iPhone News

The iPhone 5 user guide, now in iBookstore

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 28, 2017

Apple's user manual entitled The iPhone User Guide for iOS 6 was released as a downloadable PDF document four days ago, but it wasn't immediately available via the iBookstore. The 155-page document is meant to help new users get acquainted with the iPhone 5 and iOS 6. And now, it is available as a free e-book on the iBookstore so those that prefer electronic books optimized for iOS devices - as opposed to importing and reading PDFs in the iBooks app - are advised to download this handy guide...

DisplayMate: the iPhone 5 has the best smartphone display

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 25, 2012

Display experts DisplayMate put the iPhone 5 display through its paces and walked away pretty impressed, ranking it the best smartphone display they have ever tested. A lengthy analysis confirms that Apple improved upon pretty much every aspect of the iPhone 4/4S display. No longer are colors undersaturated and brightness doesn't drop as much when looking at the iPhone 5 from side.

Moreover, the display on the iPhone 5 has excellent calibration plus accurate color and contrast. Overall, DisplayMate rates the iPhone 5 display as "A" versus "A-" for the iPhone 4 and "B+" for the Galaxy SIII...

Eric Schmidt: a Google Maps app is up to Apple

Cody Lee ∙ September 25, 2012

As Apple continues to take heat over its new mapping software, the question on everyone's mind seems to be: will Google release a standalone Maps app for iOS? It's a fair question, considering it recently published a YouTube app for the platform.

But a report that surfaced last week claiming Google had already submitted a Maps app to Apple and was awaiting approval was quickly debunked. And Eric Schmidt himself confirmed yesterday that his company hasn't made a move yet...

Poll: How is your iPhone battery on iOS 6?

Oliver Haslam ∙ September 25, 2012

It's a fairly simple question isn't it? But if you remember the furor that surrounded the release of iOS 5 and the subsequent battery-gate shenanigans, you'll know only too well what software can do to a phone's battery.

Back in the ill-tempered days of iOS 5, we covered the situation extensively and even offered a spot of advice that seemed to help a great many people. Today though, we want to know how iOS 6 is treating you all, and whether Apple may finally have gotten the iPhone's battery to last like it did pre-iOS 5.

So, let's begin...

Consumer Reports gives iPhone 5 a thumbs-up

Cody Lee ∙ September 24, 2012

Consumer Reports is an 80+ year-old American magazine that publishes reviews and opinions on new consumer products and services. It's physical publication has more than 7 million monthly subscribers and is highly regarded among shoppers.

The magazine has quite a history with Apple, once giving the iPhone 4 a "cannot recommend status," back in 2010, and then sensationalizing the iPad 3's overheating issue earlier this year. But as it turns out, it actually really likes the iPhone 5...

Messages app now automatically switches to the last international keyboard used in a conversation

Sébastien Page ∙ September 24, 2012

If like me you use two or more international keyboards when typing Messages on your iPhone, you know it can sometimes be a bit frustrating to have to switch between them. As a matter of fact, I've wished iOS could automatically figure out what keyboard to use for a while. And I'm hardly the only one. A few months ago, MacStories' Federico Viticci tweeted that iMessage should be able to automatically switch international keyboards based on the recipient's language.

It seems that someone at Apple heard him, as this is now a feature in iOS 6...

AuthenTec tells clients to buy fingerprint sensors elsewhere in 2013

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Earlier in the summer, smart sensor maker AuthenTec agreed to be bought by Apple for $356 million. Still pending approval, the transactions left even the seasoned watchers scratching their head.

People began wondering whether Cupertino might leverage AuthenTec's fingerprint sensors to bolster enterprise security in iOS devices. Or, perhaps, Apple was keen on tapping AuthenTec's sensors to add consumer features to iPhones, iPods and iPads, the stuff like finger-based unlock or a secure e-wallet service.

The deal remains shrouded in a veil of secrecy because Apple isn't talking much and neither is AuthenTec. A report out this morning claims that AuthenTec's current clients are "in a state of panic" as the company is telling them it will stop offering its technology and NFC/fingerprint sensors as of next year...

Verizon iPhone 5 to stay unlocked due to FCC agreements

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Last week, we discovered that the Verizon version of the iPhone 5 comes with an unlocked SIM slot. Our very own Jeff confirmed the theory by using his VZW handset to connect to AT&T's GSM network.

While this was obviously great news, we were worried that things wouldn't stay this way because carriers don't generally like unlocked phones. But according to a new report, Verizon may not have a choice...

Foxconn: iPhone production to resume Tuesday

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

A little riot shouldn't delay iPhone production in China. Long-troubled Foxconn, which makes iPhones, among other electronic devices, said Monday it will resume operations Tuesday following a riot involving 2,000 people that sent 40 to the hospital. In a statement, the manufacturer denied anyone died or that the uprising was work-related.

"The cause of this dispute is under investigation by local authorities and we are working closely with them in this process, but it appears not to have been work-related," the company said in a statement provided CNet...

Google Chrome updated with iPhone 5 support

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 24, 2012

My favorite iOS browser, Google Chrome, has been updated to support the larger screen size of the iPhone 5. The update accompanies iOS 6 compatibility, as well as the often included stability and security improvements.

All of you who were using Safari in the interim, can now return to your regularly scheduled program.

iPhone 5 personal pickup live after 10pm tonight

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Strong demand and five million sales (perhaps even more) during the opening weekend continue to put a strain on the initial iPhone 5 supply. If you're in the market for an iPhone 5 and are an avid Apple fan, there's a reasonable chance you'll want to waltz inside one of Cupertino's shiny retail shrines. After all, a new iPhone is a once-in-a-year event so why not treat yourself to that talked-about buying and ownership experience, right?

The problem is, the iPhone 5 is hard to come by at the moment, even as Apple is regularly stocking stores. Luckily, there's now a better way of buying the sought-after device involving a simple online pre-reservation for in-store pickup the following day...

Apple TV gets Shared Photo Streams, new screen savers, iTunes account switching and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 24, 2012

Apple today pushed out an update for its Apple TV set-top box. The update is focused on iOS 5.1 build 10A406e and a slew of enhancements and a few new features. Among the things we like in the new Apple TV software (in addition to the obligatory stability and performance fixes) is the ability to easily save multiple iTunes accounts and switch between them, support for Shared Photo Streams and AirPlay broadcasting from Apple TV to other devices...