No Plans From Netflix to Develop a Blackberry 10 App

As BlackBerry prepares to roll out the Z10 in the US, there may be a notable app missing: Netflix. Before the launch of BlackBerry 10, the company said that it was "in talks" with both Netflix and Instagram for apps. Instagram, however, has reportedly decided to wait before making a native app, and now talks with Netflix seem to have stalled as well. "We have no current plans for a BlackBerry app," a Netflix spokesperson told AllThingsD.

BlackBerry touted 70,000 "launch apps" for its new operating system, including Skype, Rdio, and a number of mobile games. Some of its most high-profile apps, however, aren't being made by the original developers: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are all from BlackBerry and third parties. On phones, Netflix isn't as vital as a social network like Instagram, and it could end up on the platform later. Right now, though, it's another reminder of what Android, iOS, or Windows Phone users will be giving up if they switch. [TheVerge]

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Sharp Slows Down 9.7" iPad Screen Manufacturing

Sharp Corp, a supplier of screens for Apple’s iPad tablet, has slowed production of the 9.7 inch panes used for the full-sized iPads, according to a report by Reuters.

The news agency quotes industry sources with knowledge of Sharp’s production plans, who told it that Sharp’s iPad screen production line at its Kameyama plant in central Japan has “fallen to the minimal level to keep the line running this month after a gradual slowdown began at the end of 2012 as Apple manages its inventory”.

A Sharp spokeswoman declined to comment on the story, telling Reuters: “We don’t disclose production levels.” Apple also declined to comment.

It’s unclear whether the slowdown is due to seasonal changes in demand — or consumers opting for the cheaper and smaller iPad mini instead. Apple launched the iPad mini in November. The tablet has a 7.9 inch display, and retails from $329. Apple has not broken out iPad mini sales — but shortly after launching the small slate it said it had sold three million iPad minis and 4th generation (full size) iPads in three days.

In addition to Sharp, Reuters notes that Apple buys iPad screens from LG Display — its biggest supplier — and Samsung Display. A source at Samsung Display told it there had not been any significant change in its panel business with Apple. A person familiar with the situation at LG Display told Reuters that iPad screen production in the current quarter had fallen from the previous quarter ending in December — but said it was mainly due to typical weak seasonal in the post-holiday period.

Apple is due to report its Q1 2013 fiscal results on January 23. [TechCrunch]

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LG Comments on Nexus 4 Supply Issues

LG claims that there are no supply issues with its Nexus 4 handset, according to a company representative who spoke to Korean news outlet Chosun Ilbo. The Korean-to-English translated text mentions that the Pyeongtaek manufacturing plant has been producing the Nexus 4 "without a hitch." The source added, "There is no problem in supplying."

Launched in October, the high-profile and low-priced device has hit quite a few snags getting to consumer's doorsteps. Last month, Google's United Kingdom and Ireland Managing Director Dan Cobley apologised for the shortage on his Google+ profile, stating that that reason for the shipment delay had to do with "scarce and erratic" supply and that the communication between Google and LG had "been flawed."

Though the Nexus 4 is essentially the same phone as the LG Optimus G in a different package, the Optimus G hasn't had any known supply chain issues. Perhaps that's because the Nexus 4's biggest appeal is the fact that, in addition to a quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor and a 4.8-inch HD screen, it features the latest iteration of Google's mobile operating system, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Google is selling it for $299, or $349 without a contract, and the phone can be used globally. [ARSTechnica]

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