Today’s mobile news roundup features word of Apple’s next gen iPhone already being in production, Symantec’s update across its entire mobile portfolio, and the new Twonky Beam button now available for download.

Apple iPhone 5 in production

The Wall Street Journal reports that the iPhone 5 is already in mass production.  Apple commissioned Japanese liquid-crystal-display makers Sharp Corp. and Japan Display Inc.—a new company that combined three Japanese electronics makers’ display units—as well as South Korea’s LG Display Co., in mass producing the in-cell touch panels, which provides the touch functionality of the screen without adding another pane of glass, essentially making the iPhone’s screen slimmer.

This new iPhone screen would directly compete with Samsung’s organic light-emitting display (OLED) screen, which makes their screens thinner than Apple’s iPhones.  There’s a possibility that the next iPhone would be thinner than previous versions.

The thing is, in-cell panels are harder to manufacture than LCD panels.  So the manufacturers are scrambling to make ends meet, or at least make Apple’s deadline.

In other Apple news, the iPhone maker is finding it difficult to contain the in-app hacker issue it is now facing.  When Russian developer/hacker Alexey Borodin infiltrated Apple’s in-app purchase program, Apple was quick to take action: they blocked the IP used by the hacker, issued a takedown request on the hacker’s web server, contacted PayPal to prevent users from making donations that keep the service running, and served up a copyright claim against the hacker’s video.  But all of that wasn’t enough to stop Borodin – he just switched to another server in another country, is now taking donations via BitCoin, and demands that Apple fix the problem by either changing its APIs or placing new blocks on its service.  Borodin wants Apple to get in touch with him and stated that he would continue messing with the Cupertino company until they do.

Symantec updates mobile portfolio

Symantec is getting tougher in their security offerings as they release updates for their mobile portfolio to ensure that mobile devices used for work can be trusted contain office documents.  The updates now offer the most comprehensive enterprise-grade platform with enhanced capabilities in device management, application management and threat protection.

“As part of the next stage of their BYOD initiatives, companies worldwide are telling us that they’re looking to increase their adoption of Android devices. We are bringing together a comprehensive set of security and management solutions for this leading platform,” said Anil Chakravarthy, senior vice president, Enterprise Security Group, Symantec.

“With the recent additions to our portfolio of mobile device management and application/data management products, Symantec is providing a complete platform to enable CIOs to achieve their mobile vision. I am thrilled that so many of our customers worldwide are validating our strategy and portfolio.”

Beam content from mobile device to smart TV with Twonky

PacketVideo announced that through a partnership with video websites such as Bedrocket, Toon Goggles and U-NEXT’s, users can beam what they watching on their mobile device to internet connected TVs via the Twonky Beam button embedded on the websites.

Users can now download the Twonky Beam app from iTunes or Google Play.

“Our goal in creating the Twonky Beam button is to make it easy for media sites to get their content onto the big screen by using tablets, phones and PCs. We made sure media sites maintain full control over their user experience, while easily creating the ability to integrate our beaming technology,” said Osama Al-Shaykh, CTO of PacketVideo.

“Twonky Beam button is a Web button that allows media sites to expand their reach to home devices and provide a more interesting interactive experience to their users. With Beam Button you are able to play media on the big screen and interact with your site visitor via the tablet or smartphone. Let the multi-screen user experience innovations begin!”