iPhone 6s

Apple launches repair program for unexpected shutdown issues on iPhone 6s

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 21, 2016

Apple on Monday announced a new repair program to address issues where “a very small number” of iPhone 6s devices manufactured between September and October 2015 may unexpectedly shut down. The issue is apparently caused by a faulty battery, which Apple will replace free of charge if your iPhone 6s is affected. The program covers affected iPhone 6s batteries for three years after the first retail sale of the unit and may restrict or limit repair to the original country of purchase.

Google’s dedicated search app gains ability to preview Now cards with 3D Touch

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 26, 2016

Google today issue a small update to its dedicated search app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Bumped to version 20.3, the free of charge app has gained the ability to preview Google Now cards with 3D Touch on the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

Just press a card within the app to peek at its contents, then swipe up to access additional options or press harder to open the card in fullscreen mode.

Video: all iPhone sapphire lenses scratch tested

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 3, 2016

As you may know, Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller recently insisted that rumors of the iPhone 7's Home button and camera lens not being covered in pure sapphire were false. However, YouTuber JerryRigEverything has found that these parts do leave scratch marks at a level six on the Mohs scale of hardness, which is odd given that pure sapphire crystal should sustain scratches up to a level nine.

Apple on its website states that all of the iPhones it currently sells offer sapphire protection for the Touch ID sensor and iSight camera, which doesn't explain why these parts appear to scratch more easily than they should.

Could Apple be using a sapphire/glass hybrid or even a normal tempered glass rather than a 100 percent sapphire crystal? That's what JerryRigEverything set out to find in a comprehensive scratch test video of the iPhone SE/6/6s/7 series.

Top Apple analyst expects fewer iPhone 7 sales than iPhone 6s garnered in 2015

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 26, 2016

Despite Note 7 fires and carriers suggesting iPhone 7 sellouts, top Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities isn't entirely convinced that strong consumer demand will offset slowing shipments. In a note to clients obtained by AppleInsider, Kuo predicted 70-75 million iPhone 7 sales in 2016—lower than that of the iPhone 6s in 2015.

Kuo cautions that strong iPhone 7 sales are not “not entirely due to market demand” because carrier promotions inflated sales numbers and a larger amount of launch countries led to depleted inventories worldwide.

iOS 10 gains convenient cellular data shortcut with a little help from 3D Touch

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 14, 2016

iOS 10 takes 3D Touch, a pressure sensing technology which debuted a year ago on the iPhone 6s, to plenty new places throughout the operating system. With 3D Touch, you can clear all notifications in one fell swoop, rename folders quickly, prioritize downloads, interact with notifications and more.

You also get useful 3D Touch shortcuts upon pressing app icons in Control Center (sadly, 3D-touching Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles does nothing).

Worse, Control Center continues to inexplicably lack a dedicated cellular data toggle. But worry not, as Apple has found a way to slip in that sought-after cellular data shortcut with a little help from 3D Touch.

YouTube for iPhone picks up 3D Touch shortcuts

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 14, 2016

To say that YouTube, one of my favorite mobile apps from Google, has poor 3D touch support would be an understatement: it's been now a full year since the iPhone 6s introduced the world to 3D Touch and yet support for the technology is literally non-existent in YouTube for iOS.

Conveniently ahead of the iPhone 7's arrival, Google yesterday moved to assuage some of the concerns of users who have been craving for 3D Touch in the app, releasing a small update which enables some interesting shortcuts on the Home screen.

Weight, size, and battery life: iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6s

Anthony Bouchard ∙ September 7, 2016

Apple's iPhone lineup just got even better as of Wednesday's product unveiling. Not only are the devices super fast, more power-efficient, and available in new finishes, but they also come with a slew of new finishes that owners of previous-generations of iPhone will drool over.

In this piece, we'll compare the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 6s so you have an idea of the differences in size, weight, and even their expected battery life.

How to install a glowing Apple logo on iPhone 6s

Jim Gresham ∙ August 31, 2016

An iconic image, the glowing Apple logo adorns store locations and flagship MacBook devices. It is the quickest way to spot an Apple device in the wild. However, Apple refuses to provide the same iconic design on iPhones and iPads. To resolve this conundrum, that meant taking matters into my own hands.

For years, I wanted an iPhone with a glowing logo. All the way back to iPhone 4, it has been possible to mod your device with a small LED. However, with iPhone 6, @theunlockr is offering a simple all-in-one DIY kit, helping transform your device in about 30-60 minutes. Take a step inside to see my personal handy work and a great tutorial video to ease your nerves.

Galaxy Note 7 vs. iPhone 6s real-life speed test proves specs aren’t everything

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 23, 2016

In spite of running Qualcomm’s latest 64-bit Snapdragon 820 processor with four CPU cores, Adreno 530 graphics and 4GB of RAM, Samsung's latest Galaxy Note 7 phablet delivers embarrassing real-world performance when pitted against almost-a-year-older iPhone 6s and its in-house designed A9 chip with two CPU cores and just 2GB of RAM.

As seen in this side-by-side video comparison from YouTuber PhoneBuff, the iPhone 6s easily beats the latest Note when it comes to loading apps and games, thanks to the combination of efficient iOS software and Apple's custom-designed hardware.

3D Touch controls have come to Jetpack Joyride

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 18, 2016

Jetpack Joyride by Halfbrick Studios, one of the few games I still play and always keep on my phone thanks to regular content updates, has been refreshed on the App Store with support for 3D Touch, letting you press the display on your iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus to control the character.

Thanks to 3D Touch's ability to sense multiple degrees of pressure, the harder you press, the faster you'll jetpack.

In addition, the game introduces a new Hardwood costume whilst ditching the rolling inventory, which means you can now buy any extra item whenever you want.

This music video was shot on iPhone 6s in 13 countries over the course of one month

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 12, 2016

A troubled teen growing up in the United Kingdom, Shirazee moved to South Africa as a refugee, living there for four years and dabbling in music before signing to Island Records, represented by Universal Music in South Africa.

His debut single, “Different”, is out now on Apple Music and iTunes, with the accompanying music video shot entirely on an iPhone 6s over the course of 31 days in a total of thirteen countries, including the five he has lived in.

iOS 10 tidbit: deleting text faster with 3D Touch

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 11, 2016

Here's a time-saving enhancement discovered in the previous beta of iOS 10: deleting text faster—a lot faster—with 3D Touch. Although this very cool feature originally flew under our radar, we're letting you guys know about it so that you're kept in the loop. Owners of an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus should be especially pleased with iOS 10's expanded use of 3D Touch gestures for things like clearing all notifications, sharing apps and renaming folders.