#45 Apple planning to launch three new iPhone's this year

iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and a 4 inch iPhone are slated for release in 2015, unlike what Apple has done ever before. 

Apple is planning to release three new iPhone models in 2015, according to reports. The Cupertino-based technology giant is working on the 4.7 inch iPhone 6s, a 5.5 inch iPhone 6s Plus and a new 4-inch iPhone model, which will all be launched later this year.

According to reports, Apple is working on two successors to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, named iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. In addition, Apple is also working on a 4 inch model called the iPhone 6C.   

Rumors suggest that all three devices will be equipped with LTPS panels from Japan Display, LG for the 6S models and Sharp for the iPhone 6C model. The two 6S variants will be powered by an Apple A9 chip, while the 6C will have the A8 chip found in current models.

Other specifications reported for the iPhone 6S include 2GB of LPDDR4 RAM. All the three devices will come with Corning Gorilla Glass protection and inbuilt NFC and fingerprint scanning technology. According to reports Wistron may be in charge of manufacturing the 6C units, while the rest will be developed by Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Pegatron.

Apple's CEO Tim Cook had stated that the new, larger iPhone models had record sales and brought the highest Android switcher rate over in the past three years. It's possible that Apple now plans to offer more sizing options to customers to further improve iPhone sales, as Cook also mentioned different regions preferred different screen sizes. 

The new iPhone models are expected to be launched in September, with Apple's new Force Touch technology, that was introduced in the Apple Watch, the new MacBook and new 13-inch MacBook Pros. 

#37 Apple's latest patent filing hints at future waterproof iPhones

Apple's new patent could lead to waterproof iPhones and wearable's in the future

Apple has filed a new patent application that reveals that the company is actively researching new methods of waterproofing its phones. The new patent could lead to waterproofed Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.  

Apple new patent at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for "Methods for shielding electronic components from moisture" outlines a process for coating sensitive device components using advanced vapor deposition technology and protecting solder leads with silicone seals.

According to the patent filed by Apple on March 31, 2014 and published on March 5, 2015, “Many electronic devices are susceptible to water damage because they are not fully sealed and include various openings for charging, connecting peripherals, and inputting and outputting audio.” 

The patent describes a new hydrophobic/ water-repelling coating to a device’s printed circuit board (PCB) by a plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) process, which charges a substrate’s surface to connect the coating to the charged surface. The patent states that, “The plasma then settles on and adheres to the component, providing a robust, water-resistant, corrosion-resistant protective seal for the component.” 

The new technology would allow Apple to protect its devices against moisture without sacrificing on their design. CEO Tim Cook had recently revealed that the Apple Watch, it has splash resistance and can be worn in the shower.

Rivals, Sony and Samsung already use waterproofing methods on their smartphone and tablets that involve sealing of ports. Samsung's Galaxy S5 was water-resistant, while Sony’s Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact phones are waterproof, as well as the recently introduced Sony Xperia M4 Aqua.