Knockoffs of Apple's Lightning connector may be on their way

Knockoffs of Apple's Lightning connector may be on their way
Apple has retained strict control over Lightning connector accessories, but some companies have reportedly cracked the authorization chips required to make generic versions of the adapter. Apple last month revealed the iPhone 5 uses a new cable, dubbed Lightning, that replaces the 30-pin connector Apple has used since 2003. Since introducing the new connector, Apple has limited which companies can make accessories for the new Lightning interface, and it reportedly hasn't yet approved any new facilities to build the device. Apple reportedly installed an authorization chip in its adapters. But MacRumors is reporting that companies are making cracked chips that bypass Apple's authentication functions. One Lightning connector maker, iPhone5mod, told the site it's currently using original chips from Apple's supplier, but cracked chips it has obtained are working just as well as the original chips. That means we may soon see a big bump in unauthorized Lightning accessories. We reached out to Apple for comment and will update if we receive any information.

Kindle Fire, Nook driving 7-inch display demand

Kindle Fire, Nook driving 7-inch display demand
Strong demand for the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet is boosting demand for 7-inch displays above the more traditional 9.7-inch tablet display size, according to an Asia-based report. Shipments of 7-inch display panels in November grew about 17 percent month on month, surpassing shipments of 9.7-inch displays, according to a report in Taipei-based Digitimes. Amazon said earlier this month that the Kindle Fire is its bestselling product and sales have been increasing week over week. Sales of at least several million are projected in the first month. Barnes & Noble, meanwhile, is expected to take delivery of well over a million Nook Tablets and Nook Colors combined in the fourth quarter. Part of the falloff in demand for the 9.7-inch panel is due to Apple.There was some letup in the purchase of displays for the current iPad as Apple gets ready to launch the next-generation iPad, according to Digitimes. Strong demand from Apple, however, should resume soon, according to the report. The new iPad is expected in the March-June time frame.

Justin Timberlake tops billing of iTunes Festival this year

Justin Timberlake tops billing of iTunes Festival this year
Apple will be beaming Justin Timberlake to your iPhone this fall, when he headlines more than 60 acts at this year's iTunes Festival in London. But you'll need to vie in local media competitions if you want a chance to see him bring "sexy back" in person for free. Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)The 404 Podcast 498: Where Jeff battles the TriadBuzz Out Loud Podcast 1145: China to Google: Suck itNutsie brings iTunes to Android via the cloudThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast) Other top performers include Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jack Johnson, and Jessie J.Every night in September, performances can be watched live or on-demand by iOS users around the world on the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, as well as on iTunes on computers or Apple TV. Tickets are free for winners of competitions run by local media partners. So in the U.K., for example, the iTunes Festival app, the iTunes Store, and groups like Channel 4, Global Radio, and Metro will be running contests to give tickets away. In the six years since Apple started streaming performances from its sponsored iTunes Festivals, Sir Paul McCartney and the late Amy Winehouse have been among those who have kicked off the inaugural festivities.