhone 4S that October. We see no reason why Apple wont use the event to introduce iOS 6 this year.

It's also likely Apple will have the full, final build of Mountain Lion on show at the event. Last year Apple showed off Mac OS X 10.7 at the event, and with Mountain Lion already doing the rounds in a preview build, it seems a bit of a no-brainer.

Traditionally, Apple used WWDC to show off the lastest iPhone model, but with the iPhone 4S bucking the trend last year, we expect a similar Autumn showcase for the iPhone 5, at a separate event.

iOS 5.1, the latest version of Apple's touch-based mobile operating system, is now available to download for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users.

Launching alongside the Retina Display packing new iPad, iOS 5.1's biggest new feature is tailored for Japanese audiences, bringing Siri support to the land of the rising sun.

To grab the update, either hook your iOS device up to iTunes through your computer, or use the Software Update feature within iOS to carry out an over-the-air, cable free update.

Apple list the full line up of changes as follows:

o Japanese language support for Siri (availability may be limited during initial rollout)

o Photos can now be deleted from Photo Stream

o Camera shortcut now always visible on Lock Screen for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (4th generation)

o Camera face detection now highlights all detected faces

o Redesigned Camera app for iPad

o Genius Mixes and Genius playlists for iTunes Match subscribers

o Audio for TV shows and movies on iPad optimized to sound louder and clearer

o Podcast controls for playback speed and a 30 second rewind for iPad

o Updated AT&T network indicator

o Addresses bugs affecting battery life

o Fixes an issue that occasionally caused audio to drop for outgoing calls

RELATED| Hands-On: New iPad 3 initial review

The iPhone 5, Apple's next full on smartphone sequel, may not hit stores until the Autumn, according to a new report from Macotakara.

An unnamed source has told the Japanese website that an October launch is the most likely time we will see a new iPhone be revealed, shifting the once-traditional summer launch cycle to the Autumn, as first seen with the release of the iPhone 4S.

Set to go head-to-head with Android giants like the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S3, the iPhone 5 is expected to land with a quad-core processor, 4G download speeds and NFC technology, with some rumours also pointing towards a larger, more pixel-dense screen.

It looks set to be another busy year for Apple, who are thought to have an iPad 3 well into production, and a superslim MacBook Pro revamp waiting in the wings.

Via: BGR

Sci-fi fans rejoice! EA have confirmed that a new third-person shooter set in the Mass Effect universe is headed to iOS devices like iPhones and iPads.

Mass Effect Infiltrator is a companion app to Mass Effect 3 for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, allowing those that play the game to increase their "galactic readiness" in the console and computer game, which will help those who play it to achieve the best possible ending in Mass Effect 3.

EA describe the app in a press release as follows:

Take the all-out galactic war in Mass Effect 3 on-the-go with Infiltrator, a fully-featured iOS third-person shooter showcasing stunning graphics and authentic weapons and powers from the Mass Effect series.

Inspired by the deep and immersive Mass Effect 3 universe, in Infiltrator players will help to free prisoners from a hostile Cerberus base and will receive rewards for collecting evidence of Cerberus' crimes along the way. Every completed rescue and intelligence discovery in Infiltrator will increase a player's Galactic Readiness rating directly through the Galaxy at War system in Mass Effect 3.

No news on how the cross-platform integration will be achieved yet, but we expect EA's Origin platform to play a part somewhere down the line. More news on this release soon.

Fancy a bit of Xbox Live gaming on your Android or Apple iOS device? That's the possiblity being speculated upon today after a loose-lipped Microsoft executive teased the expansion of the platform.

Speaking to Forbes, an Xbox spokesperson stated that:

"While the Xbox Live experiences and games always work best on the Windows platform, we understand that some Xbox fans may be using other types of devices. To satisfy that need, we are working to extend a few of our Xbox experiences and titles to other platforms."

When it comes to mobile, only devices packing Microsoft's own Windows Phone OS have access to playable Xbox Live games. While the iOS App Store offers the Xbox Live status, stats and message tracking app My Xbox Live, as well as the standalone Kinectimals app, it doesn't yet offer gaming that's integrated into the same experience you'd find on Microsoft's home console. The same goes for Android devices.

While expansion to other platforms would be great news for consumers, Microsoft will have to weigh any eventual decision up very carefully. On the one hand, moving onto iOS and Android would greatly expand the Redmond company's mobile gaming dominance. But on the other, it will detract from the Xbox Live integration that is a key differentiator on their struggling Windows Phone 7 platform.

Apple may be preparing to line up the iPhone 5 smartphone for a summer launch, according to a new rumour originating from a Foxconn manufacturing plant employee.

The worker at the factory that has a long track record of building Apple goods claims that production has started on the iPhone 5. Given the 6-month production schedule given the iPhone 4S from April 2011 to October 2011, that would put the new handset on track for a June/July 2012 launch.

The worker also claims that four possible handset designs have been touted, each slightly different, but all having a display at least 4 inches in size. None are said to look like the iPhone 4 or 4S, which have shared a design over the past two generations of Apple smartphones.

However, with no finalised handset design in place, how can the plant be preparing for production? It detracts from the validity of the rumour; Apple can't green-light production if they haven't settled on a final look for the iPhone 5.

Also, while it's believable that Apple would up the screen size on the handset, I can't imagine them doing so if that means the handset itself would have to be dramatically larger, which makes the claims that 4 new prototypes are circulating a little hard to believe.

Via: 9to5 Mac

Will there ever come a time when Apple do not post record sales figures? The Cupertino company have just revealed their results from the fiscal 2012 first quarter (the 14 weeks leading up to December 31st), revealing stupendous sales of iPhones, iPads and iMacs.

Sales from these areas amounted to a record quarterly revenue of $46.33 billion, with a net profit of $13.06 billion. Compare this with the same period last year (with revenue of $26.74 billion and a net quarterly profit of $6 billion) and the takings have more than doubled. That net profit is more than all of Google's revenue across the same period.

It's all mostly thanks to the iPhone 4S, which, thanks to a late release which saw it pushed into October 2011 from its expected June window, helped push the record quarter. Including older models, Apple are thought to have sold some 37.04 million iPhones in the quarter, a 128% increase over the same quarter a year ago.

iPad and Mac sales were up to shifting 15.43 million and 5.2 million units respectively. That's an 111% growth in iPad sales over the same quarter and a 26% growth in Mac sales too.

The only product now in sharp decline is the iPod, which despite selling a giant 15.4 million units, saw a 21% year-on-year slide.

"We're thrilled with our outstanding results and record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs," said CEO Tim Cook.

"Apple's momentum is incredibly strong, and we have some amazing new products in the pipeline."

Did you upgrade from one smartphone to another over the Christmas period? Maybe you jumped from one operating system, like Google's Android, to Windows Phone 7 from Microsoft or iOS with the iPhone?

But it doesn't have to be that way! Follow a few simple steps, and your new smartphone will up and running with all the info you need from your last one in double-quick time. Today, we bring you a How-To guide from gadget helpline specialists the Geek Squad, who list five simple steps for an easy smartphone switchover.

1. Email and Calendars
If using your phone to access your email and calendar then the last thing you want is to see messages and appointments dropping out of your inbox. Transferring onto a commonly used system like Gmail could help you seamlessly transfer not only your email, but also your calendar and phone directory from one phone to another, because the system is compatible with both Google's Android and Apple's iOS software platforms. Apple's iCloud service is also a useful tool, as it allows iPhone users to access third party systems like Google's Calendar and Mail services, meaning you won't miss out on your appointment or message.

2. Messaging services
Many phones offer access to social messaging services such as Twitter or Facebook - it's relatively simple to switch over your account onto a new device, but do make sure it's been disabled on your old phone to stop any 'friends' accessing your feed! The only exception to this rule is Blackberry Messenger which is a service that only Blackberry supports, so if you're leaving the RIM world to join Android or Apple, you won't be able to take your BB friends with you. Consider alternative instant messengers like Twitter and Windows Live Messenger, both of which are supported across multiple platforms beyond mobile alone.

3. Text Messages
Text messages often hold some of our closest memories these days - from organising a first date to a heartfelt message from family, so the last thing you want to do is throw away those memories when you make the switch. Unfortunately transferring your old SMS text messages to your new phone can be a bit tricky. There is some nifty third-party software out there, which does the job for a small premium. Try SMS Export, available through the App Store. The App allows you to export your SMS messages in text format, which can then be transferred onto the MicroSD card in your new Android phone. Finally, download an App from the Android market like SMS Migrator to complete the process.

4. Music
Smart phones are being used more and more as our portable music players, and with downloads available direct to the handset it's important you don't lose any of your collection when you switch phones. The best way to do this is to use a music library on your computer - iTunes or Window's Media Player are the easiest to set up and use. It's simply a case of plugging in your old phone, transferring the music to your library, and then transferring your collection over to your new phone - you can always edit out any musical mistakes when you make the transition!

5. Data
Users tend to particularly worry about losing their data when switching or upgrading their phone, but it's important to remember that things can go wrong at any point, even with a tried and tested handset that you've owned for months, which is why it's a good idea to regularly back up. You can change your preferred settings so that your phone is automatically backed-up to a Cloud service, which means you can forget about needing to sync using your handset USB cable or any potential data loss.

For more gadget help from the Geek Squad, check their site here.

And here's us thinking that the UK's usual gang of Apple fanboys queuing days for the latest iDevice were crazy; get a load of the rabid crowds scrambling for a piece of iPhone 4S action at the handset's launch in Beijing, China.

Going on sale earlier this morning, reports of thousands of gadget fans swelling towards the Beijing store have been noted.

With Apple employees fearing the situation was becoming a danger to staff and the growing crowds, they decided to halt the sale of the latest Jesus phone.

Big mistake.

What reportedly followed were scenes just short of a riot, with disgruntled Apple fans taking to hurling eggs at the store front.

Apple continue to sell the iPhone to customers in China through their online store, but will be letting the rowdiness die down by halting instore sales "for the time being".

Via: PC World