Retina display

It looks like the iPad mini 2 shortage rumors may be true. Reuters reported today that "Apple Inc will be unable to widely roll out a new version of the iPad Mini with a high-resolution 'retina' display this month." Supply chain sources have confirmed that the company has just started making Retina displays for the next-generation iPad mini. If true, this means the iPad mini 2 will only be available in limited quantities or not at all during the holidays.

There have been previous rumors that Apple will release an updated iPad mini without Retina display later this month, but it is unlikely.

"If they don't put in retina ... there will be howls," said Frank Gillett, an analyst with Forrester.

Apple may not be releasing the iPad Mini with the Retina display right away, according to a report they gave earlier this week. Instead, a slimmer version may be released first, supposedly in the second half of this year.

This next-generation slimmer iPad Mini will be receiving an upgraded processor. The current A5 processor will be replaced with the A6, as the iPad Mini with the retina display was forecasted to have. The disappointment that Apple fans will face is that, like the current generation, the new device will contain a 1,024x768 display.

Looking to pick up an iPad mini 2 with Retina display during the holiday shopping season? This might not be possible according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities. Production issues are to blame for the delay in a report acquired by AppleInsider detailing the issue. Manufacturing a large volume of 7.9-inch displays with high pixel density is proving to be a challenge.

An iPad mini 2 Retina display is expected to feature 2048 x 1536 pixels, resulting in a density of 324 pixels per inch. Should the delays persist, Apple will likely commence mass production starting in October, which could push the release date forward into early 2014. Kuo is described by AppleInsider as "well-connected" since the analyst has offered accurate predictions on many things Apple in the past.

Display manufacturer AU Optronics has caught up with iPad mini yields, and is working on Apple's next-generation 7.9-inch tablet, according to the DigiTimes. The original iPad mini has been in short supply since its release, but Apple has recently updated its online store listing as "in stock".

Industry sources also said AOU is working on new displays for the iPad mini 2. The second generation tablet is rumored to be receiving Retina display, which could increase the price. It is estimated that the new displays will raise production costs by 30%. If true, Apple could pass the extra costs onto customers.

Holding out for a Retina display iPad mini? According to supply chain sources in China, you could be waiting until next year. With the smaller iPad model just arriving this month, a report from SlashGear points to an annual refresh schedule for the smaller tablet.

The good news is that Apple is already working with suppliers to secure mass-produced 2048 x 1536 resolution 7.9-inch displays for the next generation iPad mini. These Retina-caliber displays clock 324 pixels per inch, and would be featured on the iPad mini 2 coming in fall 2013.

Hulu announced its new slate of summer programing adding ten new Hulu Original Series and Hulu Exclusives. Hulu's new series Spoilers kicks off on June 4th. The multi-act show is hosted by Kevin Smith, and features animation, reenactments, interviews and discussion about the summer's biggest films. Richard Linklater’s Up to Speed is a travel series starring Speed Levitch, and We Got Next is an "offensive bro-mantic comedy" geared towards It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fans.

iPad owners will be able to watch all of Hulu's new shows with a "re-engineered, optimized video player" and Retina display support. Hulu version 2.5, available now, also features improved AirPlay mirroring, and HDMI video out.

Hulu's new summer lineup will be available on both the free Hulu and paid Hulu Plus services.

Spotify has been converted into a universal app making the popular iPhone music platform available to iPad owners for the first time. Version 0.5.0 gives both iPhone and iPad users access to millions of tracks from thousands of albums. Changes include Retina display graphics, an even easier to browse catalogue, new high-definition cover art, trending playlists and grouped by user searches.

Spotify is free to download from the App Store with the option to upgrade to a Spotify Premium account. Non-premium users can test out the service for 48-hours completely free. Read on for a complete list of changes.

It only took a month but Facebook has finally released Version 4.1.1 of their iPad app. The update brings Retina display graphics for the new iPad, a few new features and a few bug fixes. You should've already received an update notification if you already have the Facebook application installed. If not check the Updates section by clicking your Applications icon.

This update also applies to the iPhone. The Facebook application is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. It requires iOS 4.0 or later.

App developer FiftyThree has released a new drawing app for the iPad. Paper is a free app that allows you to sketch, draw and keep notes by using a variety of tools. The custom ink engine reacts to movements allowing you to achieve great handwriting, beautiful coloring, and sketching. You can also share your creations on the web by easily uploading them to Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter. .

There are $2 in-app purchases for additional tools and brushes. Read on for Paper's official description and trailer. Paper is compatible with the iPad and requires iOS 4.3 or later.

As with every mass produced product that hits the market, every once in a while something goes wrong. Apple is no stranger to screen issues over the years, with some units of the original iPad suffering from backlight leaks and the iPhone 4 shipping with discoloration due to wet glue. Now that the third generation iPad has shipped, some users are reporting a overly yellow hue on their tablets.

Side-by-side comparisons of the iPad Retina display have revealed a slightly warmer tone in the higher resolution display. Most have commented that the Retina display is an incredible improvement that must be seen to be believed. Not only this, but the higher resolution is said to reduce eye strain when compared to its predecessor.