iPhone

Update: The analysts were right to be optimistic, but not optimistic enough

As we wait for Apple to announce its Q4 results in this afternoon’s earnings call, more than half of the analysts included in Fortune’s survey expect the company to beat its high-end guidance of $37B. The average is driven up by the amateurs, who come in at $37.38B, while the professionals expect just a touch under the top end at $36.95B.

Predictions on both revenues and earnings do vary markedly, however. While the consensus view is that year-on-year revenues will be up 3 percent and earnings down 6 percent, even among the professionals the earnings estimates span a 15 percent range.

Top: FBN’s Shelby Seyrafi: $39.18 billion (up 9% year over year)
Bottom: Cantor Fitzgerald’s Brian White: $34.57 billion (down 4%)

Apple beating its own guidance wouldn’t have been remarkable in the days when Apple gave absurdly pessimistic guidance and then blew it away, but would be impressive since Cook started offering realistic ranges …
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U.S. Cellular, the country’s fifth largest carrier, to begin selling iPad Air Nov. 8

Mark Gurman Oct 25 2013 - 2:35 pm PT

U.S. Cellular has informed us that it will begin carrying the iPad Air on November 8th. This morning, we reported that multiple regional cellular providers in the United States will begin carrying the iPad Air “in the coming weeks,” but U.S. Cellular’s announcement is more notable in that the carrier is the nation’s fifth largest and because a firm launch date has been provided.

U.S. Cellular today announced that iPad Air with Wi-Fi + Cellular will be available online on November 8. U.S. Cellular will offer iPad Air with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to its fast 4G LTE network with speeds up to ten times faster than 3G.

The carrier promises “attractive data plans” on its 4G LTE network. Last week, we reported that U.S. Cellular, too, will begin selling the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on November 8th.

Regional U.S. carriers begin announcing iPad Air availability in ‘coming weeks’

Mark Gurman Oct 25 2013 - 8:40 am PT

Ahead of next week’s iPad Air launch, dozens of countries across the world, regional carriers within the United States have begun announcing their plans for carrying the LTE-capable version of the tablet. While major carriers AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and Sprint will begin selling the iPad Air on Friday, November 1st, these smaller, region-specific networks say that they will start selling the device in the “coming weeks.”

So far, Bluegrass Cellular and C Spire are the two regional carriers to announce iPad Air plans, and other carriers will likely share their own announcements in the coming days and weeks. Bluegrass Cellular operates in Kentucky while C Spire is based in Mississippi. Both of these carriers began carrying the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c earlier this month alongside several other regional providers…

Tweetbot 3 becomes top paid app in several countries, developers discuss future enhancements

Mark Gurman Oct 25 2013 - 8:25 am PT

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Since its launch yesterday, popular Twitter client Tweetbot 3 for iPhone has topped the paid app charts in several App Store-supported countries across the world. A look at AppAnnie’s data indicates that the new application is the top paid app overall in 35 countries, and it is the top app in the Social Networking category in 70 countries. As Tweetbot developer Paul Haddad notes, these impressive launch day statistics are evidence for why developers should charge for major app updates…

Apple lists countries where new iCloud Keychain feature is available

Mark Gurman Oct 25 2013 - 8:07 am PT

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Apple has updated its support website with a new list of countries in which iCloud Keychain is supported. iCloud Keychain was announced at WWDC 2013 earlier this year, and the feature allows users to create complex passwords and sync them via iCloud to their supported devices. The feature also allows users to store their credit card information in order to make payment processing online a faster process. The feature launched earlier this week with OS X Mavericks and iOS 7.0.3. We will be publishing a thorough how-to guide for setting up and utilizing iCloud Keychain in the coming days. The full list of currently supported countries is available below:

New Space Gray iPad mini quietly begins hitting Apple Store shelves

Mark Gurman Oct 24 2013 - 6:27 pm PT

Silently announced alongside the new iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display, Apple has begun selling a Space Gray version of the first-generation, non-Retina display iPad mini at its physical retail stores.

Sources say that the model is now available via several Apple Stores, but not every store. Interested customers should call their store to ensure availability…

Tweetbot 3 for iPhone arrives: gorgeous new design, same great features

Mark Gurman Oct 24 2013 - 3:03 pm PT

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For many years, Tweetbot from Tapbots has been my favorite Twitter app and definitely my most used app on iOS. The application includes several powerful features wrapped up in a quick, smooth interface. However, the design began to look dated with the launch of iOS 7, Apple’s revamped iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch operating system, last month. For several months, the Tapbots crew has been hard at work on a complete, end-to-end redesign of their flagship app, and it is available now via the App Store. Check out my complete review…

BlackBerry Messenger for iOS updated with bug fixes for iOS 7.0.3

Mark Gurman Oct 23 2013 - 7:22 pm PT

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Today, BlackBerry has updated its BBM app for iPhone and iPod touch with bug fixes, performance improvements, and some minor interface tweaks. Notably, the update also includes a fix for a font-related bug for users running the recently released iOS 7.0.3. BBM officially began rolling out on iOS and Android earlier this week. The update is available on the App Store and comes on the same day that BlackBerry announced 10 million users of BBM on non-BlackBerry devices.

Evernote app updated with customized homescreen layout, mapping & improved saved searches

Ben Lovejoy Oct 23 2013 - 5:39 am PT

The popular Evernote productivity app was updated yesterday to offer the ability to customize the homescreen, view notes on a map and improvements to saved searches.

Premium users can now change the order of the homescreen buttons, or remove altogether the ones you never use. Just hit the Edit button at the bottom of the screen. Users can also view notes in a map view or by tapping on the name of a location (handy for notes on particular places, probably less so for unrelated notes you happened to take in the back of a cab somewhere) and create and remove saves searches directly from the search results.

If you haven’t yet tried Evernote, check out our in-depth guide. Evernote 7.1 is available on iTunes as a free app, with in-app upgrade to get premium features.

Microsoft offers free iPhone app for its subscription-based Dynamics CRM enterprise service

Ben Lovejoy Oct 23 2013 - 4:23 am PT

Microsoft’s Dynamics CRM, a subscription-based customer relationship management tool aimed at small & medium enterprises, is now available on the iPhone via a new app.

The cloud-based service aims to help businesses identify and manage sales opportunities, and track progress from opportunity to sale. The iPhone app provides users with the information needed to prepare for a sales appointment, and allows on-the-spot updating of notes, tasks, contacts, accounts, leads and opportunities.

The service costs £28.70 per user per month.

Apple Store goes down for updates in run-up to launch event (Update: iWork on iCloud goes down as well)

Ben Lovejoy Oct 22 2013 - 6:05 am PT

As always in the run up to a launch event, the Apple Store has been taken offline for updates ahead of today’s iPad-focused event. Apple has also taken down iWork for iCloud, promising that it will be back in a few hours with “great new features.”

Additionally, Apple has updated its homepage with a promo for the event …
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BlackBerry announces BBM for iPhone & Android available today with reservation system

Jordan Kahn Oct 21 2013 - 10:04 am PT

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Update: The app is now live on the App Store.

After the BBM apps prematurely started rolling out for iPhone and Android and were abruptly pulled late last month, BlackBerry finally confirmed today that it’s officially kicking off the roll out of the apps. In a blog post, the company announced that the BBM apps will be available for both iPhone and Android within the next few hours through the App Store, Google Play, and Samsung’s App Store:

The demand for BBM on Android and BBM on iPhone continues to be amazing. About six million people signed up for information about BBM at BBM.com. As you know, in just seven hours, about one million Android users were using the unreleased version of BBM for Android. What you don’t know is that more than one million people have found creative ways to “side load” BBM on their iPhone. This is incredible.

While the app is available to download starting today, it will utilize a staggered rollout that will see users reserving a spot in line by entering their email address. BlackBerry says users that signed up previously through its website can start using the app immediately, but we’ll have to wait to see how many people sign up today in order to estimate how long the queue will be.
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New iWatch concept brings iOS 7 to Nike Fuel Band-style accessory

Zac Hall Oct 21 2013 - 9:57 am PT

30 Comments

(via Dribbble)

A very cool iWatch concept made by Thomas Bogner takes a very different approach to the highly anticipated and rumored wearable computer by Apple: Bogner imagines the device borrowing influence from the Nike Fuel Band with iOS 7 design language and features.

We recently ran a poll asking readers to vote on the best of various iWatch concepts, most of which look more like a traditional watch than something Apple created, but a much smarter Nike Fueld Band-style wearable computer could just what the doctor ordered.

Bogner’s iWatch concept features Siri-style voice input for apps like Mail, Messages, and Calandar, and Music control, and features integrated Nike fitness software like Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch.
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Boost Mobile to Offer iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on November 8

Seth Weintraub Oct 21 2013 - 5:20 am PT

2 Comments

Along with US Cellular who announced on Friday, Boost Mobile will now also offer the iPhone 5s and 5c on November 8th according to short press release this morning (below).

Boost is a Sprint Co. pre-paid sister site of Virgin, which also announced iPhone 5s and 5c availability last month with $100 off retail pricing and $30/month plans. Boost Mobile iPhone media (above) was leaked last month.

Nine other regional carriers have announced iPhone 5s/5c availability on November 1st.
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Why iPhone longevity means iOS carrier activation share doesn’t resemble sales

Ben Lovejoy Oct 18 2013 - 7:20 am PT

21 Comments

There was a lot of confusion yesterday when Verizon’s results were discussed, with more than one commentator confusing activations and sales. For the record, what Verizon announced was that 51 percent of its activations were iPhone, not 51 percent of its phone sales.

If you doubt the importance of this distinction, I have one word for you: T-Mobile. As of 11th April, the carrier had two million iPhone activations. Its iPhone sales as of the same date? Zero: T-Mobile didn’t start selling iPhones until the following day.

The difference between the two numbers is particularly dramatic with high-end handsets like the iPhone …
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Facebook for iOS updated with comment editing, photos, and more

Zac Hall Oct 17 2013 - 1:33 pm PT

9 Comments

Facebook for iOS received an update today bringing the ability to edit posts and comments directly from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Previously, this feature was only available from the desktop version of the website. The update also brings another desktop feature: the ability to add photos to comments. All in all, version 6.6 appears to bring the app closer to feature parity with the desktop, but a few of these features like status and comment editing appear to be absent from the iPad app for now. Read the full change log and see examples below:
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J.D. Power continues to find iPhone rates top in smartphone satisfaction

Zac Hall Oct 17 2013 - 11:36 am PT

J.D. Power released its second Wireless Smartphone Satisfaction Study for the year and continues to find Apple leading the charts.

While Apple has topped this chart ten consecutive times in the last five years, AT&T has proved it can maintain its lead in overall carrier customer satisfaction we reported earlier this year. Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless trail AT&T in customer satisfaction overall, but among iPhone users specifically Verizon is most prized.

Here come the iPhone 5s ads, touting Touch ID and Gold color option

Jordan Kahn Oct 17 2013 - 10:33 am PT

4 Comments

Apple appears to be changing gears from its previous Designed by Apple in California campaign following the release of the new iPhones. Apple’s latest full page ad is appearing in this week’s edition of the New Yorker and this time around focuses on the new fingerprint sensor and Touch ID feature on the gold iPhone 5s. The text from the ad reads:

Your finger is the password.

Touch ID was created not only to protect all the important and personal information on your phone, but to be so easy to use, you’ll actually use it. Its state-of-the-art technology learns your unique fingerprint, so you can unlock your phone or even authorize purchases with just a simple touch.Touch ID. Only on iPhone 5s.

Apple’s previous Designed by Apple in California ads made a point of focusing on on its ecosystem and the people that use it rather than specific products, but it’s clear the focus has changed slightly now that it has new iPhones on the market. Interestingly, the ad specifically notes Touch ID as specific to iPhone 5s. This particular magazine issue is next week’s version, just one day before the new iPads are announced. Would Apple note Touch ID is exclusive to the iPhone 5s in the same week that the iPads are revamped if the iPads will be getting the feature?

(via @samradford & MacRumors)

eBay hires Apple’s e-commerce head R.J. Pittman as its Chief Product Officer

Mark Gurman Oct 17 2013 - 9:30 am PT

eBay has hired Apple’s head of e-commerce R.J. Pittman as its new Chief Product Officer and Senior Vice President, the online payments company tells us today. At eBay, Pittman will lead marketplace development and product strategy, and he will report directly to eBay President Devin Wenig. At Apple, Pittman has served as the brains behind Apple’s online sales platforms. Before Apple, Pittman was a Product Manager at Google.

As he describes on his LinkedIn profile:

iPhone takes 51% share of smartphone activations at Verizon in Q3, unit sales flat compared to Q2

Benjamin Mayo Oct 17 2013 - 5:45 am PT

Graph by Benedict Evans.

Verizon has just reported their results for the third quarter, with smartphone sales topping 7.6 million units. While the press release does not disclose details about iPhone performance, on Verizon’s conference call, the company announced that iPhones were responsible for just over half of all Verizon’s smartphone activations, compared to about 43% in Q2. It is important to remember the distinction between activations and sales, with activations including passed-down devices to spouses or children as well as the strong iPhone reseller market.

Apple slightly increases prices of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in France

Benjamin Mayo Oct 17 2013 - 2:48 am PT

iPhone 5s prices on the French Apple Online Store, yesterday and today.

First noted by iGen.FR, Apple has slightly raised the prices of the iPhone 5s and 5c in France. As shown above, the increase ranges between €10 for the 16 GB model, €12 for the 32 GB model and €18 for the 64 GB model. In terms of dollar value, when converted, these changes are equivalent to a rise of about $13 – $25.

The same price increase applies to the 5c, again dependent on capacity, going from €599 to €609 for the 16 GB model and from €699 to €711 for the 32 GB variant.

Thinner ZAGG backlit keyboard case for upcoming iPad 5 appears

Mark Gurman Oct 16 2013 - 3:24 pm PT

Ahead of Apple’s October 22nd iPad-focused event, major accessory maker ZAGG seems to be getting its offerings in order for the new Apple tablets. The company posted a listing for an iPad 5 keyboard case on its website this week, and the images for the case clearly show an iPad with a thinner-bezel. The case features backlit keys, white and black color options, and comes in at 7.6mm. While this case does not provide any breakthrough details about Apple’s new iPad, it does demonstrate that case makers expect that the iPad 5 will look just like the several leaks over the course of last many months. The above case launched for the current iPad mini earlier this year.