Well today was a busy day for next generation iPhone rumors, the day started with an analyst claiming that he had knowledge about upcoming iPhone, followed by Foxconn’s head of human resources giving his two cents about iPhone launch and finally some specs were also thrown into the mix by 9to5mac.

Topeka Capital markets analyst Brian white released his research report in which he claimed smaller iPad mini is still in works and the redesigned iPhone 5 will have a new, sleek look. White wrote:

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. This new, sleek look will be the most important reason that consumers decide to upgrade to the iPhone 5, while we believe the addition of 4G will also attract buyers of the new device.

White also believes that production of iPhone 5 components is ramping up to start device assembly by June for a launch in the August-September timeframe.

However, head of human resources at Foxconn, Apple manufacturing partner for iPhones said to Maeil Business Newspaper that Apple is aiming to launch the iPhone in October. Kotaku reported the following about the article published by the newspaper:

According to a recently published article, the paper asked the head of human resources at Foxconn's Taiyuan factory about the iPhone 5 release date. The human resources head apparently told the paper, "We just got the order. It [the release] will be around October."

So, now we have every month covered from June till October for iPhone 5 launch rumors. The talkative HR head also gave other unimportant information to the newspaper which you can read on Kotaku’s website.

Finally, 9to5mac have heard from reliable sources that Apple is testing a variant of iPhone 4S featuring modified A5X chip that will be used in upcoming iPhone 5. Mark Gurman wrote:

First, the new iPhone. Much like they did last year, Apple has internally seeded a prototype next-generation iPhone with the iPhone 4 design. The actual next-generation iPhone is specifically said to not include the iPhone 4/4S design, but Apple is testing these new devices in older casings to throw off leaks. The purpose of the prototype iPhone that we heard about is to test a variation of the “A5X” chip in an iPhone. The A5X processor in the new iPad was specifically built to drive the new Retina Display, so that chip wouldn’t make much sense in an iPhone.

Instead, the iPhone prototypes that we’re talking about have a variation of the A5X’s S5L8945X architecture. Like the A5X-powered iPad, these new iPhone prototypes are packing 1GB of RAM. This prototype is labeled N96 internally, but we’re not sure if this internal codename will carry over to the actual next-generation iPhone. Again, this iPhone that we are describing is an internal-only unit built for testing the performance of a new chip in an iPhone, not an actual phone that Apple will produce.

So in short no one knows when iPhone 5 is coming, also no one knows what design changes it will bring and no one knows the actual specification. The two things we do know for sure - first the next generation iPhone will see complete redesign, and second our sources say that Apple doesn’t want to delay the launch till Q4 2012.

According to a leaked roadmap slide, LG is preparing new flagship smartphone that will compete with Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S III. The new handset will be powered by 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 chip and feature a 4.7-inch LCD screen with 1280 x 720 resolution. It will be based on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and support LTE in US and Korea. Europe will get a HSPA+ version. It is rumored that the LG D1L will be launched by May end. [Via The Verge]

Intel today launched the 7-series chipsets (codenamed Panther Point) designed for upcoming Ivy Bridge processors. In the previews of these new chipsets, AnandTech revealed some of the new features that upcoming Ivy Bridge processors will support. The new processors will have support for following new technologies:

PCIe 3.0: We still have 16 PCIe lanes from the CPU, but with the new chipset these are fully and officially rated at PCIe 3.0 speeds if you have the GPUs to take advantage of this feature. This becomes more apparent in multi-GPU setups, where the 16 lanes are split between the slots. Typically, this will be in the form of x16 for single card, x8/x8 for dual GPU, and x8/x4/x4 at tri-GPU. Having an x4 PCIe 3.0 is equivalent to an x8 PCIe 2.0, but only if you have a card that can take advantage of PCIe 3.0.

Native USB 3.0: The other long awaited addition found on Panther Point is the native implementation of USB 3.0 that comes directly from the chipset. The chipset will only provide two USB 3.0 ports, either in the form of rear panel additions or an onboard header (this is at the discretion of the motherboard manufacturer). However, this shows that Ivy Bridge processor will have native USB 3.0 support.

Support for DDR3-2800 and DDR3L memory: The Panther Point chipset comes with a few additional features that may be of benefit to some users. Partially derived from the processors themselves, the chipset now supports DDR3L thanks to its power gated DDR3 interface. For the high-end power user, the chipset is now geared to handle memory that is more powerful. Again, thanks to the improvement on the new processors, these combined systems should be able to handle (with ease) DDR3-2800 memory.

AnandTech has posted a very detailed preview of various new 7-series chipsets including Z77, Z75 and H77 from companies like ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ECS and Biostar. Check out the full preview on AnandTech’s website.

Well what’s more to say, the video tells everything… It’s a really funny take on Google’s recently announced Project Glass. The video was posted by rebelliouspixels on Youtube and he described the video as:

When I saw Google had somehow forgotten to include any ads in their Project Glass promotional video I just couldn't resist fixing that oversight for them. ??

So here is my slightly more realistic version of Google's augmented reality glasses - now featuring contextual Google Ads!

Last week, we reported that upcoming thinner and lighter MacBook Pros featuring new Ivy Bridge processors will be the most powerful Mac laptops ever with at least 30% performance jump. Adding more weight to our report, a Bulgarian website Laptop.bg has posted benchmarks of entry level quad core mobile processor Intel Core i7-3610QM, which will be part of Ivy Bridge lineup. The website got their hands on the new processor and ran some benchmarking tests comparing the new Ivy Bridge mobile processor with last years Sandy Bridge chips.

The website ran synthetic benchmarks as well as “real life” benchmarks to test both the CPU performance and the performance of the new HD 4000 integrated GPU. For CPU tests they used Cinebench, Fritz and Adobe Photoshop CS5. In Cinebench 10 tests, the new entry-level quad-core 2.3GHz Core i7-3610QM was more than 25% faster in both single CPU and Multi CPU tests than last generation entry-level quad-core 2.0GHz Core i7-2630QM processor. In Cinebench 11 test to the results were similar with the new processor showing 27% increase when compared to 2.0GHz Core i7-2630QM and 22% increase when compared to 2.2GHz Core i7-2670QM.

Laptop.br compared new Ivy Bridge chip with 2.2GHz Core i7-2670QM in Fritz test and the new chip was 12.5% faster. In real world Photoshop CS5 test the Ivy Bridge chip was 22.9% faster than Core i7-2630QM and 16.5% faster when compared to 2.2GHz Core i7-2670QM. Overall, in comparison to last generation quad-core mobile processor, the new quad-core Ivy Bridge showed performance improvement ranging from 10% to 30%.

For testing graphics performance increase the website used 3DMark 2005, 3DMark 11 and Resident Evil 5. In 3Dmark 2005 test, Laptop.br compared entry level GPUs from NVIDIA and AMD with the new integrated HD 4000 GPU on Core i7-3610QM. The HD 4000 topped every GPU except NVIDIA GeForce 520MX. In fact most of the cards in this test were dedicated GPUs and the new HD 4000 was still topping them.

However, in 3DMark 11 where the new Ivy Bridge chip was compared to higher end dedicated GPUs it was left in dust showing the for DirectX 11 gaming you still need high-end GPUs. Overall, last generation HD 3000 GPU wasn’t even comparable to entry-level GPUs, but that has changed with the new HD 4000. Nonetheless, if you are looking for graphics performance you will still have to go with a dedicated GPU.

The benchmark results show a clear jump in both CPU and GPU performance with the new Core i7-3610QM processor. And when combined with a new 28nm dedicated GPU from NIVIDA on the upcoming MacBook Pro it should show at least 30% improvement in overall performance.

Since the Nokia PureView phone was announced few months back everyone has been asking the same question, when will Nokia’s Windows Phone devices get this awesome 41-megapixel camera? And if you are ready to believe a Chinese site it168.com then Nokia is working on a Lumia PureView Concept smartphone that will being Windows Phone OS and PureView’s 41-megapixel camera together.

The site posted slides showing a Windows Phone 8 Nokia Lumia PureView handset featuring the 41-megapixel sensor. The Chinese site claims that these slides are of a concept phone featuring 4.3-inch HD display, 41-megapixel sensor and Adreno 320 GPU (which will come to Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor later this year).

If the slides are real this handset could actually turn out to be the first breakthrough smartphone for Windows Phone platform, as Lumia 900 isn’t setting the world on fire. Even though AT&T claims that they are selling out of pre-orders, we have heard that they haven’t even sold 100,000 pre-order yet for Lumia 900. AT&T is just trying to create a smoke screen so that people get more interested in the April 8th Nokia Lumia 900 launch.

Intel Corporation announced today that the next-generation in-vehicle infotainment system (IVI) for select NISSAN Motor Company production vehicles will be powered by the Intel Atom processor beginning in 2013. The IVI system features a twin-display that was unveiled in the Infiniti LE, a luxury zero-emissions concept vehicle, at the New York International Auto Show today. Infiniti is the luxury vehicle brand of the NISSAN Motor Company.

"Technology and vehicles are integral components of everyday life and by combining the two, we can we achieve a truly connected, mobile lifestyle," said Ton Steenman, vice president of Intel's Intelligent Systems Group. "The processing power of the Intel Atom processor enables NISSAN to deliver information and entertainment to drivers and passengers simultaneously in a safe manner and opens the door to more enjoyable driving experiences."

The new IVI system focuses on several areas of exploration, including mobile device-to-vehicle fusion, cloud-based services for vehicles, and vehicle video surveillance via smartphones, as well as vehicle access and control via smartphones. For example, by using in-car connectivity and cameras and sensors already in the car, the car is able to notify the owner via smartphone when the vehicle is struck in a parking lot. Additionally, using near-field communications or a barcode to securely pair a smartphone with a car enables the smartphone to become a virtual key for remote keyless entry to the vehicle.

Most car companies have used ARM based systems for their in-vehicle infotainment and Intel’s entry in this sector is a clear indication that Intel is not only aiming for smartphone market with their energy efficient new Atom processors, but also for integrated system like car infotainment, both markets where ARM has been the ruler for past decade. Check out Intel’s VP of Intelligent Systems, Ton Steenman’s interview with WSJ where he talks in detail about this new venture.

The Verge is reporting that Google might delay the launch of their first Google branded tablet from current May launch schedule to July or later because of price concerns. Google has partnered up with Asus to make the new 7-inch tablet, which is aimed as a halo device for Android tablet market. The Verge posted:

Google’s first foray into the tablet market with a co-branded Android device won't be with us until July at the earliest. The current design was ready to go for May, but Google pushed back the planned release so it could tweak the device, sources close to the project said on Friday.

The Mountain View team plans to make some design changes and hopes to lower the price from the current $249. The tablet, made in partnership with Taiwan’s Asustek Computer, currently comes with a 7-inch screen, an Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor, and is Wi-Fi only. It runs Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. The $249 price tag on the current Google-Asustek tablet is higher than previous reports of a $149-$199 device. Amazon’s Kindle Fire, another 7-inch tablet that retails for $199, is the obvious competitor that Google will be taking on in that size and price range.

It will be interesting to see what Google brings to the tablet market with the new tablet because of price limitations. Amazon Kindle is priced $199, but compromises on screen quality, onboard storage and some basic features like camera.

Analyst Peter Misek today wrote in his research note that Apple will start manufacturing their HDTV in May this year and will build up to 5 million units this year. He also wrote that Apple won’t call their HDTV iTV, but will call it iPanel. Misek explained his reasoning for the iPanel name:

Misek explains in an email this morning that his conjecture regarding the name derives from the fact that the “iTV” name is owned by the U.K. company of the same name, which has global rights, he says, “and won’t sell them based on recent checks,” although it’s still possible in the end the company could sell to Apple. “They may be just negotiating” at present, but he can’t be sure, he tells me… Moreover, “iPanel” is owned by Crestron, “which discontinued its product line and is focusing more on Apple products to integrate in their system,” he adds. It would be consistent, too, with a naming convention of “iP___” for Apple products.

Misek also believes that Apple will use Sharp’s IGZO LCD panel. He said during his recent trip to Asia he saw polarized films, filters and IGZO components headed to Apple suppliers in small quantities. Misek was confident that Apple will use IGZO panels from Sharp even though the company hasn’t yet started mass production of large size IGZO LCD panel. He explained:

Hon Hai and its related entities are the largest shareholder (with a ~6% stake) in Chimei Innolux which is the largest LCD display manufacturer in Taiwan. Recent reports note that Chimei Innolux is running at 80% capacity utilization for its large- size panels, which leads us to believe that Hon Hai’s Sharp investment is less about securing capacity and more about its relationship with Apple and the upcoming launch of the iTV. We believe Sharp and Apple have modified the IGZO (indium, gallium, zinc) technology to make much-improved HD displays. The Sharp relationship will enable Apple to diversify away from Samsung and gain additional display capacity with leading-edge technology.

We haven’t heard anything about Apple calling its HDTV iPanel. Also from what we have heard till now, Apple hasn’t yet decided what kind of LCD panel they will use in their HDTV. Will it be an IPS LCD, IGZO LCD or some other kind hasn’t yet been finalized.

The highly reliable Apple rumorist, John Gruber of Daring Fireball said on The Talk Show that Apple is working on a 7.85-inch iPad, which will have same resolution as iPad 2. He said the following about the 7-inch iPad:

I do know that they have one in the lab. A 7.85-inch iPad that runs 1024 x 768, it just like the 9.7-inch iPad shrunk down a little bit. The apps wouldn’t need to be recompiled or redesigned to work optimally on it, it’s just that the iPad is smaller.

I didn’t believe at first, but I have heard this before and I have done little screenshot testing on the iPad. One way to get a feel about how big it is, is to take a screenshot on the iPad holding it in portrait and then rotate it to horizontal, to landscape and show that same screenshot and that how big the interface will be. The height of the 7.85-inch iPad will be same as the width of the current iPad. And its usable, there are couple of areas where text is little small, but it’s not ridiculously small.

And I have heard from numerous people that, that’s one of the ideas that they’re noodling with. I have no idea and I have heard from nobody that it has any kind of time frame for when they ship it or if it’s something they want to ship. I think it’s something, it like a maybe.

John talked more about why or why not Apple will ship the 7.85-inch iPad. You can listen to The Talk Show on 5by5 website. John starts talking about the 7.85-inch iPad after 1:16 mark.