• apple,  apple store,  att,  iphone,  sprint,  verizon

    iPhone 5 First Weekend Sales Top Five Million

    September 24, 2012 /

    Not bad for three days of sales.

    CUPERTINO, California—September 24, 2012—Apple® today announced it has sold over five million of its new iPhone® 5, just three days after its launch on September 21, and more than 100 million iOS devices have been updated with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system. iPhone 5 is available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK, and will be available in 22 more countries on September 28 and more than 100 countries by the end of the year. Demand for iPhone 5 exceeded the initial supply and while the majority of pre-orders have been shipped to customers, many are scheduled to be shipped in October.

    “Demand for iPhone 5 has been incredible and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “While we have sold out of our initial supply, stores continue to receive iPhone 5 shipments regularly and customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough iPhone 5s for everyone.”

    iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, completely redesigned to feature a stunning new 4-inch Retina™ display; an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance; and ultrafast wireless technology*—all while delivering even better battery life.**

    * LTE is available through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks, check with your carrier for details.
    ** Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

    [Via Apple PR…]

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  • apple,  editorial,  iphone,  rumors,  scuffgate

    Editorial: iPhone 5 “Scuffgate”, Really?

    September 24, 2012 /
    Via BGR.com
    Ok, I think that this is a bit much.  The iPhone 5 was released this past Friday and customers are already getting their pitchforks out for “Scuffgate”.
    What is scuffgate?  That is this year’s “major design flaw” after the iPhone 4’s “antennagate.”
    Oh my God!  Yes, if you take a sharp object and start scraping it on the back of your iPhone 5, yes, it’s going to get scratched!  Duh!
    Yes, the anodized aluminum coating is going to wear off over the normal use life of the iPhone 5 if you chose to use it without a case.  That’s to be expected.  Don’t like your gear getting banged up, knocked around, or nicked?  Put it in a case.
    Shove your caseless iPhone in your jeans pocket with your lose change, rings, or car keys? Yup, it’ll get scratched up.
    You took a sharp metal object, say a Liquidmetal SIM card tray pin, and rubbed the sharp end on the back of your new black iPhone 5 you say?  Yup, it’s going to get scratched up!  What were you expecting would happen?
    Come on people, the iPad is “magical,” not the iPhone.  The iPhone 5 also doesn’t have a “molecular bonded shell” like KITT had in the 1980’s TV show, “Knight Rider.”
    People who are opening up the box an taking their iPhone out for the first time and finding scratches and nicks in the metal casing, yes, those people have legitimate complaints.  People taking sharp objects to the unprotected metal plating don’t.
    Via AppleInsider.com
    Ok, lets try to put this in perspective.  You go out and buy a new car.  Are you going to take the keys and rub them, sharp side to the paint, down the side of your new car?  No!  Why not? Because it will scratch the paint! So, no, of course you’re not going to do that.  And if you did, you can’t go running back to the deal and demand a refund.  They know you did it.  Same thing applies here.
    To be fair, I’m not defending Apple.  If they are shipping out iPhone 5 handsets that have paint chips, nicks, or other types of scratches or defects in the paint or metal band around the phone, they should be fixing it.  Me?  I’m a use it in a case kind of guy, because, honestly, I don’t like my gear getting all scratched up.  To get the iPhone 5 you had to either sign a 2-year contract with your wireless provider or shelled out $300+ to get the phone off contract so you really need to take care of the hardware.
    Let’s lighten up on the gear, ok, folks?  This stuff isn’t indestructible.
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  • apple,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Apple EarPods Unboxing

    September 21, 2012 /

    I was at the Grand Central Terminal Apple Store this evening and I picked up a pair of the new EarPods.

    I know what you’re thinking, “I hate Apple’s ear buds!”  Ok, that’s fine, but I actually like them, so I’m OK spending the $29.99 for the redesigned EarPods.  I find them even more comfortable to wear than the previous generations and the sound quality is better than the ear buds that came with my iPhone 4S last year.  That said, if you are serious about your music, don’t even bother with the stock earbuds and get yourself some quality earbuds or over the ear headphones.  You’ll be glad you did.

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  • apple,  ios,  iphone,  retail

    Apple 5th Ave Store on iPhone 5 Eve

    September 21, 2012 /

    I was in Manhattan late last night/early this morning to try to get a few pictures of the massive glass cube that marks Apple’s 5th Ave 24-hour retail location.  What I was greeted by was Apple employees getting ready to launch the iPhone 5 at 8am Friday morning.

    As you can see from the photos, the iconic glass cube is shrouded in a black curtain.  Before big launch events, Apple tends to block out the windows while they are setting things up.  In the case of the 5th Ave store, the whole above ground structure is cloaked.

    While it ruined my chance at an evening shot of the store, you can see that people are getting in line, NYC police are on the scene.  While I didn’t get a picture of them, street vendors are selling hot dogs and the such and a local news crew is on hand too.

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  • app store,  apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Apple Updates Many of Their iOS Apps

    September 20, 2012 /

    Along side of today’s iOS 6 software release, Apple also updated many of their iOS applications today. Immediately after installing iOS 6 on my iPad, I launched the App Store and was greeted by a dozen updates.

    Once you’ve installed iOS 6 on your current model iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, make sure you head over to the App Store and install the latest software updates for your applications.  Doing so will provide you with new features and continued stability and compatibility with your new operating system.

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Apple iOS 6 is Now Available for Download

    September 19, 2012 /

     At about mid-day today, Apple made the iOS 6 software update for current model iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches available for download.

    To install the software, you can connect your supported iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to a Wi-Fi network and download the software update over the air.

    The over the air update can be started by tapping:
    Settings > General > Software Update

    For the more traditional crowd, you can connect your supported iDevice to your Mac or Windows PC running iTunes 10.7 and download and install the software update using your sync cable.

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch

    Apple iOS 6 Set to Arrive Today

    September 19, 2012 /

    iOS 6, the next major operating system update for Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices, is scheduled to arrive today.

    iOS 6 includes a completely new Maps application, replacing the Maps offering that was powered by Google data and has been around on the iPhone since it was released in 2007.

    Apple is also upgrading the features and capabilities of their personal assistant, Siri.

    Also included in the iOS 6 update is Facebook integration similar to last year’s Twitter integration, the ability to share your Photo Stream with the people you choose.

    Passbook is Apple’s new tickets and “rewards cards” system that has the potential to become a big hit with customers and retailers if Apple turns it into a full fledged alternative to Near Field Communications (NFC) payment systems being offered by by Google and others.

    The Phone application has been enhanced with some much needed features on call management when you are unable to answer the call right away – like when you are sitting in a meeting.  Something that I have been waiting a long time for because this is a feature that my 2007 Palm Treo 700 had.

    The Camera app now has a cool panorama photo mode that helps you take some amazing panoramic photos.  I’m actually looking forward to playing with this feature during outdoor fall activities.  It should make for some very nice photos.

    Apple has also included updates to Safari, Mail, and FaceTime.

    To learn more about the major new features in iOS 6, check out the Apple website.

    The iOS 6 upgrade will be available for the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 3GS; for the iPad 3 and the iPad 2; and the 5th and 4th generation iPod touch.

    The iOS 6 upgrade is a free upgrade that will be available as an update delivered over-the-air or a download package when you sync your device over the wire with your Mac or Windows PC running iTunes 10.7.  iTunes 10.7 can be downloaded directly from Apple.

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  • apple,  apple store,  att,  ios,  iphone,  sprint,  verizon

    Apple: iPhone 5 Pre-Orders Top 2 Million in 24-Hours

    September 18, 2012 /

    Earlier today, Apple announced that pre-orders for the iPhone 5, which goes on sale Friday, September 21, sold over 2 million units in the first 24-hours of being available for online ordering.  At this point, if you want an iPhone 5 on launch day, and weren’t able to secure a pre-order slot, you’ll be waiting in line at an Apple Store or at a wireless carrier’s retail location near you.  Apple’s press release appears below.

    CUPERTINO, California—September 17, 2012—Apple® today announced pre-orders of its iPhone® 5 topped two million in just 24 hours, more than double the previous record of one million held by iPhone 4S. Demand for iPhone 5 exceeds the initial supply and while the majority of pre-orders will be delivered to customers on September 21, many are scheduled to be delivered in October. iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, completely redesigned to feature a stunning new 4-inch Retina™ display; an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance; and ultrafast wireless technology*—all while delivering even better battery life.**

    “iPhone 5 pre-orders have shattered the previous record held by iPhone 4S and the customer response to iPhone 5 has been phenomenal,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet, the most beautiful product we’ve ever made, and we hope customers love it as much as we do.”

    iPhone 5 comes with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new user features including: an all new Maps app with Apple-designed cartography, turn-by-turn navigation and an amazing new Flyover™ view; Facebook integration for Contacts and Calendar, with the ability to post directly from Notification Center; Passbook®, the simplest way to get all your passes in one place; new Siri® features, including support for more languages, easy access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings;*** Siri and Facebook-enabled apps like Photos, Safari® and Maps; and Shared Photo Streams via iCloud®.

    Pricing & Availability
    iPhone 5 will be available at 356 Apple retail stores in the US beginning at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, September 21. Every customer who buys an iPhone 5 at an Apple retail store will be offered free Personal Setup service, helping them customize their iPhone 5 by setting up email, showing them new apps from the App Store and more, so they’ll be up and running with their new iPhone before they leave the store.

    iPhone 5 comes in either white & silver or black & slate, and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model and $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the 64GB model. iPhone 5 will be available from the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, select Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 4S will also be available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 4 will be available for free with a two-year contract.****

    * LTE is available through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks, check with your carrier for details.
    ** Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
    *** Not all features are supported in all countries.
    **** Availability varies by carrier.

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  • apple,  ios,  iphone

    Apple Sends Out Sept 12 Event Invitations

    September 5, 2012 /

    Yesterday, Apple sent out media and press invitations to a September 12 event that is widely expected to be the unveiling of the next generation iPhone, the so called ‘iPhone 5’.  The final golden master version of iOS 6, which was previewed at this year’s World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) is also expected.

    As you can see from the graphic, the date is 9/12 and the ’12’ is casting the shadow of a ‘5’ indicating the ‘iPhone 5’ that has been rumored for months now.

    AppleInsider.com, who received an invitation, writes:

    “The invitations sent out read “It’s almost here,” with a large number 12. Below the date of the event is a shadow cast with a number “5,” implying the unveiling of Apple’s next-generation iPhone, the successor to the iPhone 4S.
    The event will be held next Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Calif.”

    [Via AppleInsider.com…]

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  • astraware,  atari,  ea games,  gameloft,  games,  hp,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod touch,  palm,  touchpad

    Labor Day Mobile Games Sale Is ON!!

    September 1, 2012 /

    It’s Labor Day weekend here in the United States and that means there there are some good sales going on for some great mobile games – to help you NOT labor.

    Gameloft and Electronic Arts have many games in Apple’s App Store on sale for $0.99.

    Atari and APPODAY are running a promotion on the Atari’s Greatest Hits game for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.  You can download the complete 99-game pack for FREE between August 31 – September 1!  Better get cracking, as this offer expires TODAY!  Once you download the games to your iOS device, you can have unlimited play until you delete the Atari’s Greatest Hits games off your device. Once you do, you have to pay $9.99 for all the games, or $0.99 for a game pack.

    Astraware HP TouchPad Word Games on Sale

    Astraware, a long time creator of mobile games is running a promotion for their HP TouchPad webOS word games. For more details, checkout the HP App Catalog or the Astraware HP TouchPad word games website.

    Thanks to RobT for the tip!

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