Apple Weekly News Roundup: Flexible iPhone Patent, iPad Pro Rumors and More

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) last week announced record breaking sales for the App Store. The first week of the new year set a new sales record with over half a billion dollars in app and in-app purchases, and New Year's Day was the biggest day in the App Store's history. Apple also reported that app sales were up 50% in 2014 and generated $10 billion for developers - 40% of the $25 billion total since the App Store opened in 2008.

Apple's developer page reported last week that iOS 8 is now on 68% of all registered Apple devices.

Supply for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has finally caught up with demand, at least in the U.S. According to AppleInsider, there is no longer a backlog and spot checks have shown that most models are available for immediate in-store pick up. The Apple Store also began selling SIM-free unlocked iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models last week.

A photo of a purported iPad Pro mold showed up last week on a Czech Apple blog. Several days earlier a 3-D rendering of an alleged iPad Pro surfaced. It is widely expected that Apple will launch a larger, 12.2" - 12.9", iPad Pro (some say iPad Plus) at some point in 2015.

The most recent intelligence on the Apple Watch release date, from 9to5Mac, suggests it will launch some time in March. There will supposedly be training sessions for Apple employees between February 9th and 16th.

Several HomeKit compatible devices were showcased at last week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. AppleInsider highlighted a few, including a keyless home locking system and two different hubs for switch, outlet and thermostat control. 2015 will likely see a plethora of devices and apps for both HomeKit and HealthKit, both of which are off to slow starts.

Apple was awarded a patent last week for "flexible electronic devices." Perhaps we will see a flexible iPhone at some point, but not likely in its next incarnation, or even in the one following that. The patent mentions flexible housing, flexible batteries, flexible printed circuits and other flexible components.