Apple to Release Polycarbonate 4.5-Inch iPhone in 2014?

A new report from Macotakara claims that Apple will release a polycarbonate 4.5-inch iPhone in 2014.

While various informations fly about, as for a 4.5-inch liquid-crystal model, a plan will be postponed to sale in 2014

The new device will allegedly look very similar to the iPhone 5 with the same placement of the LCD and home button. Due to its polycarbonate body, the phone may be somewhat thicker. 

Probably in order to maintain a resilience, thickness is increasing, but the informed sources are saying that it is only a level that is not different from having equipped iPhone 5 with the casing made from polycarbonate.

The phone is said to cost significantly less than the current device with pricing set around $330.

Additionally, the site mentions that next generation "iPhone 5S" will receive a dual light-emitting-diode flash similar to previous rumors.

TinyUmbrella is Updated With Support for Saving iOS 6.1.2 SHSH Blobs

TinyUmbrella has been updated with support for saving your iOS 6.1.2 SHSH blobs.

TU updated for 6.1.2. Avoid 6.1.3 like the plague. http://thefirmwareumbrella.blogspot.com

You can download the new version of TinyUmbrella from here. Instructions can be found here: Windows, Mac.

FCC to Investigate Ban on Unlocking Cell Phones

The FCC will investigate the recent decision by the Library of Congress to make unlocking cell phones illegal, reports TechCrunch. The commission will examine if the ban is harmful to economic competitiveness and if they have the authority to change the law.

The “ban raises competition concerns; it raises innovation concerns,” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski told TechCrunch's Gregory Ferenstein. 

Until earlier this year, individuals were free to unlock their smartphone. Unfortunately, unlocking was only allowed as an exemption from Digital Millennium Copyright Act and upon review the Library of Congress decided to remove the exemption.

Genachowski isn’t sure what authority he has, but if he finds any, given the tone of the conversation, it’s likely he will exert his influence to reverse the decision. 

“It’s something that we will look at at the FCC to see if we can and should enable consumers to use unlocked phones.”

A recent petition to make cell phone unlocking legal has received over 100,000 signatures warranting an official response from the White House.

Greenlight Drops Lawsuit Against Apple After Achieving Desired Result

Greenlight Capital has dropped their lawsuit against Apple after the company was granted a preliminary injunction against Apple preventing a bundled vote from taking place at the annual shareholder meeting.

Despite being called a "silly sideshow" by Apple CEO Tim Cook, a judge found that Apple was in violation of SEC rules and that Greenlight Capital faced irreparable harm if they were compelled to vote on the bundled proposal. 

Greenlight Capital wanted to vote against a controversial proposal to limit the company's ability to issue preferred stock; however, Apple had bundled the proposal with others violating SEC regulations.

A Greenlight spokesman told AllThingsD that the suit had served its purpose: “Apple removed the bundled proposal from the shareholder meeting therefore resolving the issue.”

Apple iPad and Microsoft Surface Receive Lowest Repairability Scores

iFixit has ranked popular tablets by their repairability scores. The only device more difficult to repair than the iPad is the Microsoft Surface.

A device with a perfect score will be relatively inexpensive to repair because it is easy to disassemble and has a service manual available. Points are docked based on the difficulty of opening the device, the types of fasteners found inside, and the complexity involved in replacing major components. Points are awarded for upgradability, use of non-proprietary tools for servicing, and component modularity.

The Dell XPS 10 topped the list as the most repairable with a score of 9. The iPad 2, 3, 4, and mini scored 2 out of 10. The Microsoft Surface Pro scored 1 out of 10.

Apple Tops Fortune's List of World's Most Admired Companies

Apple has topped Fortune's list of the World's Most Admired Companies.

Apple:
Top 50 rank: 1
Rank in Computers: 1
Overall score: 8.24

Why it's admired:
Apple has had a rough time lately with its stock price in a free fall and the widely publicized failure of its Maps feature. However, it remains a financial juggernaut, posting $13 billion in net income last quarter, making it the most profitable company in the world during that period. The company has its fanatical customer base, and it still refuses to compete on price, making the iconic iPhone and iPad products that are still widely seen as prestige devices. Competition may be stiff, but so far it remains behind: In Q4 2012, the iPhone 5 was the world's best selling smartphone, followed in second place by the iPhone 4S.

Rounding out the Top 10 is Google, Amazon.com, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, IBM, Southwest Airlines, Berkshire Hathaway, Walt Disney, and FedEx.

ChargeCard is an iPhone USB Cable That Fits in Your Wallet

ChargeCard is an iPhone USB cable that is shaped like a business card so it fits into your wallet.

Our quest was simple: a charging cable for your iPhone portable enough for you to always have it on you. Being ultra-portable, however, wasn't enough; it needed to fit into your life. So we designed ChargeCard in the shape of a business card, and at only three times the thickness of a credit card. With this form factor, the ChargeCard fits naturally into your wallet, purse or pocket. It's there when you need it, and out of your way when you don't. 

ChargeCard's body is made from durable ABS plastic and its foldout USB arm is made of a flexible thermoplastic elastomer.

The cable is seeking funding from Kickstarter. So far $33,342 has been pledged of its $50,000 goal with 37 days to go. You can pledge $20 to get one of your own with a choice of 3 colors.