iOS Devices

9,871 'iOS Devices' stories May 2007 - October 2013

The devices that run the world’s most advanced mobile operating system

Check out our top stories on iOS Devices:

iOS devices refer to any of Apple’s hardware that runs the iOS mobile operating system which include iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Historically, Apple releases a new iOS version once a year, the current version is iOS 10. Here is the complete list of iOS 10 compatible devices.

Apple prepping expansion of iPhone trade-in program to UK, Europe stores

Mark Gurman Oct 9 2013 - 12:40 pm PT

3 Comments

Update October 14th: It’s here.

In August, Apple launched an iPhone trade-in program for its United States-based retail stores. The promotion is part of Tim Cook’s grand plan to dramatically increase iPhone sales inside of his own stores. Interestingly, the iPhone “Reuse and Recycle” trade-in program has been absent from Apple Stores outside of the United States even though approximately 1/3 of the company’s stores exist outside of the U.S.

That will soon change, according to a reliable source. This person says that Apple has begun preparing training materials for its United Kingdom retail staff on the Apple Store iPhone trade-in-program and that the initiative will launch in the UK in the coming months. Apple has begun training a small number of UK-based stores on the program, but it will take the company a few weeks to rollout the training across the region…

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The perfect gift for British gadgeteers: the iKettle

Ben Lovejoy Oct 9 2013 - 5:31 am PT

1 Comment

We Brits are famous for the copious amounts of tea we drink (as well as for the fact that we drink it with milk, a habit which puzzles us as much as it does the rest of the world). But who has time to stand around your kitchen, waiting for the kettle to boil? A problem neatly solved by the iKettle.

Simply use your iPhone to switch the kettle on from wherever you are in the house, and it will alert you when it’s boiling. Wander through to the kitchen, and you can be drinking tea within seconds. Loose-leaf Earl Grey, naturally.

The app also offers to put the kettle on as soon as your iPhone comes within wifi range when you’re arriving home. All terribly civilised.

Ok, it’s $160/£99, and only available on pre-order for delivery in 1-2 months, but if I didn’t already use a Wemo plug to switch on my kettle from my home-office, I’d be seriously tempted …

Flickr iOS 7 auto-upload app with 1TB of storage blows Photo Stream out of the water

Ben Lovejoy Oct 9 2013 - 4:41 am PT

22 Comments

Photo: engadget.com

Today’s update to the iOS Flickr app offers auto-uploading of full-res photos to your private Flickr gallery. Couple this to the 1TB of free storage available and you effectively have a Photo Stream style service that can store over half a million photos, rather than simply the last 1,000.

Flickr introduced the 1TB capacity back in May (with parent company Yahoo offering the same free storage to email users yesterday). If you sync iPhoto with Flickr, you effectively get all the benefits of Photo Stream but with 500 times the capacity. You do need to be careful with this, however: the sync is two-way, so if you delete photos from Flickr, they will also be deleted from iPhoto …
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Facebook prepares major updates to iPhone apps as top engineer returns to Apple

Mark Gurman Oct 9 2013 - 4:07 am PT

8 Comments

Screenshots of upcoming Facebook Graph Search for iPhone update

Facebook is preparing a pair of major updates for its most popular iPhone applications, according to a source familiar with the apps. Facebook is testing an updated version of its main iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch client that integrates the social network’s powerful Graph Search tool. Graph Search is a feature that allows Facebook users to locate fellow users that have similar interests. For example, a Graph Search user can search for all friends who “Like” a certain Facebook page, musician, or movie. The upcoming app update incorporates Graph Search into the Facebook app’s main search bar.

In addition to the aforementioned update to the main Facebook for iOS application, Facebook is preparing a redesign of its Messenger app. Facebook is said to be internally testing two new versions of Messenger. The first version is said to look largely similar to the Messages application bundled into iOS. That version includes green interface elements. The second version in testing, which the source says is more likely to ship to end-users, is heavy on white space and very fitting for iOS 7’s design. It is not filled with blue interface elements like the new Facebook app. The new app has tabs for active/recent chats, contacts, and settings across the bottom…

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Apple will announce next generation iPads at October 22nd event

Zac Hall Oct 8 2013 - 1:50 pm PT

21 Comments

According to a report from AllThingsD, Apple will debut the next generation of iPad hardware at a media event on October 22.

People familiar with Apple’s plans tell AllThingsD that the company will hold its next invitation-only event on Tuesday October 22. The focal point of the gathering will the latest updates to the company’s iPad line, but new Mac Pro and OS X Mavericks will likely get some stage time as well, I’m told.

We’ve been seeing more and more leaks allegedly showing the slimmer, iPad mini-like design of the next-generation iPad 5 that we first posted images of back in January, and it’s likely Apple will debut the product alongside the much rumored second gen iPad mini later this month. The new iPad 5 is rumored to get the refreshed design and improved internals, while the second generation iPad mini is rumored to include a Retina display. The latest reliable reports claimed the two new iPads will also be receiving an upgraded 8 megapixel camera system.

AllThingsD reports that the event will include announcements regarding OS X Mavericks and the recently announced all-new Mac Pro in addition to new iPads. We first reported that Mavericks would launch in late October. CE: The Magazine previously pegged the fall Apple event for October 22nd.

There have been unconfirmed leaks showing the new iPads in similar colors to the new iPhone 5s, and even whispers of a TouchID fingerprint sensor for the larger of the two new products, but it’s unclear if those features will make it into the next generation iPads.

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This is the Jony Ive-designed aluminum Leica M camera for upcoming RED auction (Gallery)

Jordan Kahn Oct 8 2013 - 9:03 am PT

8 Comments

Last month we reported that Apple’s Senior Vice President of Design Jony Ive had teamed up with designer & friend Marc Newson to create one of a kind pieces for Bono’s (Product) RED charity auction scheduled for November 23 at Sotheby’s New York. Those pieces included one-of-a-kind 18k sold rose gold Apple EarPods, and Steinway & Sons piano, and other unique items designed by the pair. Today we get a look at another beautifully designed product set to go up for auction next month.

In the gallery below we get a look at the gorgeous aluminum Leica M for (RED) designed by Ive and Newson that features “a laser machined aluminum body and an anodized aluminum outer shell.” The one of a kind camera took 85 days to create with the team going through 561 models and nearly 1000 prototype parts:
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Literal camera shootout tests iPhone 5s slo-mo by shooting iPhone 5c

Ben Lovejoy Oct 8 2013 - 6:32 am PT

1 Comment

Whenever a new phone comes out, there are always a bunch of drop-test videos, keen to see how the handset fares when dropped onto various surfaces. Rated RR‘s tests are a little more … extreme. Generally involving a 50-cal rifle.

So when they wanted to see how the iPhone 5s 120fps slo-mo performs, what else would they do to find out but shoot a defenceless iPhone 5c? It may not be quite as pretty as some demos, but it’s certainly impressive.

Japan’s DoCoMo feeling the pain as iPhone 5s buyers flock to competitors

Ben Lovejoy Oct 8 2013 - 4:42 am PT

0 Comments

Japan’s DoCoMo, a carrier which was late to adopt the iPhone, lost more than 66,000 subscribers last month through a combination of having limited stocks of the iPhone 5s, and competitor carriers offering better deals. CNET alerted us to the number in a Nikkei report yesterday.

The iPhone has been reshaping Japan’s telecommunications market — one of the largest in the world — as it gains in popularity. DoCoMo’s problem is that it was late to the Apple phone game: the 5S and 5C are its first phone products from Apple.

Both Softbank and KDDI are offering incentives for upgrades to the 5s, and likely have better availability due to their long-established relationships with Apple. With DoCoMo also on board, the iPhone is expected to become the market leader in Japan.

A7-powered iPad 5 will accelerate the switch from PCs to tablets by two points – analyst

Ben Lovejoy Oct 8 2013 - 4:29 am PT

6 Comments

The A7-powered iPad 5 expected to be announced next week will accelerate the trend of people using tablets instead of PCs, argues an investment note from Deutsche Bank Equity Research.

We…expect growing [desktop] virtualization and iPad deployments in the enterprise to pressure corporate PC sales through 2014-15…We expect AAPL’s [Apple’s] iPad refresh to include 64 bit architecture, which should enable a greater array of enterprise App development and facilitate greater enterprise penetration over time.

Deutsche Bank had previously forecast that PC shipments would decline by 8 percent in 2013 and 6 percent in 2014, but has now lopped two points of each to predict -10 and -8 percent.

Apple is expected to unveil the new iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 at a media event on October 15th. With the iPads, OS X Mavericks, the Mac Pro, Haswell-powered MacBook Pros, Haswell Mac Minis and more, the event could be a crowded one.

Via CNET

Phil Schiller tweets links to iPhone 5s photos in National Geographic

Ben Lovejoy Oct 8 2013 - 4:11 am PT

5 Comments

Apple’s Senior VP of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller tweeted a link to a National Geographic feature in which photographer Jim Richardson used his iPhone 5s for a photo feature on Scotland in the definitive landscape photography magazine.

iPhoneography http://t.co/1MYjDgV2sj

— Philip Schiller (@pschiller) October 8, 2013

Richardson said that the transition from his usual Nikon kit wasn’t an easy one.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t struggling to make pictures. Walking down the Royal Mile surrounded by all things Scottish nothing seemed worth a picture. Out of desperation I took a few glib shots. Awful! Surrounded by great subjects I could see nothing. Made me feel worse.

But that using it over four days, he came to be impressed …
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iOS 7 betas expire as some folks forget to update, here’s how to get your iPhone back

Ben Lovejoy Oct 7 2013 - 4:41 am PT

7 Comments

Developers who didn’t upgrade their iOS devices from beta 6 to the public release of iOS 7 are finding their iOS devices temporarily bricked this morning after the beta expired, reports Gizmodo.

Around midnight UK time, my iPhone 5, along with thousands of other iOS 7-running devices which hadn’t updated from their dev betas, randomly crashed. An error message of “could not activate iPhone” appeared, and prompted users to sign in with their iCloud details. Unfortunately this did not solve the issue, with Apple’s activation server being “temporarily unavailable.”

Fortunately, a fix is available – such as the one detailed at iPhoneHacks. The executive summary is to make sure you’re running iTunes 11.1, manually download the latest 7.0.2 version of iOS , connect the device to your Mac, click on the device in iTunes and then hold down the option key when clicking the Check for Update button to select the downloaded file. See the detailed instructions and links to the files for each device here.

iPhone 5s takes top slot from Samsung Galaxy S4 at U.S. carriers; good showing by 5c too

Ben Lovejoy Oct 7 2013 - 4:10 am PT

2 Comments

The iPhone has long been the best-selling phone on AT&T, but the Samsung Galaxy S4 has for some time held that slot at Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile, with the iPhone 5 in second place. No more. September sales figures from Canaccord (reported in Fortune) show that the iPhone 5s now has top billing on all four major U.S. carriers, with the iPhone 5c also beating Samsung on AT&T and Sprint. While the news isn’t unexpected, the numbers do seem to put the lie to one rumor …
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Apple updates iPhone website with Tips and Tricks, teaches users new iOS 7 features

Mark Gurman Oct 4 2013 - 11:58 am PT

10 Comments

Apple has updated its iPhone website with “Tips and Tricks” (you’re welcome, Apple) pages to teach users about features found on the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 4s (via MacRumors).

The pages detail some of the software-exclusive features to the iPhone 5s in addition to some enhancements that came in iOS 7. For instance, the section’s spends time highlighting the camera app, which arguably received one of the most significant in-app transformations with the launch of the new iOS.

Endorsed by Tim Cook at WWDC, Anki Drive likely to launch this month

Mark Gurman Oct 4 2013 - 11:35 am PT

3 Comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnsR-kZUx6o&w=640&h=360]

With Apple CEO Tim Cook’s endorsement, Anki, a company with artificial intelligence and robots-based products, debuted Anki Drive at WWDC earlier this year. Anki Drive is a car game for iOS that connects to physical cars. The app is currently available via the App Store while the cars and mat system will be available via retail channels…

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Unlikely fingerprint hack plus Airplane Mode from lockscreen prevents remote wipe

Ben Lovejoy Oct 4 2013 - 6:35 am PT

23 Comments

For those paranoid spy folks out there, SRLabs has pointed out an additional security weakness which could help an attacker use the fingerprint hack to access an iPhone 5s.

The fingerprint hack takes time: around half an hour of actual work, plus drying time. Provided you notice your phone has gone before the thief gains access, you can simply remotely lock or wipe the phone. But with Airplane Mode accessible from the control center on the lockscreen, a thief can simply enable this to prevent the phone being wiped while they are dealing with the fingerprint …
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3D motion sensor promises instant sports analysis on your iPhone

Ben Lovejoy Oct 4 2013 - 4:54 am PT

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You’ve long been able to get wireless sports sensors that transmit data to your iPhone: heart-rate, cadence and so on. Zepp Labs has now taken the concept one step further with a small, lightweight sensor that captures data on your baseball, golf or tennis swing, providing an instant analysis and data-logging.

The ~~17g~~ 6g sensor, which attaches to a glove, contains 2 accelerometers, a gyroscope and compass. The rechargeable battery allows five hours of continuous use. The Zepp Multi-Sport Training System is expected to be available next month for $150.

Sensors definitely appear to be the new black. The iPhone 5s features the M7 chip, which captures sensor data while the main A7 chip takes a nap, and the long-awaited iWatch is widely expected to major on sensors, Apple recently hiring a key Nike Fuel Band designer to work on wearable products.

The M7 chip could do all this right now, but you’d have to duct-tape it to your glove … It’s our bet that the iWatch will offer the same functionality, it’s just a question of how long we might have to wait for that.

On its birthday, Siri’s U.S. voice actress revealed, ‘I had no idea I would be on the iPhone’

Mike Beasley Oct 4 2013 - 3:37 am PT

14 Comments

An Atlanta woman has come forward to CNN as the U.S. voice of Siri, the built-in “personal assistant” first introduced in the iPhone 4S. Susan Bennett says she first discovered that her voice was being used on Apple’s smartphones when a friend emailed her and asked if it was her voice on the iPhone commercial. She headed to the Apple website to discover that she had unknowingly provided the voice for the system with samples she recorded in July of 2005, a full six years before the phone’s launch.

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Nike schedules Oct. 15 event; more durable, battery-efficient FuelBand incoming

Mark Gurman Oct 3 2013 - 12:23 pm PT

8 Comments

Nike has scheduled a Tuesday, October 15th media event in New York City to discuss “the future of the digital world and physical activity.” Besides that, the company has been light on official details about what will be announced. However, we’ve been hearing about an upcoming Nike fitness/digital-related event for the past few weeks, and we are expecting a successor the popular Nike FuelBand fitness device to be announced. The event was originally planned for November, but perhaps the upcoming announcements from competitor Fitbit put pressure on Nike to move up its timeline…

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Concept imagines iPad mini 2 in blue and gold [Gallery]

Jordan Kahn Oct 2 2013 - 1:12 pm PT

7 Comments

We’ve already seen some sketchy leaks claiming to show photos of gold and space gray iPads that match the new colors unveiled with the iPhone 5s, and today designer Martin Hajek posted his latest concept showing what a champagne gold and blue iPad mini might look like.

While there hasn’t been any reliable reports of specific colors for the new iPads, back in July The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple has been “contemplating multiple color back covers” for the iPad mini.

If the latest reports are to be believed, Apple is readying two new iPad models that could launch as early as this month. A new full-sized “iPad 5” is rumored to include a slimmer, iPad mini-like design that we first posted images of back in January, and rumor has it Apple’s refreshed second gen iPad mini will get a Retina display and improved internals. The most recent report claimed the new iPads will include upgraded 8 megapixel rear cameras with larger apertures.

iPhone’s Touch ID metal ring fits in iPad 5 part, but likely isn’t evidence for fingerprint-scanning iPads

Mark Gurman Oct 2 2013 - 12:21 pm PT

13 Comments

With the announcement of the new iPads approaching later this month, rumors surrounding the new full-sized iPad have centered around a thinner, lighter design, but it’s been unclear if the new tablet will sport the Touch ID fingerprint authentication system from the iPhone 5s. I’ve heard that Apple’s most recent internal next-generation iPad prototypes have lacked Touch ID sensors, so it’s unclear if it will make the cut for this year. There are a few reasons why Touch ID wouldn’t make sense on an iPad this year:

Exclusivity to iPhone 5s could help with sales for Apple’s flagship phone. Notice the iPhone 5c doesn’t have it.
Supplies for Sapphire Crystal are obviously tight.
Touch ID would be better suited for an iPad capable of multiple users; is the OS even ready for that?

On the other hand, bringing Touch ID to the iPad this year would create consistency for Apple’s fall 2013 iOS Device line. Apple’s iPhone 5s internal test units did not gain Touch ID until late into testing, so there isn’t conclusive evidence right now for either direction…

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Virgin Mobile offers the iPhone 5s for $549, 5c for $449 (both $100 off) unsubsidized

Seth Weintraub Oct 2 2013 - 5:30 am PT

3 Comments

From 9to5Toys.com:

We knew Virgin Mobile was launching the iPhone 5s and 5c today, but we weren’t expecting a $100-off starting price. That’s what’s on offer today from the Sprint subsidiary (Sprint will also knock off $100 the subsidized plans if you are a new customer – so much for loyalty benefits).

Virgin’s plans are the least expensive out there, especially considering they include unlimited data and start at $30/month.

Another Sprint pre-paid subsidy, Boost mobile is likely going to offer the iPhone in coming days/weeks/months.
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Still looking for that elusive in-store iPhone 5s? Screen-scraper web app is here to help

Ben Lovejoy Oct 2 2013 - 5:11 am PT

4 Comments

If you’re still hoping to pick up an iPhone 5s from your local Apple retail store, developer Mordy Tikotzky has put together a web app to help.

Just go to the iPhone Check website, put in your ZIP code (it’s US-only at present), select your desired color and carrier and hit the Submit button. The web app carries out the search for you, screen-scrapes the results from apple.com and then presents a neat, color-coded table of results.

Apple briefly introduced an in-store pickup option, pulled it after one day and restored it a few days ago. The tool is a very handy way to check availability, but if my quick tests are anything to go by, you’re still not going to have much luck finding a gold one (other solutions are available …).

Reuters: Retina iPad mini supplies will be constrained, full production now pushed into 2014

Ben Lovejoy Oct 2 2013 - 4:18 am PT

5 Comments

Reuters is reporting that problems with the rumored retina display for the iPad Mini 2 mean that it will be available only in limited quantities when it launches this year, with full-scale production pushed into 2014.

Apple Inc will be unable to widely roll out a new version of the iPad Mini with a high-resolution “retina” display this month, people who work in the company’s supply chain said […]

Given the time required to ramp up screen production, a retina display-equipped iPad Mini would not be available in large volumes until early next year, the sources said.

The delays are said to be due to the display suppliers – believed to be Samsung, LG and Sharp – having difficulties meeting the strict power-saving specifications laid down by Apple …
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Belkin announces Express Dock for iOS devices w/ adjustable dial to accommodate cases

Jordan Kahn Oct 1 2013 - 10:03 am PT

3 Comments

Belkin today announced its latest product for iPad with the introduction of the new Express Dock for iPad. The dock comes with a built-in 4-foot Lightning connector, and thanks to an adjustable dial you can position the Lightning connector to accommodate cases and dock just about any iOS device:

Belkin’s new Express Dock has an adjustable dial integrated to the back of the dock. When turned, the dial raises or lowers the Lightning connector that connects to your iPad so it will work with a variety of case sizes and styles. It makes every day docking faster and more convenient—even with the case on.

While Belkin is branding the product the Express Dock for iPad, the company says it will work with iPad 4, iPad mini, iPhone 5, and iPod touch 5th generation. That means you’ll likely have no issues with your iPhone 5s either, but there’s no mention of 5c compatibility.

The Express Dock is available through Belkin.com and select retail partners starting today for $59.99.