Apple

Internal Apple doc reveals non-serviceable iPhone 5s/5c issues

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2013

So you stood in the line, maybe even battered the storm, and you've finally gotten your hands on a brand spanking new iPhone 5s (let me guess, they didn't have a gold variant?) or one of the colorful new iPhone 5c models? As much as you're going to protect your investment by handling your device with care and thinking twice before letting others play with it, accidents unfortunately happen.

And while Apple will cover factory faults and issues that may arise with your new handsets, many other issues won't be covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty. A leaked Apple document highlights some of the issues that might incur a charge and ones that aren't serviceable at all...

Apple TV 6.0 is out: iTunes Radio, AirPlay from iCloud, iTunes music purchases, more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

Following today's launch of the new iPhone 5s/5c and Wednesday's public release of iOS 7, Apple on Friday issued a major new software update to its "hobby project," the $99 Apple TV streaming set-top box. The company's been testing a companion Apple TV update since announcing iOS 7 at June's WWDC.

We previously caught glimpses of some of the new features such as AirPlay enhancements, automatic device configuration over Bluetooth, custom subtitles and Conference Room Mode for presenters. All of these goodies - and then some - are now readily available to Apple TV owners.

Go past the fold for the full details on iCloud Photos and Videos, iTunes Music Store purchases, Podcasts, AirPlay from iCloud and other Apple TV enhancements...

iPhone 5s chips: Samsung-made A7, NXP-made M7, Bosch accelerometer, Sony CMOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 21, 2016

After conducting its ritual teardown analysis of the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, both of which went on sale earlier today in the United States, China and an additional nine major global markets, the repair experts over at iFixIt teamed up with Chipworks for a high-tech analysis of the iPhone 5s's innards.

Putting the Apple-designed 64-bit A7 chip under a microscope, deep scans reveal the new iPhone engine is still being made by Samsung...

Sprint launches $65 a month One Up upgrade plan

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2013

As rumored, the U.S. wireless carrier Sprint on Friday launched its $65 a month upgrade program, just in time for the double iPhone 5s/5c launch. By the way, the new iPhones have gotten off to a great start as Apple cites "incredible demand" for the handsets. Akin to similar offerings from rival telcos AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, Sprint customers can now get a brand new smartphone every 12 months with no downpayment for a limited time, by signing up for the $65 a month One Up plan for unlimited voice, text and data. Jump past the fold for the full reveal...

The launch: “incredible” demand, Tim Cook & Co. at Palo Alto store, line vids the world over

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

If it is Friday, you must be standing in line for the new iPhones. As the iPhone 5c officially hits stores and the iPhone 5s opens for both pre-sales and retail customers, Apple describes the rush to own the new smartphones as "incredible." From a Silicon Valley appearance by CEO Tim Cook to Hong Kong's own gold rush, talk of a down-and-out Apple is forgotten amid the lines and excited iPhone fanatics.

Acknowledging to AllThingsD that some models of iPhone 5s are "sold out or in limited supply," Apple reportedly is asking its suppliers to increase production by a third.

Gold is in - particularly when it comes to Apple's just-released iPhone 5s...

iOS 7.0.1 fixes iPhone 5s Touch ID issue

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2013

As new iPhones launch today, Apple has flipped the switch on an iOS 7 0.1 update to fix a minor issue with the iPhone 5s's Touch ID fingerprint sensor while delivering "bug fixes and improvements". The maintenance firmware update is exclusive to the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c and users will be prompted to install it upon booting up their brand spanking new device. The software isn't available for iPhones other than the new ones. I've included additional tidbits after the jump..

iFixIt tears apart the iPhone 5c

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2013

Just a few hours ahead of the iPhone 5s/5c launch in the United States and an additional ten major international markets, the repair wizards over at iFixIt gave the flagship iPhone 5s its usual teardown treatment. But wait, these guys are really quick - they've also posted their ritual teardown of another new iPhone, the gorgeous plastic iPhone 5c. I've included the most interesting tidbits and a nice video right after the break...

You can now order your iPhone 5s

Cody Lee ∙ September 20, 2013

Ok folks, the time has arrived. Those in one of the 9 initial launch countries can now order your iPhone 5s handset. Just as promised, the Cupertino company began accepting online orders for its new flagship smartphone right around midnight this morning.

It appears that some users are still seeing Apple’s ‘We’ll be back’ poster on Apple.com, but the Apple Store app is up and running. Remember that carriers are also accepting online orders, so it’s worth checking out their websites if you have trouble getting in…

iOS 7 vulnerability allows anyone to bypass Lock screen

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The highly-anticipated iOS 7 update just started hitting iPhones and iPads yesterday, and already a major vulnerability has been discovered. Just like iOS 6.1 before it, the exploit involves a sequence of touches that allows a user to bypass a device's Lock screen.

The bug isn't easy to reproduce, but I was able to replicate it on my iPhone 4s. And despite having a passcode, it gave me access to a number of apps that contain personal data like photos, email, text messages, and both my Facebook and Twitter accounts...

Poll: what iPhone 5s color would you pick?

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2013

Apple's new iPhones go on sale tomorrow at 8am at Apple and carrier retail stores across the United States and ten major international markets - among them, for the first time on launch day, China. Early signs of severely constrained supply led analysts to project a blockbuster opening weekend.

With nearly a third of customers already on iOS 7, some folks have cunningly obtained a new iPhone by virtue of installing the free iOS 7 update. To all you power users out there who happen to be in the market for a new iPhone, your choice couldn't be simpler: the sleek, fast, 64-bit, fingerprint-reading, top-of-the-line iPhone 5s.

If you count yourself among this club, your First World Problem comes down to the choice of color. So, what finish would you pick if you were buying an iPhone 5s?

Chinese carriers beat even the most aggressive U.S. iPhone 5s/5c offers

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated June 3, 2017

Remember last week's Apple stock tailspin launched by the high price in China of the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s? Talk centered on no-contract versions of the new handsets costing more than $730 and how Apple should just keep dreaming about competing against inexpensive Android alternatives.

Forget all that, because China's No. 2 and No. 3 carriers are out with prices on subsidized iPhones and they are low. In fact, one market observer believes the deals could beat even the most aggressive American offers...

Despite being dual-core, the iPhone 5s A7 chip beats every phone to CPU punch

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2013

Apple hasn't fully documented the new 64-bit A7 chip that powers the iPhone 5s (they never do that) so we'll have to wait until the handset goes on sale this Friday so that Chipworks can put the chip under a microscope, but that hasn't stopped people in the know from speculating.

AnandTech knows hardware perhaps better than anyone else out there and its founder Anand Lal Shimpi posted a detailed iPHone 5s review which, among other things, put the A7 chip through its paces to conclude that Apple is still using a dual-core design for the CPU part...