The written musings of a long-time Apple //e and Macintosh tech nerd. Opinions are my own.
As Apple began selling the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C to customers this morning, iOS 7.0.1 was also rolling out to all the newly activated iPhones.
Starting at 3:00am, 12:00am Pacific, this morning, Apple started online sales of the new iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. Apple Stores around the country open in just over 90 minutes to begin selling what I’m sure will be a blockbuster success for Apple.
2013 will be remembered as the first year that Apple released two iPhones simultaneously. The iPhone 5C is a redesigned iPhone 5 that includes a new polycarbonate colored shell similar to the iPod touch. The iPhone 5S, sporting it’s new Touch ID sensor, M7 motion co-processor, and all new, 64-bit A7 processor is a mobile power house sporting the same processing power as the Macintosh.
If you are looking for an iPhone 5C today, there is a good chance you will be able to find one in the color and capacity that you want. The yellow iPhone 5C, however, might be a little more difficult to find as it appears to already be quantity constrained when ordered online.
People looking for the new flagship iPhone 5S should start today off by planning on being disappointed today. If the media is anywhere near accurate, we should be prepared for SKU stock outs very quickly today. Demand for new iPhones is up this year, however, the new Touch ID sensor has been widely reported as bedeviling Apple’s manufacturing partners and the yield rate on iPhone 5S models is much lower then Apple would have liked. Reports around the Internet are also stating that the white and gold iPhone 5S models are being produced in a 3:1 ratio to the black/space grey model, meaning that white iPhones 5S will be harder to find, and reports from around the world where iPhone 5S is already on sale are stating that the gold iPhone 5S is virtually impossible to find.
So, what are we Apple fans suppose to do? I’m preparing for not being able to get a new iPhone 5S today. I’m going to attempt to go to a local Apple Store this afternoon when I get out of work. Sure I’ll be taking a half day, but after being on sale for 5+ hours by the time I get there, I’m expecting stock outs on the 32GB space grey model.
If you can’t stand not getting a new iPhone as soon as possible, or can’t get to an Apple Store this morning, you might want to just order the unit online at Apple.com. Shipping times for 32GB units are still showing as 1-3 days.
The iPhone 5S pricing starts at $199 for a 16GB model and goes up $100 successively for the 32GB and 64GB models. The iPhone 5C pricing starts at $99 for the 16GB model and $199 for the 32GB model. Apple is also keeping the iPhone 4S around in an 8GB model for free when you sign a 2-year contract with your wireless carrier. Starting today, all four major US wireless carriers, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile will begin selling the new iPhones.
The iPhone 5 models released last year have entered retirement today, and have been replaced by the iPhone 5C in Apple’s three tier features model.
All three iPhone models will run Apple’s iOS 7.
Whatever you end up doing, I hope you are able to find the iPhone you are looking for today, if not very soon.
Happy iPhone Day!
A short while ago, Apple posted the General Availability, or “GA”, versions of iOS 7.0 and iTunes 11.1.
Before upgrading, we encourage you to read our Getting Ready for iOS 7 guide.
You can download iOS 7.0 to your iDevices by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update and clicking the “Download & Install” button. The 768MB installer package will download and install. The download times will vary depending on the speed of your device’s Internet connection.
You can also download the latest release of iTunes, version 11.1, from the Mac App Store, Apple Software Update on Windows PCs, or from the Apple iTunes website.
Later today, Apple will be releasing iOS 7 to everyone. Here’s a list of things you need to know and do to get ready for today’s upgrade.
1. iOS 7 is a major user interface/user experience overhaul. While much of iOS will work the same as it always has, all of the graphical elements of the OS have been changed. Your iDevice will look different after this upgrade.
2. Update and upgrade your apps before upgrading to iOS 7. This step is important to ensure the best experience with iOS 7 and software compatibility.
2a. Upgrade to the latest release of iTunes for Mac OS X or Windows either by using the Mac App Store, the Apple Software Update control panel on Windows PCs, or using the download link on the Apple iTunes page.
2b. Upgrade your iOS apps.
Over the past month there has been a steady stream (read: a monsoon-like flood) of app updates from both Apple and third-party developers. These updates range from minor compatibly updates to major application upgrades to take advantage of the many new features in iOS 7. Install all of your iOS app updates to get the best possible experience today. Also, keep in mind that some third-party application developers will be releasing their iOS 7 compatible software as a completely new application, which, will require you to repurchase the software title. This may not seem fair after we have gotten use to free software upgrades. App developers need to eat too and they have been working hard to make the best possible application for us. Repurchasing their great software is a small price to pay.
3. Backup your iDevice BEFORE you upgrade.
I can’t stress this point enough. Luck favors the prepared and it is in your best interest to do this step before downloading and installing iOS 7 on the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch you rely on everyday. The last time I upgraded my everyday iPhone to a new version of iOS without backing up first was the first time that the upgrade failed and I had to hard reset my phone. Luckily, I only lost a few unimportant text messages, but it could have been worse.
3a. The easiest way to back up your iDevice if you are on a good Wi-Fi network is to use the iCloud backup feature. Navigate to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup and tap the “Back Up Now” button.
3b. If you prefer to backup to iTunes on your local Mac or PC, then launch iTunes and then connect your iDevice via the provided charge and sync cable. Your iOS device will be automatically backed up.
4. Plugin and charge your iDevice before starting the upgrade. If possible, leave the charging cable connected for the entire duration of the upgrade process.
5. Upgrade your iOS device to iOS 7.
5a. The easiest way to upgrade to iOS 7 is to use the over-the-air, or OTA, method. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. When your device is ready to upgrade, you will see the upgrade now message.
5b. Again, if you are a “I want to use iTunes” person, make sure you’ve upgraded to the latest version of iTunes before starting. Then connect your iDevice to your Mac or PC via the provided charge and sync cable. You will be prompted to upgrade to iOS 7. After the upgrade package downloads, the upgrade process on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch will begin.
Important Things to Keep in Mind
The iOS 7 upgrade process is one way! You will not be able to (easily) downgrade back to iOS 6. If you aren’t sure you are ready of the new look and feel of iOS 7 it is probably a good idea to wait until you can get down to an Apple Store and play with a demo unit with iOS 7 on it first.
iOS 7.0 is a major redesign of iOS 7. While there has been a rigorous beta test period where Apple and third-party developers have been testing and resolving bugs in the system there will still be problems here and there. If you are the type who doesn’t like “adventure” while using your iDevice will probably want to wait a few weeks for iOS 7.01. and 7.0.2 to be released. Apple is already testing those maintenance updates to iOS 7. I expect them to be released over the next 2-4 weeks, leading into the iPad event rumored to be October 15, which is when I expect Apple to release iOS 7.1.
If you are installing iOS 7 on an iPhone or iPad that has been issued to you by your company’s IT department, you will want to hold off upgrading until they have had a chance to test the new software with the existing software and back end servers to ensure that you have a good experience.
I hope you found this guide helpful and enjoy iOS 7 later today!
Apple promises to brighten our day. I sure hope so.
T minus 159 hours and counting.