A Bloomberg report today said the lab, which began operating sometime this year, is focused on new ways to make device displays thinner and better. The lab is located in the Longtan District in northern Taiwan and reportedly employs at least 50 people. The building was formerly owned by U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm, according to the report.

Part of Taiwan’s Taoyuan City, the Longtan District is known for tea growing but is also an emerging area for technology, according to the city’s Web site. Earlier this year, the mayor announced an effort aimed at further developing the region’s economy and improving the public infrastructure.

Focus on Efficiency

Apple did not respond to our request for more information about the new lab facility. However, Bloomberg reported that Hsinchu Science Park management office records indicate that Apple began operations in the building in April.

In addition to working on ways to make iPhones and iPads thinner and more energy efficient, Apple is also reportedly exploring the use of organic light-emitting diodes instead of liquid-crystal displays, Bloomberg’s sources said.

The report added that Apple could reduce its reliance on suppliers like Samsung by developing its own proprietary display technologies. That could also help reduce production costs by enabling Apple to outsource manufacturing to smaller partner companies, the article said.

‘Everything on the Table’

IDC analyst Ramon Llamas told us that outside of increasing screen sizes, the key features of our smartphones haven’t changed much for many years. Two notable and recent exceptions include Samsung’s side display, unveiled with the Galaxy S6 Edge, and Apple’s new support for 3D Touch, which allows users to control their devices according to the amount of pressure they apply to the screens of their devices.

What other innovations could become the next big thing for smartphones? “At this point, everything is on the table,” Llamas said. Given Apple’s strong brand and reputation for innovation, reports of a “secret” lab in Taiwan isn’t surprising, he said. “That’s been Apple’s M.O. for years . . . going in a new direction,” Llamas said.

In its most recent financial results, released in late October, Apple CEO Tim Cook reported that 2015 would be the company’s “most successful year ever.” Revenues for the year reached $234 billion, up 28 percent over the previous year.

“This continued success is the result of our commitment to making the best, most innovative products on earth, and it’s a testament to the tremendous execution by our teams,” Cook noted at the time, pointing to new offerings that include the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, Apple Watch, iPad Pro and Apple TV.

The article Apple Opens ‘Secret’ Lab To Develop iPhone Screens appeared first on Arabian Post.

Stocks had a rough finish to what was shaping up as a decent week. Chipotle landed with the biggest thud, plunging 21.5% after disappointing revenue Thursday, while Advanced Micro Devices dropped 13.2% after a disappointing second quarter of its own. Morgan Stanley, which reported poor profits of its own Thursday, lost another 3.6%.

The major indexes finished right near session lows Friday, about 1% in the red. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 121 points, or 0.9%, to 12,823, the S&P 500 14 points, or 1%, to 1,363 and the Nasdaq 41 points, or 1.4%, to 2,925. For the week, the Dow and S&P each managed to gain 0.4%, while the Nasdaq added 0.6%.

Earnings season has been mixed to date, with better-than-expected profits masking underlying weakness across a number of industries owing largely to the slowing recovery in the U.S., less rapid expansions of growth in emerging markets and the ongoing turmoil in Europe. According to FactSet, though 74% of the 104 S&P 500 companies to report earnings have exceeded the consensus per-share estimate, only 45% have beaten revenue expectations. That marks the lowest level at this stage of earnings season since the first quarter of 2009, when the market hit its nadir and the U.S. economy was still mired in recession.

The article After Morgan Stanley And Chipotle Crater, Market Turns To Apple And Facebook appeared first on Arabian Post.

If you’re an audiophile who waxes nostalgic when it comes to the classic Walkman audio cassette and CD players — you’re in luck. There’s a new Sony (SNE) Walkman out, though if you’re in America, you may need to pack a passport to purchase one legally.

The Japanese consumer electronics giant has been following Apple’s (AAPL) iPod footsteps through Asia and Europe in recent years in its attempt to update its iconic brand. The Sony Walkman F800 is an impressive successor to its line of portable media players. You might not even recognize it.

The Walkman F800 — which will retail for around $280 when it launches in Europe — is a digital media player powered by Android 4.0.

The 3.5-inch device plays music and video, and has WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity to surf for fresh media and broadcast its contents through other devices. Storage options top out at 32 gigabytes – possibly not enough for diehard audiophiles with massive digital music collections.

Still, it’s a slick device and the early reviews have been generally positive. But it is — ultimately — a portable digital media player.

Even Apple has struggled to move iPods lately. Sales have fallen over the past year, largely because smartphone and tablet owners no longer have to lug around an additional device to take their music with them.

This Song Fades Out Slowly

Sony could certainly use a hit. The company’s TV business has suffered deficits for seven consecutive years. A few years ago, Sony was the top dog in video game consoles. These days its PlayStation 3 and PS Vita are laggards in consoles and handhelds, respectively.

The article The Walkman Rises: Can a Nostalgic Reboot Revive Sony? appeared first on Arabian Post.