If you’ve been patiently waiting to get your hands on the next generation iPhone — which is set to debut next Tuesday — you might have to wait a little bit longer than you were hoping for.
The 10th anniversary of Apple’s linchpin device — loosely titled the iPhone 8, although iPhone X and iPhone Pro are also in play — has run into production glitches stemming from its new OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diodescreen) screen, according to the Wall Street Journal. The issues have pushed back its production by about a month.
Apple’s OLED screens are similar to the ones found on the phones of its main rival, Samsung — and with good reason. Apple depends on Samsung to mass manufacture its new large screens, which will cover nearly the entire front of the iPhone and do away with its classic “home button.”
Adding to the iPhone’s delay, according to WSJ, is Apple’s failed integration of touch ID to its display. iPhone 8 will use its new facial recognition technology or passwords to unlock.
With a supply shortfall on its hands, Apple and its contractors are looking to bolster its production. Foxconn, the Chinese contractor behind assembling the iPhone, is starting to pay out bonuses to employees able to bring in new workers. The company already has 250,000 people working at its plant in Zhengzhou, China.
If investors are worried about shipment delays affecting iPhone sales, they haven’t shown it yet. Shares of Apple dropping less than 0.5 percent on Thursday. With many of its customers due for a phone upgrade, analysts are expecting the new device to spur a “super cycle” for Apple.
Those lucky enough to grab the new iPhone in its first weeks will have to pay up, though, with high-end versions of the device going for up to $1,000.
11 Coolest Products at CES Asia, From Order-Taking Robots to VR Fishing (Photos)
CES Asia, the three-year-old overseas version of the annual Las Vegas tech extravaganza, took over five halls at the Shanghai New International Expo Center to showcase the latest and greatest in consumer technology -- which included plenty of robots, smart appliances and self-driving cars. A full 450 exhibiting companies and more than 30,000 attendees test drove some products at the bleeding edge of innovation.
Matt Pressberg
Cowarobot autonomous suitcase This is not your typical overnight bag. The rolling suitcase from China’s Cowarobot can identify and follow its owner through airport concourse traffic, avoiding obstacles along the way. It also automatically locks depending on distance from the owner, alerts when it’s more than a safe distance away.
Matt Pressberg
Pico Neo DKS The Pico Neo DKS is a wireless virtual reality rig that plays like a full-fledged PC setup, with a 2.5K 5.5 inch HD screen that smooths out the often-blurry and clunky gameplay of most mobile VR devices. The setup uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 processor to deliver substantial computing power.
Matt Pressberg
HiScene HiAR Like the Neo DKS, one of CES Asia’s buzziest augmented reality headsets also features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor. The HiAR goggles, which feel heftier than many other AR sets, use artificial intelligence as part of an always-on voice control capability -- as augmented reality continues to move toward a “Minority Report” future.
Matt Pressberg
Shadow Creator Halomini In case you hadn’t noticed, virtual and augmented reality was kind of a big deal at CES Asia – as it was at the flagship Vegas show earlier this year. Shadow Creator’s Halomini headset, which feels like a lighter version of Microsoft’s HoloLens, allows users to set appointments, chat with friends and watch videos, while keeping their eyes on whatever it was they're watching.
Matt Pressberg
Ovo Technology Danovo CES Asia is full of robots, but the Danovo stood out for its fun personality – as much as that applies to an inanimate object. The egg-shaped machine from China’s Ovo Technology can navigate around items, dance, engage with people, and even project video by sliding over the top of its “shell.” Ovo also makes trash collecting and security robots, but they're a lot more serious than the Danovo.
Matt Pressberg
Gowild Holoera Virtual reality can be lonely, which is why Gowild decided to add a friend. “Amber,” a 3D hologram who lives inside its pyramid-shaped Holoera device, can respond to commands, read moods – and cheer users up with a well-timed song.
Matt Pressberg
Qihan Sanbot Another entry in CES Asia’s parade of robots was Qihan’s Sanbot, which is based on IBM’s "Jeopardy!"-winning Watson operating system. Sanbot can recognize and communicate with customers in 30 languages and process credit card payments. It also does a delightful dance, complete with glowing, gyrating limbs.
Matt Pressberg
Baidu Little Fish The smart speaker from Chinese tech giant Baidu is the country’s answer to the Amazon Echo, only with a high-resolution 8-inch screen and camera that turns to face the user. It can handle the basics like controlling smart-home devices and playing music, and its face-recognition software allows authorized users to order food and medicine.
Matt Pressberg
PowerVision Power Ray The fishing robot includes ocean mapping, an integrated fish luring light and even an optional remote bait drop feature that allows users to place the hook wherever they want. Its camera shoots in 4K UHD and is capable of 1080p real-time streaming. It even connects with the Zeiss VR One Plus VR headset to turn real-life fishing into a virtual reality game.
Matt Pressberg
JD JDrone The unmanned aircraft is part of a plan from China’s second-biggest online retailer, JD.com, to use drones to deliver products that weigh as much as one metric ton. The company is also developing fully-automated warehouses.
Matt Pressberg
Itonology CarMew C1 This lighter socket-mounted device gives cars high-speed wi-fi, allowing people in them (preferably not driving) to get work done and stream music. It connects near field FM, auxiliary dual channels and car audio, and enables sharing of 4G networks.
Matt Pressberg
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The Chinese version of the annual tech extravaganza featured plenty of robots and serious advances in mobile virtual reality
CES Asia, the three-year-old overseas version of the annual Las Vegas tech extravaganza, took over five halls at the Shanghai New International Expo Center to showcase the latest and greatest in consumer technology -- which included plenty of robots, smart appliances and self-driving cars. A full 450 exhibiting companies and more than 30,000 attendees test drove some products at the bleeding edge of innovation.
Matt Pressberg
Matt Pressberg
