New MacBook Pro to be slimmer, has no optical drive
Earlier this week there was a rumor going around that Apple was set to drop the MacBook Pro 13- and 15-inch models in favor of a 15-inch MacBook Air. Two days later and we’re hearing Apple has no intention of cutting those models. Instead, we’re going to see a redesigned range of Pros appearing very soon.
According to sources in the supply chain, Apple has decided to retain the MacBook Pro range, but make it significantly thinner. To achieve that the optical drive has been removed. To continue to differentiate the Pro from the Air, Apple is going to offer higher spec machines as well as continuing to offer 13-, 15- and 17-inch models. Read more...
Dell pulls back from netbook market
Dell has confirmed that it has ceased production of its Inspiron Mini netbook computer, in effect ending its pursuit of the receding netbook market, at least for consumer sales.
When Dell ran through its stock of the netbooks several months ago, it declined to manufacture more units, according to a Dell spokesman.
Instead the company is focusing its efforts in the mobile computing space on selling more powerful, yet still light, laptops, including an upcoming line of ultrabooks.
"We're committed to the highly portable space and have focused on delivering Thin + Powerful solutions, for which we've seen strong success, particularly in our XPS line," a company statement read, referencing the company's newly introduced XPS 15z and XPS 14z laptops. Read more...
China rare earths supplier suspends production
China's biggest producer of rare earths is suspending production for one month in hopes of boosting slumping prices of the exotic minerals used in mobile phones and other high-tech products.
This week's move by Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Rare-Earth (Group) Hi-Tech might fuel tensions with the United States and Europe. They have questioned Beijing's decision announced earlier to limit exports while it tries to develop its own manufacturers of magnets and other products made of rare earths.
In a statement through the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Baotou Steel said it wants to "balance supply and demand" after prices for rare earths fell amid uncertainty about the U.S. and European economic outlooks.
Rare earths are a group of 17 minerals used in manufacturing flat-screen TVs, mobile phones, batteries for electric cars, wind turbines and weaponry. Read more...
Apple iPhone 5 ships October, claims rumor machine
With classic clumsiness and style I dropped my iPhone this morning and smashed its display. This means I'm so in the market for a new Apple [AAPL] smartphone: good news then that iPhone 5 production has begun and it looks likely we'll be getting hold of the new metal-back device starting next month (October).
October action
Multiple rumors this weekend seem to support an October release for the faster, slimmer, lighter Apple iPhone. German carrier Deutsche Telecom is even offering iPhone pre-orders to its customers on a voucher system, though won't say when the device will ship, or if it will ship. Read more...