Displaying items by tag: Sharp

Many of the new smartphones launched recently are still using the relatively low resolution of 1280x720 or similar. However, Sharp is looking to set a new trend here. As devices these days get faster processors, more RAM, bigger internal storage, displays still remain below full HD, even though 1080p has been around quite a while. Sharp wants to make new displays that will have 1920x1080 resolution with 443ppi. If you compare this to the Samsung Galaxy III with 1280x720 @306ppi, or Iphone's 1136x640 @326ppi it is quite an upgrade.

Sharp, the Japanese manufacturer of TV's and display panels for many companies, including Apple, will have to cut their employee salaries up to 10% in order to save $180 million this fiscal year. The Salary cutting will start next month and it will be twice as big as the previous cut that happened in April. Earlier this year they lowered their management salaries by 5%, and now other employees are being targeted. Sharp also intends to cut the prices of their union workers by 7%, increasing the cut from a previous 2%, currently they are in negotiations with labor unions about it.

Although not surprising in the least, there are numerous articles expressing concern and shock at the fact that Sharp, a supplier of display panels to Apple, is having a rough time keeping its commitments. Wed talked about some of the moves Sharp has taken in the past few months to keep investors happy; including actually giving details on the production cycle dates. This is something that in the past (under Steve Jobs) would never have happened. Now with Cook at the reins things are different and many companies that are facing financial troubles are using their connection to Apple as a flag to either entice investors or to keep them.

Apple has a plan for the possibility that they might lose and lose badly in their war against Samsung.  This was something that they always knew was a possibility given the somewhat flimsy evidence they were throwing around and the way that the press caught on so quickly (and not just the pro Apple press). No, Apple knew that they needed to work hard to sever as many direct ties with Samsung and Google and the faster the better.

Apple used to have a reputation as a company with some of the most xenophobic security measures and also had the fewest product leaks. There were always predictions based on information that may or may not have come from some of Apple’s suppliers, but in many cases this information was less than accurate. However, since the death of Steve Jobs and the ascent of Tim Cook into the captain’s chair things have radically changed. Now we have almost daily leaks of information about products that have not been announced. Of course when you point this out you face the backlash from many hardcore Apple fans that will tell you this is all according to plan and nothing is wrong (move on folks).

We have written more than our share of articles showing the decline of Apple as a major player in the market. We would never go so far as to say that we are predicting the “death of Apple” like so many analysts do about the PC on a monthly basis. The market needs both Apple and Microsoft to thrive (and really both are “PCs”). What we are talking about is the massive popularity of Apple mobile products will continue to decline as their rivals begin to bring faster and more compelling technology to the market. Right now Apple’s biggest method of competition is the law suit which they wield around the globe to prevent competitors from releasing their designs (all in the name of protecting IP).