Apple’s iPhone 6 is finally here. The company’s CEO Tim Cook unveiled the phones at Apple’s Special Event which took place during the twilight hours in Taiwan on Sept. 10, 2014 (Taipei time). Some of the rumors about the iPhone 6 specs proved true, such as the phones coming in two different sizes. The smaller 4.7-inch phone has been coined iPhone 6 by the Cupertino company, while the larger 5.5-inch has been named the iPhone 6 Plus.

With the IFA coming up in Germany, many LED manufacturers have announced plans of introducing new products at the show. Epistar and FOREPI concluded shareholder meetings successfully, but no details about future business or management deals have surfaced yet. A couple of interesting applications have developed in the LED industry this week, U.S. navy ships are a niche market that holds huge potential for manufacturers that acquire tenders. Intel’s new luxury smart watch MICA will come equipped with sapphire screen, while Japanese researchers are now using LED lighting system to prevent illegal recordings with smart devices. 

Loyal Apple fans have probably started the countdown to Sept. 9, 2014, when the company will be unveiling the much anticipated iPhone 6 at Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, California, U.S. Staying true to its secretive nature, the company’s press conference invitation uses the catchy phrase “Wish we could say more.” With less than one week left on the clock, many in the industry believe Apple will be showcasing the iPhone 6, 12.9-inch iPads and iWatches at the event. 

The Cross-Strait LED industry cooperation seminar took place at Dayeh University in Changhua County, Taiwan on Sept. 4, 2014. Industry experts and academia from China and Taiwan attended the seminar.

Lextar Electronics set another new revenue record last month, after three consecutive months of growth drove up revenue by 14.7 percent YoY to NT $1.42 billion (US $50 million), according to a UDN report. On a monthly basis, the company’s growth in August was only up 0.3 percent compared to July 2014.

A research team from Ritsumeikan University in Japan has developed a LED lighting system that can prevent unauthorized video recordings via mobile devices in public spaces.

India’s Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has called off a LED streetlight plan approved 19 months ago, according to a report by The Times of India.

Veeco Instruments introduced today the new TurboDisc® EPIK700™ Gallium Nitride (GaN) Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) system that combines the industry’s highest productivity and best-in-class yields with low cost of operation, further enabling lower manufacturing costs for light emitting diodes (LEDs) for general lighting applications.

As LED’s penetration in the lighting industry increases, it is clear that enabling slimmer fixtures is an important area of market differentiation, an area where Samsung Lens-attached LED modules deliver the most efficient, homogeneous design solutions in LED lighting. It is now mass-producing a value-added line-up of highly efficient LAM, for use in office LED lighting applications that include linear and line lighting, cove lighting and troffers.

Acuity Brands introduces Winona FORMS LED architectural solutions from Winona® Lighting. New traditional, transitional and contemporary styles are offered in a variety of complementary architectural shapes across the brand's pendant, ceiling-mount and wall sconce portfolio.

Access Fixtures demonstrated the durability of vandal-resistant LED wall packs in the second installment of the “Will It Light?” video series. In the new video, Access Fixtures team members dropped a Toro lawn mower on top of a vandal-resistant wall pack with LG LED Modules. The wall pack suffered minimal damage and still lights, which proves the durability of the wall pack’s aluminum housing. The video can be found on the Access Fixtures blog.

Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting, has launched three of Kazakhstan’s most famous architectural landmarks into the global limelight, using connected LED lighting to illuminate the Astana iconic Baiterek Monument and its famous Tulpar and Maral bridges. Connected LED lighting from Philips Color Kinetics perfectly shows off the architectural details of these major sights in the Kazakh capital while slashing energy consumption by 85 percent compared to the previous lighting system.

GlacialPower, a division of Taiwanese technology manufacturer GlacialTech, today announces the newest addition to its DALI product lineup -- the GP-DP004N-16V. A DALI power supply outputting 200mA, the GP-DP004N is enough for a full 64 device DALI network. Compatible with DALI standard IEC62386, the GP-DP004N-16V takes universal AC input from 100V to 240V to provide constant voltage at 16V. With over-current and short-circuit protection, users are ensured safe power.

Sengled, a leading LED manufacturer from China introduces its extension of innovative Smart lighting products for consumers in the USA and Europe, with the new Pulse 7.1 LED + Wireless Audio System bulb (1 Master bulb can support up to 7 Satellite bulbs) and the Boost LED + Wi-Fi repeater bulb at IFA 2014. Earlier this year, Sengled launched its Pulse LED + Wireless Audio System starter kit 2.0 (1 Master bulb and 1 Satellite bulb) in the USA and Europe.

EarthTron, an unlimited franchised distributor, announced today their global partnership with Veritas Light. Veritas manufactures intelligent lighting systems which are designed to enable full synchronization and control between the lights and the video systems.

Taiwan’s LED industry godfather Everlight Chairman Robert Yeh upheld a positive outlook on the industry developments, according to an Economic Daily News report.

Chinese sapphire substrate manufacturer Biel Crystal, which has long kept a low profile, recently responded to market rumors about Lens Technology being a major smartphone screen supplier for Apple and Samsung, according to a Shenzhen Commercial report.

Chinese LED manufacturer Changelight announced plans of issuing 6.07 million stocks to raise a total of RMB 800 million (US $130.39 million) financing to expand production of InGaN LED EPI-wafers on Sept. 3, 2014.

The LED industry in Guangdong Province, China showed the most growth out of eight emerging industries in 2013, according to a Securities Times report.

Intel has jumped aboard the wearable device bandwagon with the launch of a luxury jeweled smart bracelet. "My Intelligent Communication Accessory," or known as MICA will be equipped with a curved sapphire glass display, as well as with semi-precious stones, pearls, and even wet snake skin. The company has not released the features or the pricing of the bracelet, but the launch date is expected to take place during the upcoming holiday season in 2014. For further details please see Intel’s press release below:

A research team from Osaka City University in Japan have succeeded in treating skin ulcers caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and LED lights, according to a Nikkei Technology report.

In an industry first, TCL today introduced a 55-inch full-gamut 4K UHD TV with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price at one-third the cost of comparable OLED color televisions. All consumers of entertainment, whether for gaming, movies or other programming, can now enhance their viewing experience with deeper, sharper and more natural color at an accessible price.

With over 40 years as a leader in the industrial and commercial lighting industry, Larson Electronics continues its commitment to providing high-grade lighting equipment to specialty markets with the release of a 300 watt LED security spotlight tower.

A total of 11 LED lighting and controls solutions from Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) were selected for the 2014 Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Progress Report, which showcases the year's most significant developments in the art and science of lighting. Among the products selected were indoor and outdoor LED luminaires and advanced lighting controls that can be integrated to create a total lighting solution - ideal for reducing energy and maintenance costs - that delivers the finest quality of lighting tailored for a variety of facility needs.    

The residential LED lighting market will grow at a 30% clip from 2014-2016, according to LEDinside, a subsidiary of the Taiwan-based market intelligence firm TrendForce.

Bitter conflicts between NVC Lighting former CEO Wu Changjiang and current CEO Wang Donglei might have come to an end, but another battle front has begun in the Chinese LED industry, according to a report from Chinese-language Yangcheng Evening News Digital Media.

The importance of easy off-the-shelf availability, proven quality and validated technical ability grows every day for lighting parts like reflectors and lenses, LED drivers and LED coolers.

Imported copies of the Chamaeleon LED light have been removed from the Australian market following a successful prosecution by enLighten Australia, owners of the Chamaeleon LED light's Australian Innovation Patent. 

French lighting designer Henri Burszstyn will be releasing five new luminaire designs at the upcoming Maison & Objet fair in Paris, according to an AFP report.

Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting, introduces Philips Hue Beyond, a breakthrough lamp with two  connected light sources that work together at the same time. This means it is possible to have high quality tunable white light needed for everyday functional tasks at home, whilst also changing the mood of the room using colorful light to enhance the space.