Are iPhones no longer the apple of consumers’ eyes?

In a report from C Technology, the site that leaked photos of the latest new batch of iPhones before they were officially unveiled by Apple, it stated that the production of the lower-cost iPhone 5c has been halved, from 300,000 units a day down to just 150,000 units a day.

The suggestion is that the iPhone 5c’s price tag might be responsible for the production decline as its costs only $100 less than the iPhone 5s and comes with a somewhat disagreeable plastic casing. Meanwhile, all of the new features are strictly from iOS 7, and not the device itself, hence interest in the device hasn’t been as big as Apple had hoped.

In China the official price of the iPhone 5c is 4,448 Yuan, or $726, which is fairly expensive considering the plastic case is the only thing that differentiates it from the original iPhone 5. But because of grey markets in that country, it’s actually possible to buy the device for around 3,000 to 3,300 Yuan, or $489-539, in most places, while other reports suggest that the phones can be had for as little as 2,600 Yuan, or just $424.

Because it’s only a little more expensive, most consumers seem to want to purchase the iPhone 5s. Not only does it come with all the latest features of iOS 7, it also has that beautiful new gold color scheme and of course Apple’s Touch ID. However, supplies for the fingerprint sensors are low, thus production of Apple’s flagship device has been limited.

Still, the halving of the iPhone 5c’s daily production might not mean people are losing interest with iPhones. It could simply mean that Apple already has enough stocks in store, as the company ramped up production and delivery even before the devices were unveiled.

In other Apple news, the Cupertino company continues to hammer nails in BlackBerry’s coffin.

Before Apple released the first iPhone, BlackBerrys were the most in demand phones, especially among the enterprise.  With the launch of the iPhone and later, Android, consumers embraced touchscreen devices as the smartphone of the future and abandoned BlackBerry in their droves.

Now, Apple is looking to hire BlackBerry’s workforce.

Days after BlackBerry announced that it will be laying off 40 percent of its workforce, Apple set up a recruitment drive just 20 kilometres away from the company’s headquarters, at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre in Cambridge, Ontario.

Apple event went as far as sending invites to some former BlackBerry employees.

“Most positions will be based in Cupertino, CA.,” explained a LinkedIn invite sent to certain BlackBerry employees and obtained by the Financial Post.

“Relocation and immigration assistance will be provided for candidates that are hired, as needed.”