iOS Devices

9,871 'iOS Devices' stories May 2007 - September 2012

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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.

iOS Devices

Here are the top 10 craziest iPhone 5 durability test videos

Jake Smith Sep 24 2012 - 7:36 am PT

[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LG6Qx127xgs”]

Now that many of you have spent your first weekend with the iPhone 5, you may wonder just how much this amazing new device can stand after having been dropped on the ground or in water or even shot with a gun or dunked in a basketball hoop. Lucky for you, several people with $650 to burn have posted their iPhone 5 durability testing, and we compiled the top 10. To begin, ratedrr shot the iPhone 5 with a .50 cal rifle, and the results won’t surprise you. Check out the nine others, including just how well the iPhone 5 does as a basketball, below:

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Developer Chronic offering up some free AT&T iPhone 5 unlocks

Seth Weintraub Sep 23 2012 - 4:55 pm PT

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While being the source of much iOS news (and entertainment), Chronic is also a hardworking developer/hacker who helps iOS users get out of jams. His latest foray is into iPhone carrier unlocking. GSM carriers —such as AT&T in the U.S., or Fido and Rogers in Canada, or others such as Koodoo or Telus— can be unlocked including the just released iPhone 5. Since each carrier requires a different process, the fees vary widely.

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As a special incentive to 9to5Mac readers, Chronic is offering four free iPhone 5 unlocks for those on AT&T. If you are interested, just put your name in the comments. Everyone else can go here for prices and availability for their GSM carriers (obviously—Verizon and Sprint users need not apply)

[tweet https://twitter.com/chronic/status/250024461624029184]

iOS Devices

More Maps: Developer hacks Google maps onto iOS 6 as Apple rumored to be poaching Google Maps folks

Seth Weintraub Sep 23 2012 - 4:10 pm PT

The fun did not stop in the iOS 6 maps brouhaha this weekend as a number of items hit the Web. Perhaps most interesting, iOS hacker Ryan Perrich claimed to have gotten Google’s map tiles to work on iOS 6 Maps. If true, it might alleviate some of the growing pains iOS 6 users are facing.

Next up…
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The first three iPhone 5 (and one EarPod) ads hit: ‘Thumbs’, ‘Physics’, ‘Cheese’ and ‘Ears’

Seth Weintraub Sep 21 2012 - 7:24 pm PT

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It sounds like actor Jeff Daniels, of “Dumb and Dumber” and “Newsroom”, narrates the first iPhone 5 ads.

“Thumbs” shows how the 4-inch screen is tailored to the windshield-wiper motion of your thumb:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Rc4MDmr8o&feature=plcp

“Cheese” shows the new panorama feature with a comical “cheeeeeeee *breath* eeese”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtm4ySJQPOc&feature=plcp

Two more and a poll below:

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This is the first jailbroken iPhone 5

Seth Weintraub Sep 21 2012 - 5:44 pm PT

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Unless Walt Mossberg or David Pogue knocked it last week, @Chpwn (Grant Paul) has the first jailbroken iPhone 5,which he posted to his Twitter account a few minutes ago. It is usually common courtesy to give Apple devices 24 hours before jailbreaking, but someone apparently could not help himself. More below:

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Verizon confirms iPhone GSM is unlocked, works with AT&T and others

Mike Beasley Sep 21 2012 - 12:39 pm PT

The iPhone 5 officially launched today, and while AT&T seems to dominate the other U.S. carriers in terms of user base, iDownloadBlog reports that Verizon customers, many of whom are jumping ship from AT&T over FaceTime restrictions, can still take advantage of AT&T’s network.

According to iDB, the Verizon iPhone 5 is GSM unlocked, meaning you can pop in almost any nano SIM to get service. This is traditionally used for roaming overseas on international roaming plans, but it is also the first time a CDMA iPhone has shipped with the ability to hop onto AT&T’s network inside the United States. There is no word yet on whether this trick can pick up AT&T’s LTE signal, but it is at least working with HSPA+.

While it is not confirmed, there is a good chance that this will also work with Straight Talk SIM cards—provided you are daring enough to cut it down to nano SIM size. The same goes for T-Mobile’s nano SIM cards.

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London Underground offers offline maps to those who updated to iOS6 and no longer have schedules

Seth Weintraub Sep 21 2012 - 5:40 am PT

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At first, we laughed. Then we realized this is probably necessary for a few. If you are looking for workarounds for the new maps, we got you covered.

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iOS Devices

Apple now requires developers to submit 1,136-pixel screenshots for iPhone 5 apps

9to5 Staff Sep 20 2012 - 5:22 pm PT

For developers who wish to submit their taller or wider apps to the App Store, Apple now requires a big screenshot of the app be uploaded as well. iPhone 5 apps without a new screenshot will not be reviewed until one is uploaded.

iOS Devices

Apple to replace broken iPhone 5 screens in-store, not with a refurbished model?

Jake Smith Sep 20 2012 - 2:14 pm PT

There is nothing more frustrating than dropping your precious iPhone, picking it up, and then finding the darn thing completely cracked. Apple will happily replace a cracked iPhone 4S with a refurbished one, as long as you are signed up for the $99 Apple Care program.

However, a new phone brings new changes. The folks at iMore, who have been on-key with Apple news in the past, report that broken iPhone 5 displays will physically be replaced in-store and no longer will customers be handed a refurbished device. The report added that the equipment to swap screens has begun popping up in retail stores:

iMore has learned from sources within Apple retail that broken iPhone 5 displays may soon be getting replaced in-store. This would be a change from Apple’s current iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 practice, which consisted of swapping the entire iPhone out for a new or refurbished one. Sources within Apple retail have told us that equipment used to remove the screens has started appearing in their stores.

The iPhone 5’s new unibody design makes the front panel easily replaceable. Apple could do similar with the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS until the redesigned body for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S made it much more difficult.

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Verizon CFO says unlimited is ‘going by the wayside’, many customers embrace Share Everything

Élyse Betters Sep 20 2012 - 12:32 pm PT

Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo told attendees at a Goldman Sachs investor conference in New York today that unlimited data plans are no longer relevant and the carrier’s Share Everything plan is doing well.

“We are surprised on shared from many different aspects,” said Shammo, as first reported by CNET. “…More people are going to shared than we actually anticipated. And the thing that really surprised us is we have a lot of people coming off unlimited to go to shared.”

Verizon’s Share Everything plan launched in June and allows users to, well, share data with up to 10 devices through a single account. The carrier stopped offering unlimited data to new customers last year, due to growing smartphone usage clogging the carrier’s pipelines; and with the standard now at 4G LTE, Verizon is likely trying to capitalize on every bit of data funneled through its network.

Unlimited data customers are flocking to Share Everything, Shammo suggested, because many of them realize they don’t consume much data. He also noted customers have added more devices than expected.

“Unlimited is just a word, it doesn’t really mean anything,” Shammo contended. “So that whole unlimited thing I think is going by the wayside and they see the benefit of going to the shared. ”

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iOS Devices

Over 72 percent of 9to5Mac readers have updated to iOS 6 (up from 14 percent last week)

Seth Weintraub Sep 20 2012 - 12:16 pm PT

The day before iOS 6 released to the public (which was yesterday), iOS usage on 9to5Mac was at 14 percent according to our analytics.

As of today (the day after iOS 6 released to the general public), we are now over 72 percent.

Research firms Chitika and Chartboost add that iOS 6 adoption has been between 15 and 17-percent in 24 hours.

Target announces Passbook support for mobile coupons

Élyse Betters Sep 20 2012 - 10:09 am PT

Target just announced support for Apple’s new Passbook app in iOS 6. Folks can now use the Target app to send, store, and access Target Mobile Coupons in Passbook. Check out the press release and app changelog below for additional details.

Target for iOS version 5.5.1:

Big screen, big savings:
Now you can receive coupons directly in the app and scan them in the store. Check out My Target section to get started. Saving has never been this easy.
Add coupons to Passbook on iOS 6.
Filter search results by price, in-store or online availability, color and much more.
Supports the larger screen size for the iPhone 5 and new iPod Touch.
And the little things matter, too:
Change the color or size of a product right from your cart.
View ratings and reviews for Daily Deals.
Fixes an issue with adding items to your cart. (Older versions will be fixed soon.)

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iOS Devices

Apple invents Android-like face unlock feature for mobile phones, patents it

Jordan Kahn Sep 20 2012 - 7:08 am PT

We told you about a few Apple patents in the past that highlight Apple’s experimentation with face and object recognition. Today, PatentlyApple reported on another patent that covers methods of unlocking and locking a device including unique child lock features and “learn the user’s intended movements.” Hopefully the end result is something better than what we have seen before.

Today’s invention takes a few different twists that very interesting. I’m sure that die-hard Androiders will be up in arms today pointing to Google’s feature and patent – but Apple’s invention adds so much more depth. We’ll point you to Google’s patent for those wishing to compare the two inventions to be fair. Yet at the end of the day, Apple’s invention – especially if they combine it with ‘Presence’ technology, will have a unique product that will simply outshine Google’s implementation, plain and simple.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l4D2tn_-kQ]

Google Exec comments on iOS 6 Maps [Video]

Élyse Betters Sep 20 2012 - 6:52 am PT

[ooyala code=”BrOWh4NTpclZ6spl7Lv0IUL4nC19XOSe”]

Google UK Marketing Director Dan Cobley briefly spoke with Bloomberg TV today on Apple’s decision to remove Google Maps from iOS 6, but the most intriguing part about his statement concerned how people could continue to use Google Maps after updating.

Cobley noted folks on iOS 6 can still “use Google Maps by downloading them or going to the Google Maps website.” This is an interesting comment, however, as there is no Google Maps-related app from Google available in the App Store aside from the Google Earth app. It features 3D layers, including roads, borders, places, photos and more, but it is not an adequate Google Maps replacement. There is also no existing option to download a map from Google Maps in mobile Safari.

Therefore, it is currently unclear what Cobley meant by “downloading them.” SearchEngineLand asked Google today when iOS would get a new Google Maps app, though, and if it would feature turn-by-turn navigation. Google replied:

We believe Google Maps are the most comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps in the world. Our goal is to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system.

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Missing all the features of Google Maps? Get them back in iOS 6 with these third-party apps

Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2012 - 3:00 pm PT

Are you already feeling the frustration of Apple’s new iOS 6 Maps app? Apple is officially no longer using the Google Maps backend from iOS 5 with today’s public release of iOS 6. With its new in-house Maps app, some were concerned users would be disappointed with the arguably downgraded experience. A few of the reasons some users are refusing to update to iOS 6: lack of Google’s Street View and public transportation features, limited traffic data, and inferior local search. Above is a breakdown of lost features by country, courtesy of theunderstatement.com, showing 51 countries will be losing access to Transit data, 24 countries losing traffic data, and 41 countries without access to Street View. Also worth noting is that 20 countries won’t have access to Apple’s shiny new turn-by-turn and 3D Flyover features. Another consideration is that many of the features of Apple’s new Maps app, such as Flyover, turn-by-turn, and Siri, will be limited to iPhone 4S/iPhone5, and third gen iPad users.

The good news is there might be a way to get back some of that functionality even if it means having to go through a couple third-party apps to do so. Here’s to hoping Google has an even better Maps experience headed to iOS in the near future, but until then the apps like the ones below might be your only option:

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iOS Devices

Thanks to a little push by the iPhone 5, Sprint hits 1M total LTE devices sold

Jake Smith Sep 19 2012 - 2:42 pm PT

As one can imagine, having Apple’s iPhone on your network certainly works wonders for carriers. While speaking at a Goldman Sachs’ conference in New York this afternoon, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse announced that his company sold 1 million LTE devices to date. We can assume the iPhone 5, which first became available for pre-order last Friday, played a considerable role in pushing Sprint across its milestone. That is not to say Sprint’s other LTE offerings, including the Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Note II, did not play a big role. However, the iPhone’s popularity, mixed with Sprint’s unlimited data plan, certainly did not hurt either.

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iOS Devices

iPhone 4S hacked to gain unauthorized access to photos and contacts during Pwn2Own contest

Jake Smith Sep 19 2012 - 2:09 pm PT

Apple’s iOS software and hardware have been relatively safe for users to use, but that does not mean hacks cannot happen. Two clever minds during a Pwn2Own contest were able to hack a fully patched iPhone 4S to gain a slew of information from the device, reported ZdNet. The hackers, Joost Pol and Daan Keuper, were able to find vulnerability in WebKit that allowed them to hi-jack photos, videos, address book contacts, and browsing history right from the phone. The two earned a $30,000 cash-prize for performing what they call “a clean hack.”

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Samsung mocks iPhone 5 line sitters (again) in new Galaxy S III ad

Jordan Kahn Sep 19 2012 - 10:35 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nf5-Prx19ZM]

Samsung just released its latest ad mocking iPhone line sitters—right on time for the release of the iPhone 5 this week. The ad is quite similar to its old “The Next Big Thing” Galaxy ads, as it bashes iPhone customers waiting in line at the Apple Store. This commercial is for Samsung’s latest device, of course, the Galaxy S III.

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iPhone 5 shipping times slip again to ‘3-4 weeks’ on Apple’s website

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2012 - 9:30 pm PT

After slipping to “2-3 weeks” for preorder customers, just two days after the launch of the iPhone 5 last week, readers informed us Apple’s website now lists the device as available to ship in “3-4 weeks” in at least the United States, Australia and Canada. Many other countries are still listed at “2-3 weeks.” Either way, initial shipments will not arrive until long after Apple launches the device in another 22 countries at the end of the month. Most carriers are still advertising availability for Sept. 21, but all three iPhone 5 models on all carriers are listed as available in “3-4 weeks” for the countries mentioned above.

Here’s a first look at a AT&T nano-SIMs for the iPhone 5 (9to5mac.com)
Apple announces iPhone 5 preorders hit two million in 24 hours, doubles iPhone 4S record (9to5mac.com)
Sprint and Verizon won’t support simultaneous voice and data on iPhone 5 (9to5mac.com)
Apple Marketing SVP Phil Schiller confirms: Apple has no iPhone 5 dock in the works (9to5mac.com)
iPhone 5 shipping times slip to ‘2-3 weeks’, Lightning port adapter shipments push to October (9to5mac.com)

Apple Marketing SVP Phil Schiller confirms: Apple has no iPhone 5 dock in the works

Sep 18 2012 - 7:57 pm PT

We were recently forwarded an email where a reader reached out to Senior Vice President of Marketing Philip Schiller to ask if Apple planned to release a dock for the new iPhone 5.

Schiller apparently replied to the user’s email and said there were no plans to produce an iPhone 5 dock, as “most people who use docks use them with speaker or clock systems.” Based on the message header we received, we believe this correspondence is the real deal. Apple has released a dock for each iteration of the iPhone—it even included one with the original iPhone. We expect third-party accessory makers to seize this opportunity and fill the hole Apple has left; they are already reproducing Lightning cable adapters.

The best part of this email is quite possibly the fact that Schiller went out of his way to let recipients of his messages know he is using an iPhone 5. His signature stated, “Sent from my iPhone 5”.

iPhone 5 reviews released: ‘Impossibly light but solid feel, iOS is speedy on the expansive screen’

Jake Smith Sep 18 2012 - 6:00 pm PT

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5mac/status/248054034156617728]

[viddler id=82e97344 w=545 h=307]

The iPhone 5 is a significant improvement over the iPhone 4S in nearly every regard, and in those areas that didn’t see an upgrade over its predecessor — camera, storage capacity — one could make a strong case that the iPhone 4S was already ahead of the curve. Every area, that is, except for the OS. If anything, it’s the operating system here that’s beginning to feel a bit dated and beginning to show its age.

Still, the iPhone 5 absolutely shines. Pick your benchmark and you’ll find Apple’s thin new weapon sitting at or near the top. Will it convince you to give up your Android or Windows Phone ways and join the iOS side? Maybe, maybe not. Will it wow you? Hold it in your hand — you might be surprised. For the iOS faithful this is a no-brainer upgrade. This is without a doubt the best iPhone yet. This is a hallmark of design. This is the one you’ve been waiting for.

Many of us have experience with LTE from using the iPad. I’ll tell you it’s great to see it on the iPhone. I actually use LTE more on the iPhone than I do on the iPad, simply because I use the phone a lot more. The speed is incredibly fast, especially when compared to what the iPhone 4S could do.

Like the faster processor and graphics, LTE gives you the feeling of never waiting for anything. Apps open fast and you are ready to work or browse the Web right away.

The Telegraph:

[ooyala code=”xweHZ3NTp9064-eacNLMRkmDFJNXZGhI”]

Specificationists will say that with the iPhone 5 Apple is now behind its rivals in terms of features but in truth it’s hard to think of a feature offered elsewhere that the average person – as opposed to the tech obsessive – really needs. NFC is not sufficiently widely used, wireless charging is nice but still requires a charger plugged into the wall and most people get along fine without removable storage. The iPhone 5 is a great smartphone made even better. It’s fast, lightweight and backed by the largest application store for any device. It’s also probably the most beautiful smartphone anyone has ever made.

More reviews below:

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iFixit delves inside the new Apple EarPods [Gallery]

Élyse Betters Sep 18 2012 - 12:06 pm PT

iFixit is hardcore when it comes to breaking open our favorite electronics to see what’s inside, and the website did it again today with the new Apple EarPods that just unveiled last week.

There is no repairability score for the EarPods, because they are “the throw-away kind.” Due to their glue blinding, iFixit warned the EarPods would never be the same if taken apart. In fact, an X-Acto blade was needed to cut the headphones open.

The notable tidbits from inside:

The EarPod speakers house a diaphragm/ paper cone, a voice coil, a permanent magnet, and a cabinet. Previous Apple headphones used plastic cones rather than paper.
The new design includes “larger cable wrapping on both ends” to sustain durability and minimize strain on the wires, and Apple removed the external microphone grate to make the EarPods more resilient to moisture damage.

As for the EarPod remote microphone:

The microphone in the EarPods’ remote bears the markings 2F17 045; we also uncovered another IC with the markings TI25ASGVI, which Chipworks believes to be an ADC, or a device used for volume-control duty.

Oh, and click here to see a size comparison of the remote’s circuit board alongside a U.S. dime.

Something to consider: Perhaps the new EarPods are so “mediocre'” because Apple wants to protect ears from the type of sound that only plug earphones produce. Apple sells many headphones, so producing a good sound that protects ears is probably a high priority for the oft-sued Apple.

Go to iFixit for the entire teardown.

: Final layout

: Compared to older-generation EarBuds

: Packaging

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iOS Devices

Things to do with your Lightning to USB cables while you wait for iPhones and iPods…

9to5 Staff Sep 18 2012 - 11:14 am PT

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Lightning cables are arriving at readers’ doorsteps today at least three days ahead of any iOS devices that can utilize them. So, what to do with them? Let’s crowdsource a top 10 list.
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iPad mini spyshots leak, look slightly more convincing [gallery]

Seth Weintraub Sep 18 2012 - 8:13 am PT

With the launch of the iPhone 5 and Apple’s stock price crossing 700, we almost forgot about the iPad mini that is rumored to launch next month. We have some new shots of the rumored device today from Chinese website Bolopad.com (via TechCrunch). These images look a bit better than previous leaks, which were just renders, schematics, cases or parts, but the now-defunct YouTube app gives us more than a little pause.

Update: it appears that they are mockups from here

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