After reports of electrocution by possible faulty fake iPhone/iPad/iPod adapters, Apple will be offering a trade-in program to replace any USB adapter for $10 with a trade-in.
The program will officially start on August 16th in the United States and on August 9th in China. The offers will be available at official Apple Retail Stores and Authorized Apple Resellers.
During the second quarter of 2013, tablet sales slowed, reported IDC. IDC offers a few explanations.
World wide tablet sales were up almost 60% over last year, however the second quarter were down 10% lower than the first quarter. IDC believes that the market slowed because there was not a a new iPad released and Apple fans were waiting for the next iPad.
By the fourth quarter, IDC by expects new products from Apple, Amazon, and others to drive impressive growth in the market.
The latest stats from Gartner show a decline in PC shipments but overall increase in tablets, smartphones and ultramobiles.
The big movers will be tablets with shipments expected to grow 67.9 percent, with shipments reaching 202 million units in 2103.
Apple's iPhone and iPad products are usually deemed un-hackable because of defense mechanisms in the closed platform. However, hackers could get through another way, by a rogue charger. The device will be shown at the Black Hat Conference in late July in Las Vegas.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have found a way to get into Apple devices with sneaky, spy charger.
More rumors and predictions are circulating around the next generation iPhone 5S or iPhone 6, as well as the next fifth generation iPad.
An analyst suggested that because of market pressures, Apple may expand the size options of the iPhone to expand market share in two or three screen sizes. The release date may be in July. This follows other rumors that Apple wants to release something on the sixth anniversary of the iPhone, which would also make the number 6 more meaningful.