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iPhone 5s

449 'iPhone 5s' stories January 2013 - January 2014
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Released in mid-September 2013, the iPhone 5s ($99 to $149 from the Apple Store) is a cosmetically minor but internally significant update to the iPhone 5. Featuring the same aluminum and glass design as the iPhone 5, including the same 4″ screen size, dimensions, and weight, the iPhone 5s introduced gold and space gray options to Apple’s product lines, while remaining available in the same white and silver combination as the iPhone 5.

From the outside, the most obvious change was the addition of Touch ID: a fingerprint sensor inside of the iPhone’s Home button. Ringed with metal color-matched to the iPhone 5s’s body, the sapphire-crystal coded fingerprint reader can unlock the screen by matching its scan to 5 distinct fingers, and similarly substitute a scan for a password when making iTunes purchases.

Internally, the iPhone 5s makes significant improvements over the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c in two main categories: processing and cameras. Replacing the iPhone 5’s A6 processor is a new A7 chip with twice the speed, much improved graphics, and a 64-bit architecture. The A7 enabled the iPhone 5s to be the first 64-bit smartphone, capable of enhanced gaming, video processing, and even more advanced apps in the future. It continues to support LTE cellular networks and 802.11n wireless.

The camera system benefitted from an all-new rear 8-megapixel sensor with improved light sensitivity for low-light photography. Also new is a True-Tone flash, a dual-LED flash that increases skin color accuracy when taking photos in the dark. Apple also added a Burst Mode feature to capture 10 photos per second, and a new Slow-Mo video capture mode to take 120FPS video.

As of 2015, the iPhone 5s is in the middle of the iPhone pack in performance, but still the best option available for users with small hands and/or small pockets. Everyone else should give serious consideration to the thinner, faster, and longer-running iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. The iPhone 5s is sold only in 16GB and 32GB storage capacities, the former very small. If you’re going to buy this model, we’d strongly advise spending the extra $50 for the 32GB model.

UK watchdog finalizes rules for free-to-play games, requires compliance by April 1st

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Jan 30 2014 - 4:57 am PT
2 Comments

The UK’s Office of Fair Trading has today published its final “principles” for free-to-play games, after starting an investigation back in April last year. Publishers have until April 1st to comply to the regulations or their titles breach UK consumer law and may result in legal action … 
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Speculation and circumstantial evidence points toward possibility of Apple using solar in upcoming products

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jan 29 2014 - 7:34 am PT
35 Comments
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Image: 1iphone5wallpaper.com

There has long been speculation about Apple incorporating a solar panel into its products, both for environmental reasons and to boost battery-life. There have been Mobile-Solar Apple Jobs that have vanished after discovery, tons of patents, trial rumors and of course the Solar effort/expertise on Apple’s Data Centers and new Campus 2 building. This week, Seeking Alpha has a highly speculative piece by Matt Margolis suggesting that the evidence may be mounting for the iPhone 6 being the product Apple uses to bring the Solar idea to market.

Before we get too far into the speculation, it is worthwhile to note that the surface area of an iPhone would hardly be enough to keep a charge let alone recharge a phone even with the most efficient solar technology in labs today. However, all of the evidence weighed together might make you forget all of that ‘science’…


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: $30 off Retina iPad mini, Virgin iPhone 5s $440, 15″ Retina MacBook Pro (newest) $1700, more

Avatar for Jan 28 2014 - 9:58 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals: 


Apple Tablet Roundup: $30 off all iPad mini w/ Retina display WiFi models, iPad 4th gen 128GB $520, more

Virgin Mobile cuts unsubsidized iPhone 5s to $440 or iPhone 5c for $360 shipped (Update)

Apple 15″ MacBook Pro w/ Retina display (current gen) 2.0GHz/8GB RAM/256GB $1,700 shipped (Reg. $1999)

Other great deals from today:


More great deals still alive:

Tim Cook as good as confirms mobile payment via Touch ID on the way

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jan 28 2014 - 5:03 am PT
9 Comments
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When Touch ID was first rumored, there had been much speculation about whether the iPhone 5s would act as an electronic wallet, with payments to retailers authorized by fingerprint. While that hasn’t yet happened, it does now seem clear that it’s on the way.

Asked about mobile payments during yesterday’s earnings call, CEO Tim Cook gave what is, in Apple terms, a surprisingly direct response.

The mobile payments area in general is one we’ve been intrigued with. It was one of the thoughts behind Touch ID […] it’s a big opportunity … 
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Tim Cook: iPhone 5c popular among first-time iPhone buyers, but not as popular as expected

Avatar for Mike Beasley Jan 27 2014 - 5:10 pm PT
47 Comments
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During today’s earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that the iPhone 5c was the most popular choice among new iPhone users. However, the colorful new lower-end device did not meet the company’s expectations in sales. Despite the fact that iPhone 5s sales came in above Apple’s target, the iPhone category overall significantly missed analysts’ projected sales mark of 55 million units.

It’s likely that Apple misjudged the low-end smartphone market here, believing that users would jump at the chance for a “new” iPhone at a lower price than usual. Smartphone shoppers don’t seem to be taking the bait, instead opting for the more expensive, more “premium” 5s or going elsewhere. It’s hard to say they’re making the wrong call, considering that the iPhone 5c is actually much closer in specs to the previous generation than it is to the latest model, which seems to be more than worth its $100 premium.


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Live blog: Apple’s Q1 2014 earnings call

Avatar for Mark Gurman Jan 27 2014 - 1:36 pm PT
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Credit: <a href="http://9to5mac.com/author/michaelsteeber/" target="_blank">Michael Steeber</a>

As we mentioned earlier this month, Apple is scheduled to hold a conference call to discuss its earnings and sales figures from the previous quarter it reported today: including 51 million iPhones, 26 million iPads, and 4.8 million Macs. The company also reported $57.6 billion in revenue for the previous quarter. We’ll be listening in on the conference call and updating you on key developments as they play out, so follow along at 5pm EST.
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Dark Sky update brings iOS 7 design, beautiful 3D radar maps and more detailed forecasts

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Jan 27 2014 - 10:05 am PT
3 Comments

The Forecast team today released their iOS 7 update for Dark Sky ($3.99), the ‘down-to-the-minute’ weather app. The update strips back the bevels and gloss to fit the iOS 7 aesthetic. The new design puts the most important information — the current weather conditions — front and center. A graph plot of upcoming precipitation is also available at a glance on the main page of the app.

Blurring has also been used to great effect, with the forecast information superimposed on a blurred view of the global radar maps. These maps are beautifully rendered; the radar patterns smoothly transition over time. In addition to the radically new design, version 4 also brings much forecasts that span longer into the future. The next 24 hours is prioritised, but 7-day outlooks are available with a swipe. The day-by-day breakdowns offer a lot of information, more so than most weather reports will provide.

From the developers’ blog:

Completely rewritten from scratch, it sets aside the limitations of the web to become the weather app we’ve always wanted — and always wanted to build. It’s the culmination of over two years of work in figuring out how to display and organize weather data the right way. And it’s a full featured weather app — something we swore we’d never do — but it still remains true to its original focus on what’s happening right now, where you’re standing.

The developers say the app is a complete rewrite, which makes the fact they are not charging for the update impressive. For new customers, Dark Sky is available for $3.99 on the App Store. Note that Dark Sky coverage currently encompasses the United States, the UK and Ireland. The developers have said that they are actively working on adding data for more regions.

WSJ says two larger screened iPhone models due this year, plastic 5c to be scrapped

Avatar for Mark Gurman Jan 23 2014 - 9:03 am PT
27 Comments
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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is planning to release two distinct iPhone models with larger displays later this year. This corroborates a report from Bloomberg News published late last year, so this is not entirely new information. The first new iPhone is claimed to have a screen between 4.5 and 5-inches while the second model will go beyond 5-inches in size:


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Foxconn execs charged with taking bribes to award iPhone supply contracts

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jan 23 2014 - 4:49 am PT
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Photo: Thomson Reuters

Several former execs at Foxconn have been charged with taking bribes from companies supplying the company with iPhone components, reports the WSJ.

Following a year of investigation, prosecutors said Thursday they have detained a former Foxconn general manager for allegedly taking kickbacks from supply chain partners. Prosecutors said three other former Foxconn employees were released on bail [after being charged] … 
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iDevices top data usage charts, iPhone 5s users downloading 41 percent more data than Samsung S4

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jan 23 2014 - 4:48 am PT
7 Comments

While Android devices have the greatest market share, the evidence that iOS users do more with their devices continues to grow. The latest survey by analytics company Arieso found that iDevices took six out of the top ten slots in terms of the amount of data downloaded by 2013 devices. All numbers use the iPhone 3G as their base, and exclude the iPad Air which was launched after the survey ended.

Unsurprisingly, the company found that our appetite for data grows with each generation of device, as they become increasingly capable. iPhone 5s owners, for example, download 19 percent more data than iPhone 5 owners.

But tellingly, iPhone 5s owners download 41 percent more data than the Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung’s current flagship handset (a figure that increases to 54 percent in developing markets). A previous study showed that iPhone users spend more time using their phones than do Android owners.

In a separate analysis by the UK consumer association Which?, the iPhone 5c was found to have the greatest amount of usable storage space after built-in apps were accounted for. Comparing the 16GB models of eight leading smartphones, the 5c was found to leave users with 12.6GB of storage, with the 5s at 12.2GB taking third place behind the Nexus 5. The Samsung Galaxy S4 took bottom place, with just over half of its 16GB space available to the user.

Via TechCrunch

Beats Music streaming service launches on iPhone for $9.99 a month

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Jan 21 2014 - 2:37 am PT
4 Comments

Beats Music is now available for iPhone on the App Store, after being originally announced back in October. The app is a very stylised adaption of a typical music streaming service app, with Beats heavily pushing the idea of customisation and curation to distance it from its many competitors.


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Review: Tick is a clever, colorful way to manage your to-do list on iOS 7

Avatar for Jan 18 2014 - 12:00 pm PT
5 Comments


Tick is a simple, highly customizable to-do list app that effectively uses color and animation to deliver a fun and motivating experience.  Developed by Taphive, Tick was created for iOS 7 and recently updated to be more customizable, have better integration with the Reminders app, and include more animations.

I generally don’t like or use to-do apps because I consider them redundant when paired with apps like Reminders and Calendar. However, I find the fun and utterly simple design of this app makes me more motivated to use to-do lists to manage tasks.

Tick’s main interface features a set of colorful square panels. Each panel represents a list of to-dos. To create a new list, you just tap on the + button, type a name for the list, choose any one of the 64 available icons, assign a color, and tap Save. Then you click the + sign icon at the bottom of the screen to add to-dos to the list you just created.

Clever animations and transitions are present throughout the app, whether you’re checking off a completed item or moving back to the main screen. You’ll even see a special animation when you manage to complete all of the tasks on any given list.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBESskDWBTs&hd=1]

Clicking the share icon at the bottom of a list reveals options to print or share your tasks via text or iMessage, email or AirDrop. Sliding from left to right on the main screen reveals a summary with the total number of Lists and To-Dos, and allows you to access the app’s settings.

In settings, you can choose to display the name of each list or just the icon. The app also features a night mode that can be toggled manually or set to automatically switch on at a specific time. The overall appearance of the app is so bright that I actually prefer to leave it in night mode throughout the day.

Settings has numerous other features like the ability to choose from numerous fonts, whether to vibrate or not when you trigger certain functions, and a myriad of choices regarding the app’s home screen badge.

Even the About section of Settings has a number of handy features.

I especially like the fact that the app works with the Dynamic Text accessibility feature found in iOS 7.

Additionally, Tick completely integrates with your existing Reminders app. This allows you to use Siri to add entries to your Tick lists, and keeps your lists synced across all of your devices with iCloud.

I highly recommend Tick to anyone looking for a fresh approach to getting the necessary tasks in their life and work organized. Tick is available for $1.99 on the iOS App Store.

China Mobile iPhone launch could lead to subsidy wars, say analysts

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Jan 17 2014 - 4:45 am PT
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Image: thenextweb.com

Analysts say that the official launch of the iPhone on China Mobile could lead to subsidy wars as Chinese carriers compete to attract buyers. The predictions, quoted by Business Insider, follow price cuts by rival carriers China Unicom and China Telecom as China Mobile reports 1.2 million pre-orders.

China Mobile is currently offering the iPhone 5s free with a 24-month contract costing the equivalent of $98 a month. A 30-month contract on China Unicom costs $63 a month.

I do think you’re going to see a subsidy war coming,” said Michael Clendenin, managing director of Shanghai-based RedTech Advisors. “China Mobile, if they’re not making their targets on sales for these phones, they’re going to increase the subsidies […] It’s like airlines: the other guys will fall like dominoes, so China Unicom will do it and China Telecom will do it” … 
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Apple to begin in-store iPhone 5c screen repairs next week

Avatar for Mark Gurman Jan 16 2014 - 5:30 pm PT
9 Comments
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We’ve gotten word from multiple sources that Apple will begin repairing/replacing broken iPhone 5c displays in its retail stores next week. The current plan is to begin offering replacements on Monday, January 20th. As we noted in November of last year, this initiative has been in the works for several months as Apple needs to source individual screens for replacement and supply each of its stores within special calibration machines…


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Tim Cook calls China Mobile launch ‘a beginning’ as Chairman says ‘multi-million’ iPhones ordered

Avatar for Mark Gurman Jan 14 2014 - 7:27 pm PT
3 Comments

(Image via Getty Images)

Ahead of the launch of the iPhone on China Mobile on January 17th, Apple CEO Tim Cook sat down with the Wall Street Journal and other publications for a brief interview. Cook hints that this iPhone deal is only the beginning of a longer-term partnership between Apple and China’s largest mobile carrier:

Speaking in a small media briefing to Chinese media and The Wall Street Journal, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said he is “incredibly optimistic” about the outcome of the cooperation with the Chinese carrier.

“We’ve gotten to know each other….today is a beginning, and I think there are lots more things our companies can do together in the future,” Mr. Cook said.

Cook is likely referring to future generations of the iPhone, and other products such as the iPad, appearing on China Mobile’s network in the future. Cook also shares that half a million of the App Store developers are from China:

Mr. Cook said Apple wants to reach as many Chinese consumers as possible by offering iPhones through China Mobile, and added that the country has more than half a million people writing apps for the U.S. company’s iOS operating system.

“Apple has always been about making the best products, not the most products, so that’s always our North Star and that’s not going to change ever,” said Mr. Cook.

“Multi-millions” of iPhones have already been pre-ordered through China Mobile, according to a statement from China Mobile’s Chairman in the same interview. Earlier today, the WSJ reported that over one million iPhone 5s units were shipped from Foxconn to China Mobile. 


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

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Jan 14 2014 - 2:07 pm PT
6 Comments

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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CES 2014: Otterbox announces new ‘Symmetry’ cases for iPhone 5s and 5c

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Jan 7 2014 - 11:07 am PT
4 Comments

At CES, Otterbox has unveiled its new range of iPhone cases called the ‘Symmetry’ series. According to Otterbox, these cases are a “fusion of protection and style”.

The protective cases are thin, combining two materials into a single piece. Otterbox calls the series one of the slimmest, most protective cases in its class. They have a raised edge on the front to protect the touchscreen glass and use synthetic rubber in a honeycomb coring on the back to absorb shock to defend against drop damage.


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Mophie unveils new Space Pack iPhone 5/5s case with built in battery and storage

Avatar for Chance Miller Jan 7 2014 - 9:20 am PT
8 Comments
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Mophie has become one of the household names in iPhone cases over the past couple of years because of its useful battery pack accessories that extend the battery life of the iPhone. At CES 2014, the company has announced a new line of products, building on its Juice Pack brand. Dubbed Space Pack, Mophie’s new cases double the battery life of your iPhone, but also add more storage to your phone. The case will be available in 16GB and 32GB models, meaning that if you have a 64GB iPhone, you could now have a max of 96GB of storage. Both case variants have a 1,700mAh battery built-in, as well.

In terms of design, the Space Pack looks almost identical to the company’s Juice Pack line of cases. Designed for the iPhone 5/5s, the case has two speaker cut outs in the front, and a button on the back to show how much battery you have left. It will be available in a silver and black model.


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Griffin debuts new ‘Merchant’ iPhone 5/5s case with Square reader integration

Avatar for Jan 5 2014 - 9:44 am PT
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Griffin and Square have teamed up to offer the first official iPhone case designed to protect your iPhone while accepting payments with the popular credit card reader.

The Merchant case features non-slip sides making it easier to keep a secure grip on your iPhone when swiping cards and accepting signatures. If your iPhone should happen to fall the silicone case will absorb some of the impact hopefully keeping your iPhone safe and sound. It also protects your phone’s internal components by “eliminating swivel and excess strain on your iPhone’s headphone jack” thanks to its custom-molded design. An integrated slot located on the back of the case conveniently stores your Square reader when the work day ends. A Square reader is included to help jumpstart new businesses and expand current ones.

The Merchant case is compatible with the iPhone 5/5s and is scheduled to ship in 1-2 weeks. It’s available for preorder starting today with a list price of $19.99. For a more permanent POS solution be sure to checkout the Square iPad Stand.

Features:

  • Protective silicone case keeps your iPhone safe; included Square Reader allows you to accept credit card payments on the go.
  • Molded silicone case protects your iPhone from bumps and drops
  • Easy-grip, non-slip texture
  • Card guide aligns the credit card and your Square Reader for easy, consistent card swipes every time
  • Stores your Square Reader when not in use
  • A Works with Square™ product
  • App requires iOS 6.0 or later
  • Download Square Register app and learn more about Square at www.squareup.com.

Best Buy offering 16GB iPhone 5s for $125, 5c for free on all carriers for a limited time

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jan 2 2014 - 8:48 am PT
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Best Buy just sent over word that it will be holding a special New Year’s sale this weekend on a number of products including significant discounts on iPhones. The retailer is dropping the cost of the 16GB iPhone 5s down to $124.99 from its usual $199 and the 16GB iPhone 5c will be available to pick up for free, both available through all major carriers. The sale lasts through Jan. 4 both in-store and online, and the prices for the discounted iPhones are already available through at least Best Buy online. 
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How to spend your iTunes credit this holiday season — the best apps and games for iPhone and iPad

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Dec 25 2013 - 7:30 am PT
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Whether you are just unwrapping a new iPhone or iPad or have received stacks of iTunes gift cards this holiday season, you are undoubtedly on the hunt for the best apps to fill up your shiny iOS devices. Read on for my recommendations of the best apps and games for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch for 2013.


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AAPL stock more than 3 percent up on China Mobile news

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 23 2013 - 7:32 am PT
1 Comment
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After the fall in Apple’s stock value when the China Mobile failed to materialise as expected on 18th December, yesterday’s news that the deal had finally been concluded sent the stock shooting back up again, having climbed more than 3 percent at the time of writing (it was up 4% in pre-market trading but has settled).

With the WSJ having reported that 18th December was the day, the market was clearly jittery when nothing materialized. Everything had appeared to be in place: regulatory approval, Apple putting the handsets on sale in China on the opening weekend, China Mobile posters, a pre-order website, in-store displays – and 4G service up-and-running on schedule … 
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