Apple v Samsung fight for mobile profits intensifies

By Ed Sutherland on May 8, 2013

For some time, whenever Android proponents argued for the platform’s dominance based on handsets shipped, Apple fans would counter by pointing out the iPhone was tops in profits.

Indeed, a new report shows Apple had more than half of all mobile profits during the first quarter of 2013, leading Android handset rival Samsung.

According to Canaccord Genuity, the iPhone maker came away from this year’s first period with 57 percent of mobile phone profits, despite having just eight percent of the worldwide handset market share.

By contrast, South Korea’s Samsung – which leads in market share – earned just 43 percent of the share of profits. However, the two companies could soon switch positions. The analyst firm claims iPhone sales will be weak in the upcoming June quarter, overshadowed by profits fueled by Samsung’s new Galaxy S4… Read More

 

T-Mobile’s new iPhone 5 ad uses ‘Intertubes’ metaphor

By Christian Zibreg on May 8, 2013

In his now legendary attempt to criticize an amendment that would have prohibited service providers from charging for a tiered Internet structure, former Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens in 2006 likened the web to a series of tubes. “The Internet is not a big truck,” he famously said, “It’s a series of tubes.”

Tapping that meme, T-Mobile USA on Wednesday posted its third iPhone 5 commercial that literally depicts its network as a sewage pipe which pumps out twice as many gak compared to its rivals. The message couldn’t be clearer: T-Mobile’s pipes aren’t as clogged up as its competitors’ are.

I’ll be revisiting that commercial in a year or so to check how clogged up T-Mobile’s tube gets after data-hungry smartphone users crowd its LTE network. As for the commercial, T-Mobile won the Internet for today. Your video is right after the break… Read More

 

Sharp expected to begin iPhone 5S display production in June

By Cody Lee on May 8, 2013

Earlier this year, it was believed that the iPhone 5S would go into production in March ahead of an early summer release. But after rumors of manufacturing issues began to circulate, the handset’s expected arrival time was pushed back to the fall.

And a new report out of the east this morning corroborates that theory. A Japanese newspaper is reporting that Sharp, one of Apple’s primary panel partners, is gearing up to begin mass production of LCD displays for the iPhone 5S next month… Read More

 

Apple patents smart audio splitter

By Ed Sutherland on May 7, 2013

Many of us have shared a pair of earbuds with a friend. The problem crops up when you enjoy rocking out at max volume while your friend enjoys a more modest audio level. Enter Apple with what’s essentially an intelligent audio splitter.

Instead of enduring the default sound level of the iPhone or iPod, an adapter envisioned by Apple would allow you to customize your individual audio, according to a patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Tuesday.

Additionally, the headphone splitter would permit two people to use built-in mics to speak over the soundtrack, opening up some wild possibilities with gaming… Read More

 

Verizon to start offering $100 off iPhone 5 this month

By Cody Lee on May 6, 2013

T-Mobile must have rattled some cages when it introduced its $99 iPhone 5 last month, because we’re starting to see more competitive pricing from the other carriers. Sprint is currently offering $100 off the iPhone 5 for new customers, and it looks like Verizon is about to launch a promotion of its own… Read More

 

Accessories makers embracing Bluetooth to side-step Lightning, AirPlay and Apple exclusivity

By Ed Sutherland on May 6, 2013

A growing trend by accessory makers to adopt wireless connections could disconnect Apple from a significant source of revenue. In a departure from the days of the iPod, where accessories such as speakers were designed with 30-pin connections fitting only Apple devices, add-on device manufacturers are have increasingly been turning to Bluetooth for some time to connect a growing number of mobile devices – many not made by Apple.

The reason for the transition includes the rise of Samsung, Amazon and other iPhone and iPad rivals, along with the feeling Apple kept secret from accessory makers its new Lightning connection. As a result, some of the largest accessory makers are turning to the wireless Bluetooth standard to avoid any more surprises from Apple, according to the New York Times… Read More

 

Apple releases iOS 6.1.4 for iPhone 5 with updated audio profile

By Cody Lee on May 2, 2013

Apple has, unexpectedly, released a new version of iOS this morning. The update brings the firmware to 6.1.4, and doesn’t appear to include any new features or changes other than an ‘updated audio profile.’

The new software is currently only available via OTA (over the air update), but it should be posted online shortly. As usual, jailbreakers will want to stay away from the update, as it will not work with evasi0n… Read More

 

TinyUmbrella updated with support for iOS 6.1.4

By Cody Lee on May 2, 2013

Earlier today, Apple unexpectedly released a new version of iOS. The update brought the firmware to version 6.1.4, and only included a single item in its change log: an updated audio profile for the iPhone 5.

Folks who are currently jailbroken on iOS 6.1.2 or lower should obviously stay away from the evasi0n-killing software. But for those of you who already updated, there’s a new version of TinyUmbrella out… Read More

 

AT&T will now give you $100 credit for your old smartphone

By Christian Zibreg on May 1, 2013

The nation’s second-largest carrier, AT&T, on Wednesday upgraded its cell phone trade-in program at its brick-and-mortar retail stores. The new terms incentivize customers to trade-in their old smartphone for one of the latest models and receive a $100 credit on-the-spot, which can be immediately redeemed against any AT&T smartphone or accessory purchase.

If you have an old iPhone or an Android phone that is less than three years old, the $100 trade-in credit lets you purchase a brand new iPhone 5 for just $99. Or, you could settle with an iPhone 4S wit zero bucks in upfront payment. By comparison, the entry-level 16GB iPhone 4S/5 normally sets you back $99/$199 after a two-year contract… Read More

 

Display shootout: iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S4

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 26, 2013

CEO Tim Cook during an earnings call re-iterated Apple very much remains focused on providing the highest quality mobile screens and argued his company would never compromise the experience by creating a Gorilla-sized iPhone with a subpar display. Specifically, Cook painted color reproduction, power consumption, quality and other factors determining the quality of a mobile screens as progressively suffering on larger displays.

“We would not ship a larger display iPhone while these trade-offs exist,” he said Tuesday. But is that really the case? Display wizards over at DisplayMate took Apple’s iPhone 5 and Samsung’s Galaxy S4 through a battery of tests putting the screens through their paces. The results are surprising… Read More

 

iOS device dashboard mounts by ProClip USA are top shelf

By Jim Gresham on Apr 26, 2013

Tired of fumbling around for your iPhone in the car? Why are we forced to pick up our device every time we hear a push notification? Why do we keep wasting money on suction cups and intrusive docking systems? ProClip USA does not know the answer to these questions, but it is providing a solution.

ProClip USA builds device holders for almost every make and model vehicle currently on the market. I stumbled across their website well over a year ago, but did not receive the opportunity to review a product until bumping into the team at CES in January.

Thankfully, they were kind enough to send over an iPhone 5 and iPad mini mount for my 2007 Nissan Altima. This review takes a quick look at installation and provides feedback about my experience with these two options… Read More

 

Case-Mate’s Signature collection combines luxe, glamour and tech

By Jim Gresham on Apr 25, 2013

Only a few hardware companies immediately come to mind when I think “Apple accessories” and Case-Mate is one of them. While browsing the new collection one morning at CES, the press rep walked me through their fanciful new collections. Correct me if I’m wrong, but just a short time back, I would not think “luxury” when I heard Case-Mate. I tend to envision plastic, but solid, durable cases, similar to the cases you would find on the early iPhone adopters devices. Perhaps something fun, or cute.

Well, the tides have turned and Case-Mate is now offering a completely new line of iPhone cases, flips, pouches, and sleeves. With new lines including Crafted, Refined, and Signature, the cute days are gone. Offering genuine leather and gem quality mother of pearl cases, luxe and glamour may be the new adjectives for Case-Mate.

Having just received the Signature Flip and Madison cases from a friend at Case-Mate, I gave them a run through for good measure. In this review we take a look at the new Case-Mate and determine if changing ways turned out for the better… Read More

 

Apple reportedly returned 5-8M iPhones to Foxconn due to quality issues

By Cody Lee on Apr 22, 2013

When Apple introduced the iPhone 5 last fall, it made sure to mention its complex manufacturing process. “Never before have we built a product with this extraordinary level of fit and finish,” Jony Ive said during a video on the handset.

The extra effort has obviously paid off, as the iPhone 5 has been very popular with consumers. But it’s also causing problems for Foxconn, Apple’s manufacturing partner, who continues to struggle with the device’s intricate production methods… Read More

 

Pre-orders for Nomad 3-inch USB-to-Lightning cable open, shipping in June

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 19, 2013

The three-inch Nomad Lightning cable made waves when it was announced back in November 2012. This handy little USB-to-Lighting accessory fits your key ring and comes to the rescue when you find yourself out and about with a dying iPhone and no charger in sight.

Originally a Kickstarter project, creators Kegan & Roberto developed the Nomad according to Apple’s strict requirements in order to earn the sought-after Lightning accessory certification. The Nomad cable is available for pre-order now, priced at $24.99 a pop (no shipments expected until June)… Read More

 

T-Mobile airs new iPhone 5 advertisement

By Jeff Benjamin on Apr 16, 2013

T-Mobile is wasting no time touting the fact that they finally have access to the world’s best smartphone. Can you blame them? This latest creative compares T-Mobile’s contract-less plans with the competition.

The spot features two iPhone 5′s: one surrounded by a series of mouse traps to represent being trapped within a competitor’s contract, and another, free of traps, representing T-Mobile’s new contract-free strategy. Read More

 

Customizable iPhone-controlled bionic hand arrives

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 15, 2013

Here’s CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta reporting on the latest on prosthetic technology: a pair of bionic hands controlled from an iPhone app. 34-year-old Jason Koger in 2008 had a brush with death when he got jolted with 7,200 volts of electricity.

Doctors had to amputate his both hands and he’s been trying out a variety of prosthetic hands ever since. Four years later, UK-based prosthetic developer Touch Bionics comes up with the i-Limb Ultra Revolution, an iPhone controlled bionic hand.

It offers “unparalleled dexterity and control, enabling wearers to more easily perform activities of daily living and thus increase their quality of life.” The video is right after the break… Read More

 

T-Mobile airs its inaugural iPhone ad

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 12, 2013

T-Mobile, the nation’s fourth-largest carrier, today finally gets to sell Apple’s iconic smartphone. We learned yesterday the Deutsche Telekom-owned telco has a massive ad blitz in the works to push the handset to the masses. And now, we just caught a glimpse of that campaign as T-Mobile starts airing its inaugural television commercial for the venerable iPhone… Read More

 

T-Mobile preps massive iPhone ad blitz, sales and availability tidbits surface

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 11, 2013

A well-informed publication has published some interesting details regarding T-Mobile’s upcoming iPhone launch due on Friday, April 12. The Deutsche Telekom-owned carrier is said to be pulling out all the stops with a massively aggressive advertising blitz as plugged-in sources claim that  T-Mobile made a major ad buy between 8:35 and 8:40 local time tomorrow evening.

And internal documents suggest that the carrier is dispersing at least 240,000 iPhone 5 units to company owned-retail stores for Friday morning. The carrier also confirmed the HTC One will be “coming soon” for $99 down payment and confirmed May 1 availability of the Galaxy S4 on May 1, but Apple watchers will no doubt be focused on first-day iPhone sales… Read More

 

Foxconn expectedly experiences sales lull amid seasonal iPhone decline

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 10, 2013

Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, assembles many Apple products, including iPhones and iPads.

And with an estimated 60 to 70 percent of its revenues owed to the Apple orders account, Foxconn’s earnings are scrutinized for any possible hint which could point to increasing or decreasing demand for Apple products.

Today, the contract manufacturer has posted a nineteen percent decline in sales in the first quarter compared with a year earlier. As you’d expect, Reuters immediately speculated the numbers are down because the company is “hurt by disappointing demand for the iPhone”… Read More

 

T-Mobile announces new trade-in offer ahead of iPhone 5 launch

By Cody Lee on Apr 10, 2013

T-Mobile is sure making a compelling case for folks to join its network with a new iPhone 5 this Friday. The carrier is offering competitive unlimited rate plans, contract-free 5th gen iPhones for $99 down and $20 per month, and it’s just sweetened the deal.

In a press release last night, T-Mobile announced a new trade-in offer for iPhone 5 buyers that could potentially eliminate their down payment and earn them up to a $120 credit, depending on the value of their device. We’ve got the full details after the break… Read More

 
Page 212345...