Morning Report: iPhone 5c on Chopping Block, iOS Search, HandBrake 0.10.0

With the extended Thanksgiving weekend upon us here in the U.S., it's time for one final Morning Report for the month of November. Our Wednesday edition includes details on the fate of iPhone 5c, as well as Google's coveted deal as the default iOS search engine, plus a swanky new version of HandBrake for Mac has hit the street with new encoders in tow. We'll be back on Monday, December 1 in time for Cyber Monday — see you then!

iPhone 5c Could Be Axed from Lineup Next Year

MacRumors today reported that Apple appears likely to wind down production of the iPhone 5c by the middle of next year, putting an end to the colorful iPhone 5 variant that received a mixed reception from users and critics alike. Currently available as a budget-priced 8GB model, the report claims Apple is likely to discontinue the device in favor of an all-Touch ID lineup in 2015.

Earlier this week, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also predicted the end of the iPhone 5c next year, as well as the iPhone 4S, which would put an end to Cupertino offering devices in the smaller display size altogether.

Yahoo, Microsoft Vying for Default iOS Search Engine Spot

Since the debut of the original iPhone in 2007, Google has been the default search engine for all iOS devices — but that could change in 2015. AppleInsider reported Tuesday that Apple's current search engine deal with Google is apparently up for renewal next year, which has both Yahoo and Microsoft salivating at the mere thought of becoming the default partner with iOS 9 and later.

According to The Information, both of Google's rivals have been in contact with Apple SVP Eddy Cue, whose decision is "likely to be based on the quality of the product as much as the potential money made from search ads."

Google already got kicked to the curb for Siri-based search with the release of iOS 7 last year, with Microsoft-owned Bing stepping up as the default option. iOS users can already change the default search engine for mobile Safari, which includes options for Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo.

HandBrake 0.10.0 Adds New Encoders, Filters

Although optical media may be on the decline, there's still a large contingent of movie and TV fans who prefer to buy DVDs or Blu-rays and rip them for personal viewing on mobile devices or media servers such as Plex. Those users will be happy to learn that open source video transcoder HandBrake released version 0.10.0 this week, with "hundreds of new features, changes, and bug fixes" in tow.

In addition to updating core x264 and libav libraries, HandBrake has added support for next-generation encoders Intel QuickSync, H.265, VP8, and LibFaac, as well as a new Denoise filter and OpenCL scaler for Windows users. The release also brings parity to the user interface across all supported platforms, along with an overhaul to default audio and subtitle settings. HandBrake 0.10.0 is a free download for Mac OS X, available now from the link above.

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