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Chinese clone-makers already have functional ‘iPhone 6’ knockoffs for sale

NowhereElse.fr has posted some pretty amusing pictures today of working iPhone 6 clones from China. These devices use the rumored specification and schematics of the actual iPhone 6 that we have seen so much over the last few months, but obviously use off-the-shelf internals and don’t run iOS.

Although unconfirmed what knockoff OS these devices are running, it is most likely a skinned version of Android with a custom launcher that imitates the appearance of iOS 7. The Google Play store is already full of iOS 7 Home Screen and app clones.

The real thing is expected to be announced by Apple in September, featuring larger 4.7 and 5.5 inch displays.

Supposed iPhone 6 back casing shown off in new video, including new dark black color

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In what will only continue the endless stream of iPhone 6 leaks, MacRumors brings attention to a couple of new photos and videos of the supposed iPhone 6 back. Interestingly, a new dark black piece has been seen for the first time, featuring a shade much darker than the current Space Gray iPhone 5s. Until today, only gray pieces have been spotted, which does make the legitimacy of the part somewhat questionable.

The post also highlights some new images and videos from Fed & Volk, who ostensibly possess mid-production units of the iPhone 6 rear. This case is the standard light gray variant, however, and matches the component leaks we have been seeing from other sources for many months now. See a video of the part after the break …


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Chinese media get specific on iPhone 6 battery capacity, appears that Apple ‘thinnovation’ will exact a toll

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Much as we may love our iPhones, battery-life has never been one of its strengths (ask Samsung). But if you were hoping that the larger size of the iPhone 6 would mean a much bigger battery, some Chinese media reports spotted by GforGames suggest that we might be disappointed.

The reports claim that the battery in the 4.7-inch model will be in the 1800-1900mAh range – only around 20 percent more than in the iPhone 5s. Factor in the increased power requirement of the larger screen and corresponding increase in resolution, and we might not see a significant boost increase in battery-life … 
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Video shows how 4.7-inch iPhone 6 screen will feel in the hand

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrM1u_gu49A]

We showed you photos a few days ago of what is claimed to be the display covers for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, which appeared to have slightly curved edges. Chinese site iFanr (via NWE) has now posted a video of the same part, giving a sense of how the larger phone will feel in the hand compared to the iPhone 5s … 
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These iPhone 6 renders show design details that physical mockups ignore [Gallery]

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For months, physical mockups, display components, front covers, and schematics for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6 have leaked on the web. However, the physical reconstructions and diagrams simply do not do the potential design of the redesigned smartphone justice. Based on recent reports and earlier part leaks, designer Mark Pelin has created a set of iPhone 6 design renders that might just be the clearest and nicest looking view of the potential phone. You can see the full image gallery below from Pelin:


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First comparison photos of black and white 4.7-inch iPhone 6 screen glass [Gallery]

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Photos of physical mockups and various parts for the upcoming iPhone 6 have been leaking out an almost weekly basis over the course of the past several weeks. However, actual parts for the display cover for the larger phone have yet to leak out. Today, Sonny Dickson sent us several photos of purported display glass covers in both black and white variations for the 4.7-inch iPhone. Apple is also working on an even larger 5.5-inch “phablet” model, but we do not have photos of the screen covers for that model…


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iPhone 6 mockups are a ‘rough approximation’ according to report, claims antenna design will differ signifcantly

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Japanese paper Nikkei has published a new report on their website comparing the mockups of the iPhone 6 to their supply chain sources. As translated by GforGames, the report says that while the mockups offer a good estimate of the final design, some key details are omitted.

Many of the things claimed in the report are obvious discrepancies, like button misalignment, but the report hones in on the antenna design (which has been critiqued by some readers) specifically. It says that the final iPhone 6 may not feature the ‘stripes’ at all, claiming that these simply mark out an area for glass materials to replace the aluminium frame, just like the iPhone 5s. Another possibility is that the stripe appearance is still present, but the stripes will be made out of attractive highly-polished glass.


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More pictures of the iPhone 6’s front and back appear online as Apple ramps production

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On Weibo, user dreamerJimmy has posted more shots of the supposed iPhone 6 design, which has shown up in photos time and time again in recent weeks. The new images are of reasonable quality, though and indicate how the larger phone would compare physically with the current iPhone 5s. The user has a good reputation for leaks, posting accurate images of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c months before their unveiling.

In the first image, the much thinner bezels of the supposed new device can be clearly seen, to maximise the screen space on the front side. The distance between the Home Button and the display has also been shortened.


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Skype removed from App Store ahead of major 5.0 update

You may have noticed Skype for iPhone/iPod touch disappear from the App Store in select markets today. Skype tells us that the reason is preparations for the upcoming 5.0 update. Here’s the statement:

We have removed the Skype for iPhone app from the Apple iTunes store in some markets, as we begin rolling out the latest version. Skype 5.0 for iPhone will soon be available worldwide for download – in the meantime, you can learn about the great new features coming with the new version here.

The new version should officially launch in the coming days. You can find all the details about the completely revamped design and improving chatting in our preview from yesterday. 


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New high-res shots of likely iPhone 6 ultra-thin metal frame surface

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Some new shots of a purported iPhone 6 metal chassis have appeared on the web today. The images line up with previously leaked iPhone 6 design schematics, a blurry picture of a frame, dummy models, cases, and manufacturing components. Shots of the sides below:


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Crude 3D-printed mockup compares size of monster 5.5-inch iPhone 6 to iPhone 5S

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We’ve seen a lot of images, renders, schematics, and videos of the expected 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6, but relatively little on its rumored larger brother, a 5.5-inch model.

This crude 3D-printed mockup posted to RocketNews24 makes no claims to be anything more than an illustration of what a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 would look like in terms of size, both in the hand and compared to an iPhone 5S, but does do a good job of turning the abstract dimension into something concrete.

Based on claimed design drawings, the mockup measures 157mm long, 77mm wide and 6.7mm thick.

Check out the full gallery below.

In a previous poll, 30 percent of you planned to buy the larger model, while 60 percent were more interested in the 4.7-inch version. Now you have a sense of what the size could translate to in the hand, do your plans remain the same? Let us know in the comments.

Via Nowhereelse

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Tim Cook: 60+% of iPhone 4s and 5c buyers are ‘Android Switchers’

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The success of Apple’s low end phones, the 3.5-inch iPhone 4s and the colorful plastic 5c, has been questioned since the current lineup was launched last year. But in today’s earnings call,  Tim Cook might have just explained why Apple keeps the lower end devices in its stable: They bring in the lower-end Android crowd. Specifically Cook said 62% of iPhone 4s, which is usually free (or cheaper) with a plan in the US buyers and 60% of iPhone 5c buyers were switching from Android.

Cook previously compared Android to Europe in its fragmentation and had some harsh words for some of the low end Android tablets in enterprise saying Apple would never produce or label products of that low quality. 
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Next-gen iPad Air front panel with integrated display reportedly shown in leaked photos

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New photos that reportedly show the front panel of a next-generation iPad Air have surfaced. Originally shared by One More Thing, the front panel appears to have an integrated display. This notable change could result in an even thinner iPad Air, or leave room for Apple to rework the hardware and add additional components.


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iPhone 6 renders based on recent case leaks show off rumored edge-to-edge screen

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Nowhereelse.fr has commissioned designer Martin Hajek to mockup the iPhone 6, using the most recent leaks about the upcoming device.

The renders, shown above, use the supposed iPhone cases pictured on Wednesday and leaked schematics from late March to envisage the look of the future iPhone. Naturally, the most striking change is the display, stretching almost edge-to-edge.


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Sketchy photo of an iPhone 6 front panel appears on Chinese forum (Update: additional photos)

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A picture claiming to be of an “iPhone 6” front panel has surfaced on a Chinese forum after being posted without context on Weibo. Details surrounding the image are not clear, but the forum poster claims that it originates from within an iPhone ‘factory’. The image was first found by iphon.fr.

Compared to the iPhone 5s, as shown above, the screen size is noticeably larger. It appears to feature a screen approximately 4.7 inches diagonally, as previously rumored.


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Dubious iPhone 6 cases already rolling in

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It may be five or so months before Apple launches the iPhone 6, with very little known for sure at this stage, but the case makers have already started firing-up their 3D printers.

French site NoWhereElse has posted photos of what claims to be transparent cases for the iPhone 6, with a cut-out for the rumored new position of the power button, on the side of the phone, opposite the volume buttons. Oddly, however, there is also a button-shaped cut-out on the top of the phone.

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NWE acknowledges that the source of the photo has no track-record of leaks, and we can’t see any reason to believe this is anything more than the usual attempts by case companies to guess what Apple plans to launch – a move that can sometimes have expensive consequences.

However, it has been known for case makers to get it right, basing their designs and measurements on molds from Chinese manufacturers, so it can’t be entirely discounted.

More North American consumers than ever planning to buy the iPhone 6, says survey

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A large-scale survey from 451 Research that tracks North American consumer purchase intentions shows that the percentage of those likely to buy the iPhone 6 is markedly higher than was the case for both the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s. In all three cases, the survey tracked intentions prior to any official announcement by Apple, providing a like-for-like comparison.

A total of 40 percent of the 4,109 consumers question said that they were likely to buy the iPhone 6, compared to 33 percent for the iPhone 5 and 26 percent for the iPhone 5s … 
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Pad & Quill announce new iPhone 5/s Traveller soft leather case, inspired by old coin pouch

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We’re huge fans of Pad & Quill so we’re excited to let you know that today the St. Paul, MN-based company announced some new wallets/cases for iPhone 5/s. Most notable is the $70 Traveller case [WANT] which will hold your iPhone and multiple cards in a pouch around back with a slider that helps eject your wares. We’ve noted before how much we like Pad and Quill’s rugged construction and genuine materials.

My dad had an old coin pouch that he carried everywhere with him and I have very good memories of that. We made this case inspired by his old coin pouch. It’s a tribute to my Dad and to the Craftsman. This is a VERY intricately hand assembled iPhone cover that includes a generous hidden back pocket for multiple Credit cards and ID. This is soft full grain luxury and rugged protection.

The Traveller comes in both Whiskey Brown and Onyx Black.

To accompany this new case, P&Q also just launched 3 new Pad & Quill Wallets made of the same luxury materials…
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Is this iPhone & iPad screen-protector made from bulletproof glass actually bulletproof? [Video]

You can always count on an Ars Technica review being thorough. So if a company is foolish enough to pitch an iPhone and iPad screen protector as being made from bulletproof glass, well …

I couldn’t let a “bulletproof” claim stand without challenge. Al Trug and the Clear Creek Gun Range graciously agreed to let me come in before regular hours on a weekday morning and mount the second Holy Grail review sample up on one of their targets, this time affixed to my friend Matt’s old iPhone 4.

‘Second’ sample because the company sent two, and reviewer Lee Hutchison had already attacked the first one with a screwdriver and ran it over with his car. As you do. You can see the second video on the Ars Technica site.

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iPhone owners 46 percent less likely to need to replace their phone

Image: iosguides.net

Image: iosguides.net

Figures from insurance company ProtectCell show that iPhone owners are 46 percent less likely to need a replacement than owners of other smartphones, and 11 percent less likely to need a repair.

While iPhones seemingly have higher build quality than other phones (or perhaps more careful owners), it comes as no surprise to see they are more desirable to thieves, with iPhone thefts 65 percent higher than those of other smartphones. A number that will hopefully fall when word reaches the criminal world about Activation Lock.

Update: ProtectCELL emailed us to say their press release contained the wrong figure (reading 54 percent instead of 46 percent). We have updated with the correct one.

How app store scammers can make $10,000 a day from a $10 game template

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Game Center WWDC 2013

TechCrunch has a fascinating insight into the world of App Store scammers, using the example of a game created from a $10 template that ended up making $10,000 a day.

The piece alleges that the developer of the paid version of Red Bouncing Balls Spikes used a network of around 20,000 fake Apple IDs to buy his own app in order to get it to the top of the charts, an up-front investment of $20k that would be repaid many times over … 
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iTunes Connect update brings modernized look, sales breakdowns by category, region and more

Sales data redacted.

Sales data redacted.

Apple today updated the Sales and Trends section of iTunes Connect, giving developers more detailed information about the origin of their apps’ sales as well as a modernized visual style.

The new update answers many of the issues developers have raised in recent years about the opaqueness of the App Store sales process. For instance, developers can now separate out sales by territory, platform, of purchase and category. This means that developers can get a better idea of how customers are finding their apps in the store. In the example above, you can see that the app was mainly found through the ‘Games’ category, with exposure in the ‘Entertainment’ category accounting for only a small fraction of total sales.


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Horizon for iPhone always records landscape video, independent of device orientation

Horizon is a new app for the iPhone (currently on sale for just $1) making the rounds today that attempts to eliminate a major annoyance of modern society — portrait videos.

Horizon uses the iPhone’s motion sensors (the accelerometer and gyroscope) to automatically scale and rotate input from the camera to generate videos that are always in landscape, no matter how the phone is actually being held.


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