Analyst who cried sapphire takes another swing, despite whiffing on iPhone 6 predictions

Analyst who cried sapphire takes another swing, despite whiffing on iPhone 6 predictions: "Margolis's explanations come after months of claims that GT Advanced Technologies would be producing massive amounts of sapphire for Apple — enough to create display covers of the hardened material for iPhone 6 units to be sold this year. The analyst's confident predictions didn't pan out, though. In fact, none of Apple's iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus models feature sapphire screen covers. Apple has said this year's models feature 'ion-strengthened' glass."

Sapphire en route, delayed by storm.

Microsoft is buying Minecraft, according to rumor | GamesBeat | Games | by Jeff Grubb

Microsoft is buying Minecraft, according to rumor | GamesBeat | Games | by Jeff Grubb: "The publisher is in discussions to snatch up Minecraft developer Mojang for $2 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. We are working to verify the story, but we cannot confirm the rumor at this time — although WSJ has a history of getting these things correct. The report claims that the deal could go through as early as this week. If Microsoft does seal the deal, it will own an indie-gaming phenomenon. Minecraft has players building Lego-like structures with simple-looking 3D blocks, and it has caught on with players of all ages."

Microsoft knows a good thing. Unlike the worthless acquisitions that the valley seems to favor, I am still amazed that Google/Apple let them get Skype.

Apple's massive fall lineup reportedly causing shipping delays for other manufacturers

Apple's massive fall lineup reportedly causing shipping delays for other manufacturers: "Apple is reportedly securing dates for its upcoming fall shipments, expected to include new iPhone and iPad models, and the number of devices coming out of China is so large that major shipping companies are delaying orders from other device makers."

That's a lot of ship.

Meet The Young YouTubers Changing The Way British Media Stars Are Born

Meet The Young YouTubers Changing The Way British Media Stars Are Born: "The 24-year-old Zoe is the original star in the family. With 5.7 million subscribers, she has been billed by The Telegraph as ‘arguably the biggest star on the British YouTube scene’."

YouTube killed the TV star.

Someone assembled their own iPhone 6 using leaked parts (Video) | 9to5Mac

Someone assembled their own iPhone 6 using leaked parts (Video) | 9to5Mac: "Following photos that surfaced this morning showing much more subtle antenna breaks on the back of a supposed production model iPhone 6, a video of a device based on the upcoming flagship has surfaced thanks to Feld & Volk, an association of designers and engineers who create luxury custom versions of Apple’s most popular handsets. But what’s interesting about this device is that it seems to actually be built from working parts, and can be seen booting and asking the user to connect to iTunes."

Secrecy ain't what it used to be!

Apple announces Sept. 9 event for expected 'iPhone 6' & 'iWatch' unveiling: 'Wish we could say more'

Apple announces Sept. 9 event for expected 'iPhone 6' & 'iWatch' unveiling: 'Wish we could say more': "In a change from years past, Apple's 2014 September event will be held at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, Calif. Apple typically holds its annual iPhone event at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco, but this year's venue is closer to the company's corporate headquarters and can also accommodate three times as many people."

Yay!

9to5Google: Beyond Good and Evil

9to5Google: Beyond Good and Evil: "Included with the lemonade stand image and ‘don’t copy’ caption is another Schmidt line on originality and competition. ‘Playing catch-up with the competition will never help you get ahead by creating something new,’ Schmidt says. Google would be the ‘hard’ boozy lemonade to the competitions’ fresh lemonade. In the case of Google Plus, the booze could be the hangouts or perhaps the photo editing features or integration with other Google products."

Some fireside musings from the chief Googly guy.

Amazon buys Twitch for $970M, pushes into video streaming market

Amazon buys Twitch for $970M, pushes into video streaming market: "Twitch started life in 2011 as an offshoot of former live Internet broadcast site Justin.tv, itself cofounded by Shear in 2007, and was recently rumored to be in acquisition talks with Google and Yahoo. Over the past three years, Twitch has amassed a huge following that the company recently pegged at 55 million active users. "

This is cool but it's relatively easy for YouTube to add this functionality.

TSMC expected to begin 16nm volume production for Apple’s A9 chip in early 2015 | 9to5Mac

TSMC expected to begin 16nm volume production for Apple’s A9 chip in early 2015 | 9to5Mac: "next generation iPhone rumors, Apple watchers, as a report from Chinese publication Economic Daily News (via Digitimes) shares that TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, plans to ‘advance volume production on its 16nm process’ during the beginning of 2015 ‘with monthly output of 50,000 wafers’ to deliver Apple’s A9 system-on-a-chip."

It's only wafer-thin!