Apple

Watch this now: how the iPhone 5c is made

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 10, 2013

Apple's website is bursting with new goodies. We've already posted YouTube versions of promotional videos in which Jonathan Ive, SVP of Design, and Dan Riccio, SVP of Hardware Engineering, educate us on the Touch ID fingerprint scanning and explain the advances behind the iPhone 5s's rear iSight camera.

With the all-new iPhone 5c featuring a polycarbonate plastic shell, the company's now gone to great lengths discussing the manufacturing process. The following promo clip depicts how Apple collaborated with its complex supply chain in Asia in order to produce the seamless hard-coated polycarbonate plastic shell for the iPhone 5c...

Say hello to the iPhone 5c

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple's executives are on-stage at the company's Town Hall campus in the company's Cupertino, California headquarters. Head honcho Tim Cook kicked off the long-expected keynote at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern with his usual barrage of Apple biz stats (they don't call him a numbers guy for nothing).

And now, the company has officially taken the wraps off a product critics said would never see the light of day: a more affordable iPhone. They are calling it the iPhone 5c and it's basically the existing 2012 iPhone 5 hardware redesigned around a polycarbonate plastic enclosure with a black front face and your choice of one of the five brightly colored backplates: red, blue, yellow, green and white.

We have the full breakdown for you guys right after the jump...

iOS 7 will be available on September 18

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 10, 2013

Apple's keynote is underway at the Town Hall campus in Cupertino, California and the company has just confirmed the software will be released for public consumption next wednesday, September 18, 2013. There are over two hundred new features in iOS 7, including Control Center, better multitasking, improved notifications, iTunes Radio and of course a brand new flattened interface. Apple also surprised journalists by playing a few new ringtones and alert tones that are not present in Beta builds...

Apple announces new ‘Space Gray’ color for iPod touch, nano and shuffle

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

With Apple's iPod line receiving a significant upgrade last fall, and declining sales making the music players ever-less important, it wasn't surprising that there was no mention of them during today's event.

But Apple gave them a little love this afternoon, though, as it introduced a new colorway for the iPod touch, nano and shuffle. The devices are now available in the 'Space Gray' color, debuted on the iPhone 5S...

AppleCare+ launches in UK, France, Italy as Apple quietly jacks up incident fee to $79

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 10, 2013

If you're planning on buying a brand spanking new iPhone 5c or treat yourself to one of the colorful new plastic iPhones, you'd be wise to consider Apple's $99 AppleCare+ extended warranty coverage.

Because, for all the talk of the iPhone 5c's seamless hard-coated polycarbonate plastic shell ("you won’t see seams, or part lines, or joins,” Apple boasts; here's how it's made), the device is in fact prone to scratches and can be damaged.

The problem is, AppleCare+ is only available in the United States, Canada and Japan. Well, not anymore. Today, the extended warranty coverage is available to customers in the United Kingdom, France and Italy. Learn more just after the break...

Apple introduces new custom cases for iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In addition to the new 2 meter Lightning cable and its two new charging docks, Apple also unveiled today new custom cases for its new handsets. There's a fun plastic one for the iPhone 5c, and a sharp-looking leather one for the 5s, and both are available in various colors...

Apple announces new iPhone partnership with Japan’s DoCoMo

Cody Lee ∙ September 10, 2013

Although it wasn't mentioned at the iPhone event, Apple announced today that it has partnered up with Japan's NTT DoCoMo to offer the iPhone this fall. The company just issued a press release confirming the deal with the carrier.

DoCoMo was the last major provider in the country to not offer Apple's popular handset, after years of failed negotiations. But it appears someone gave in, because the carrier will be selling both new iPhones on September 20th...

Both the iPhone 5s and 5c support China Mobile’s TD-LTE band

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Surprisingly, Apple didn't make any mention of a China Mobile deal at its event today. The Cupertino company had reportedly inked a deal with world's largest carrier earlier this month to carry its popular handset.

But that doesn't mean it can't still happen. In fact, some new evidence surfaced today that suggests a partnership is still in the cards. It's been discovered that both new iPhones support China Mobile's TD-LTE tech...

Apple nows offers a single iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c version for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

As we continue to uncover interesting tidbits following Apple's introduction of the flagship iPhone 5s and the plastic iPhone 5c this morning, a little-appreciated fact has now come to light. Both new iPhones are offered in four different hardware varieties each versus three different cellular versions of the iPhone 5.

The consolidated 5s/5c models offer more LTE bands than before, but the coolest thing is that in the United States a single version now supports AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Additionally, a different version of the handsets will provide compatibility with Sprint and Japan's KDDI and Softbank carriers.

Previously, there used to be two different US flavors of the iPhone 5, one for the AT&T and T-Mobile and the other for Verizon and Sprint networks...

Intertubes respond to Apple’s imminent keynote with parody videos

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

As we count the remaining minutes until Apple's iPhone 5S/5C keynote (85 minutes left and counting), the blogosphere has spent the last 48 hours putting together some downright amusing parody videos (not mentioning a few in really bad taste).

While hardly meant to downplay Apple's inevitable domination in headlines today, we're not complaining - such parodies have long become part of the Apple keynote folklore. Now, some watchers may be expecting a revolution.

Realistically - this morning is about two phones, both based on the existing iPhone 5 design: a mid-range model redesigned around a much cheaper and sturdier plastic enclosure and an S-upgrade with a faster chip, better camera and Touch ID sensor.

Check out the videos after the break and hit us in comments...

Walmart launches smartphone trade-in, but you’ll have to wait until September 21

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

As everyone waits to learn what iPhones Apple will announce later today, the urge to trade-in current smartphones will surge. Hoping to take advantage of that last-minute push is Walmart, adding the world's largest retailer to the list of firms offering deals on older iPhones and other used smartphones.

But is Walmart offering the best deal?

There are some differences which could make offers by smaller firms more attractive, starting with kick-off time...

Ubisoft announces Assassin’s Creed: Pirates

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 23, 2017

French developer Ubisoft, one of the most prolific games makers out there, today announced a brand new game to accompany the upcoming Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag for consoles. They are calling it Assassin's Creed: Pirates and it's basically a standalone naval combat title scheduled to launch this Fall on smartphones and tablets.

Pirates will feature the characters from the upcoming Black Flag console game, including Blackbeard and Benjamin Hornigold. I've included a teaser trailer and additional tidbits right after the break...