MacRumors

Apple is expected to hold a press conference in the coming weeks to introduce its fall lineup for the iPhone and iPod touch. Most of the rumors have been focused on the next iPhone revision, and there has been very little information about the next-generation iPod touch.

MacRumors has received information indicating that the next iPod touch revision will be a very minor change, with the primary addition being the introduction of a new white model. Only minor changes are expected for the existing hardware, with the addition of an oleophobic coating for the display and a revised ambient light sensor seemingly being the main differences. Otherwise, we expect the models to be nearly identical to the current fourth-generation iPod touch model.

Our information confirms previous reports by Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who had indicated that there would be few, if any, distinguishable changes from last year's iPod touch model.

White parts for the iPod touch leaked into the supply chain back in July, offering the first suggestion of the imminent introduction of the white iPod touch but with no major case changes. As shown above, these white iPod touch screens could be installed onto the existing fourth-generation iPod touches.

This news would conflict with ambitious reports of 3G-enabled iPod touches this year, and also extinguish speculation that the tapered iPhone 5 case design might actually have represented the fifth-generation iPod touch.

The new models are expected to be announced alongside the iPhone in the first week of October with availability in the middle of the month. The iPod nano is also expected to get a minor revision at the same time.

Other reports have pinpointed dates in the first or second week of October for the actual announcement date. We've heard similar whispers, but suspect the date has been a moving target. Finally, we have also heard independently that the Golden Master of iOS 5 is targeted for September 23rd, lining up with the iCloud data reset.

Intel offers another bit of hope in our ongoing quest for ultra-high resolution retina displays. The graphics capabilities of their upcoming Ivy Bridge processors will provide support for 4096x4096 pixel displays.

VR-Zone notes that Intel revealed last week that they will be able to support 4K resolutions and process video at that resolution:

Not only can the MFX engine display up to 4096 x 4096 pixels on a single monitor, but it can also handle video processing for 4K QuadHD video as well. Remember when, two years ago, Jen Hsun Huang at Nvidia for the first time encouraged 4K resolution - at that time 3840x2400 or as he called it XHD2, for ultra realistic gaming too, to use the extra pixels to justify the high end card need? Now, what a fate, Intel is making it real on the - integrated graphics platform, of all. Now, can we have back those 16:10 3840x2400 or, better, 4096x2560 monitors?

Ivy Bridge is Intel's next generation processor that also integrates a much improved graphics processing unit (GPU). Generally, high end computers aren't constrained by the capabilities of the integrated graphics processor. MacBook Pros and iMacs tend to integrate more powerful 3rd party GPUs. Slimmer models, however, such as the MacBook Air and Mac mini are dependent on the integrated graphics that Intel provides. So the 2012-era MacBook Airs should be able to support these ultra high resolutions that we've been dreaming about.

OS X Lion has built in support for such displays and it seems Microsoft is also preparing for them.

Earlier today, we noted that a new leaked photo appearing to be a partially-assembled next-generation iPhone seemed to be showing an "iPhone 4S" design running on an A5 system-on-a-chip.

MacPost now shares a photo of the other side of the partial device, revealing that it is indeed an iPhone 4-like design. The new photo even shows the iPhone 4S turned on in its partially assembled state, requesting connection to iTunes for activation.

The new photo also clarifies the battery situation, revealing it to still be a 3.7 V, 5.3 Whr battery delivering 1430 mAh of charge, compared to the slightly lower-capacity 1420 mAh battery found in the iPhone 4. The 4.2 V figure spotted on the original photo posted earlier today was from the backside of the battery and appears to have been referring to the maximum charge voltage, as opposed to the 3.7 V nominal voltage under load.

Apple has also been rumored to be introducing a substantially redesigned iPhone 5 alongside this iPhone 4S, although there has been little concrete evidence of such a device showing up in parts leaks or supply chain channel checks. Third-party cases for the rumored iPhone 5 appear to show a substantially larger but thinner design than found in the iPhone 4.

Update: High resolution version of photo from Pandaxtech which appears to be the source for the images.

Even as the broader markets are down so far today, Apple's stock price is up a healthy 2.4% over Friday's close, pushing the stock price to an all-time high of over $410 per share. The jump has pushed Apple's market capitalization to $380 billion, giving the company an approximately $25 billion cushion over second-place Exxon Mobil in the rankings of most valuable companies.

Apple's recent stock performance is evidence of the faith the markets have in Apple even as Tim Cook has officially replaced Steve Jobs as CEO. Apple's stock price initially dropped 5% in after-hours trading following Jobs' resignation but rebounded during regular trading the next day to close down only a fraction of a percentage point. Since that time nearly four weeks ago, Apple's stock is up 15% and is now higher than it had ever been under Jobs.

Update: After touching $413.23 late in the trading day, Apple's stock closed at $411.63 per share today.

The debate over just what Apple will be introducing for its revamped iPhone lineup over the coming weeks is continuing to rage, and J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz has weighed in claiming that the company will indeed be introducing two models: a redesigned iPhone 5 and a cheaper "iPhone 4-plus" focused on the Chinese market but also available elsewhere.

J.P.Morgan’s research suggests the iPhone 5 will be based on a lighter, thinner form factor that is GSM and CDMA capable. In other words, a “world-mode” smartphone, but not LTE-capable. Mr. Moskowitz also expects the iPhone 5 will have a larger retina display [than] the iPhone 4′s 3.5 inch screen and include an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash.

The iPhone 4-plus device is anticipated to be based on the current iPhone and subsume the iPhone 3GS as the lower-end offering. Mr. Moskowitz thinks it could target one or more network carriers in China, but is unlikely to be exclusive to the region.

The only concrete evidence of a redesigned iPhone 5 has come in the form of third-party cases based on a claimed leaked design document for the device. Numerous parts for an iPhone 4-like "iPhone 4S" have surfaced over the past several months, leading some to wonder whether Apple will be releasing both models, and if not, which of the two will be the iPhone 5.

Fueling the uncertainty is that fact that some analysts have seen no sign of a redesigned iPhone 5 in Apple's supply chain, while other sources including Moskowitz maintain that Apple will indeed be launching two separate models.

Late last month, we reported on photos of what appeared to be the logic board for the iPhone 4S or 5, showing a form factor for the board more similar in appearance to the CDMA iPhone 4 than the GSM iPhone 4, as well as space for Apple's rectangular A5 system-on-a-chip.

phoneArena.com now points to a new image that has surfaced on Chinese microblogging site Weibo appearing to show that same logic board with all chips in place and at least partially assembled. A connection to what appears to be a white iPhone 4-like front panel/LCD display is visible, as are a battery and several other flex cables from the device.

The image clearly shows an A5 chip, which is of course expected for the iPhone 5. There has been some debate, however, about whether Apple will be introducing an iPhone 4-like model that has been unofficially dubbed the iPhone 4S, a redesigned iPhone 5, or both. If Apple does indeed release both an iPhone 4S and an iPhone 5, an A5 chip in the lower-level iPhone 4S would be a significant inclusion given that Apple has typically chosen to offer versions of its previous-generation models and technologies as its entry-level devices.

The battery included in the leaked photo is also generating some conversation, as it appears to be the same model number is seen in previous photos, but carries slightly different specs. Earlier photos had shown the battery offering 3.7 V and 5.3 Whr, for a charge capacity of about 1430 mAh. For comparison, the current iPhone 4 battery checks in at 3.7 V and 5.25 Whr, offering 1420 mAh of charge.

This new photo appears to have the charge of 1430 mAh stamped directly on it, but curiously seems to list the voltage at 4.2 V. It is unclear exactly why the battery seems to be reporting a different voltage, and thus a different energy close to 6 Whr to reach the same 1430 mAh charge seen in earlier photos of the same part.

As if a grand opening for Apple's first Hong Kong store this Saturday wasn't enough, the company has also announced that it will be opening its massive new Nanjing East store in Shanghai on Friday.

We noted last week that Apple had added its "curtain opening" promotional signage to the barrier surrounding store, suggesting that a launch was imminent.

First revealed back in February, the store will be Apple's third in Shanghai and fifth overall in China, and will be the largest Apple retail store in the country. The Nanjing East store will span five levels: a ground floor dedicated to sales, a second floor dedicated to support and training, and three additional floors devoted to business customers and office space for Apple's Chinese operations.

Shanghai is already home to one iconic Apple store, the Pudong store with its cylindrical glass entrance leading to a below-ground store underneath a central plaza at the city's International Finance Center. Apple has cited the entry's glass panels as the largest such curved glass panels in the world and the result of key technological advancements that the company is using in other projects such as the revamp of its Fifth Avenue cube in Manhattan and its planned second corporate campus in Cupertino, California.

(Thanks Tock!)

Apple today launched new online stores for four new countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates.

The new online stores are advertised prominently on the respective country-specific main Apple pages, which display welcome messages on top of confetti in each country's national colors.

The new stores allow users to purchase directly from Apple, offering standard Apple pricing for the markets and integration with Apple sales and support services. With the four new stores, Apple now offers online stores for 37 countries, with several of those countries seeing their stores offered in multiple languages.

(Thanks Martas!)

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Apple was planning to open its first retail store in Hong Kong by the end of this year, targeting a 15,000 square foot space in the IFC Mall. We soon put together details on the location, which is on the far eastern edge of the mall and spans two levels while displacing ten other retail stores that formerly occupied the space.

Details on the massive new store have continued to surface as Apple has built out the space over the past six months, with a report earlier this month claiming that Apple was planning for a September 24th opening for the store.

That opening date has now been confirmed, as evidenced by a small new sign placed on a stand in front of an entrance to the store. The sign confirms that the store will open this Saturday, September 24th, at 9:00 AM.

The company has also rolled out a new Hong Kong retail page with a dedicated store page already up and running.

Few details on the interior design of the store are known, but it is clear that the location will be a significant new flagship for Apple in one of the world's leading financial centers. Its location in the high-profile IFC Mall at the foot of one of the tallest office buildings in the world offers Apple a unique opportunity to expand its presence in a relatively small but important portion of its "Greater China" market that has seen explosive growth over the past several years.

(Thanks Stig!)

Apple has yet to announce the iPhone 5, but Samsung is apparently already making plans to target it with patent lawsuits as the intellectual property dispute between the two companies continues to escalate. Word of Samsung's plans comes from a "senior executive" at the company and was reported to The Korea Times.

"Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here, Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung's wireless technology related patents," said a senior executive from Samsung Electronics, asking not to be identified.

"For as long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents. We will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights."

Samsung is stepping up its attacks on Apple's products after courts in several countries have issued injunctions barring Samsung from selling its Galaxy Tab devices in those markets following complaints of intellectual property infringement from Apple.

Samsung is unable to make any preemptive strikes against the iPhone 5 because Apple has yet to reveal any details on the device, meaning that Samsung has no product against which to lodge infringement claims at this time. But Samsung is clearly preparing its case based on patents it owns related to basic wireless technology, which the iPhone 5 will no doubt be using. Once the device is introduced, Samsung will be free to make its infringement claims against Apple and the iPhone 5.

The report from The Korea Times also briefly cites unspecified "officials" who claim that the iPhone 5 will include near-field communication (NFC) technology. Reports thus far have been uncertain about whether such technology would appear in the iPhone 5 or be held for the iPhone 6, but general consensus has been leaning toward NFC not being included in the iPhone 5.

Apple is planning to reset all iCloud backup data on September 22nd, 2011. As noted by 9to5Mac, the announcement was posted to Apple's developer site for both iOS and Mac developers:

On Thursday, September 22, the iCloud Backup data will be reset. Backing up to iCloud or restoring from an iCloud backup will be unavailable from 9 AM PDT – 5 PM PDT. If you attempt a backup or restore during this time, you will receive an alert that the backup or restore was not successful. After this reset, you will be unable to restore from any backup created prior to September 22. A full backup will happen automatically the next time your device backs up to iCloud.

Apple's iOS 5 has been undergoing developer testing since its announcement back in June. Developers have been able to test iCloud for backups and storage during the developer betas.

Apple has provided 7 betas to developers thus far, and had been previously rumored to be offering the Golden Master (final version before release) on September 23rd. That same rumor had also incorrectly pinpointed a Beta 8 release a few days ago, but the 23rd date seems to line up nicely with this iCloud backup reset.

Apple had said that iOS 5 would launch "this fall" which technically begins on September 23rd.

Apple is picking up the pace of OS X 10.7.2 developer seeds as it moves toward a public launch of iCloud and iOS 5, today pushing out Build 11C57 to developers for testing.

As with the previous seed, which came just five days ago, the iCloud components have been rolled into OS X 10.7.2. iCloud has previously been a separate download for beta testers.

Apple continues to list no known issues with the latest build, and has made no changes to its list of focus areas for testing, which include AddressBook, GraphicsDrivers, iCal, iChat, iCloud, Mac App Store, Mail, MobileMe, Safari, Spotlight, and Time Machine.