iPhone 5

Online iPhone 5 availability now improving to 2-4 business days

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 3, 2012

In another display of Apple catching up to iPhone demand, the company's online store in New Zealand is now quoting 2-4 business days for deliveries. It was only a week ago that the New Zealand store indicated shipping times were improving to one week. Prior to that, it took Apple about a month following the iPhone 5 launch to improve delivery times for online orders from 2-3 weeks to one week. The online US store gave us a one-week shipping estimate at press time but we're expecting international stores to follow suit and update estimates later in the day...

Glif+ iPhone 5 tripod mount review

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Yesterday, I finally received my Glif tripod mount for the iPhone 5. For anyone who's ever tried to take respectable photos or videos using the iPhone, then you know how indispensable a good tripod mount can be.

For someone like myself who's constantly shooting video, a tripod mount is an absolute necessity if I ever desire to switch from a DSLR and shoot video with my iOS device. Perhaps you noticed a few videos in the past where I've incorporated video from my iPhone 5? Needless to say, it wasn't a very pretty sight.

Although other tripod mounting solutions exist, the Glif from Studio Neat was among the first to solve the problem. It's also one of the easiest to use. Take a look inside as I examine it on video...

Apple actually tests LTE networks before giving 4G on its devices a go-ahead

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 30, 2012

When it comes to the question of an LTE network being compatible with the iPhone, Apple isn't ready to take a carrier's word. Although they've put up with clean desktops and higher-than-traditional licensing fees, wireless providers are now publicly irked that the Silicon Valley smartphone maker reportedly runs it's own tests before iPhones can operate on a 4G network.

A Swiss carrier has told a news site that Apple will issue a software update allowing iPhones to operate on an LTE network only after testing the carrier's live system. Recently, Swisscom announced the opening of its 4G network for customers - except for iPhone owners...

iPhone 5 and Wi-Fi iPad mini, iPad 4 are headed for China in December

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 30, 2012

It's official: the iPad mini, iPad 4 and iPhone 5 are set to land on China's store shelves in December. The company announced today the 7.9-inch iPad mini and 9.7-inch iPad 4 with Retina display will arrive Friday, December 7, while the iPhone 5 drops a bit later - December 14. Only Wi-Fi iPad models are being released now as the cellular option has just cleared China regulatory hoops.

As of the Friday announcement, new iPads are available in 42 countries. The iPhone 5, which had some earlier supply glitches, has now rolled out in 47 countries...

Griffin to launch official Lightning cables next week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Lightning-flavored accessories were fairly scarce in the first few months following Apple's September iPhone 5 launch. But over the past few weeks, we've started seeing more of them surface.

The latest batch of supplements comes from Griffin. The third-party manufacturer announced yesterday that it would be launching a handful of new Lightning-to-USB cables next week...

Apple now selling unlocked iPhone 5 models in the US

Cody Lee ∙ November 29, 2012

Great news for folks in the US who have been waiting for Apple to start selling unlocked versions of its latest handset. As we were expecting, the company has begun selling contract-free, unlocked GSM models of the iPhone 5 tonight in both its retail stores and online...

Unlocked iPhone 5 hitting online Apple Store tonight, retail outlets to follow soon?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 11, 2018

Like an elusive unicorn, the unlocked iPhone 5 remains a pipedream in the United States, where the government doesn't require telcos to offer unlocked, contract-free devices alongside subsidized ones, like in Italy, France and elsewhere.

If you're unwilling to commit your soul to your carrier just to get your hands on an iPhone 5, you may wanna keep a close eye on the online Apple Store at around 9pm tonight as it's been reported factory-unlocked devices will appear as early as this midnight...

iPhone 5 gains network certification in China

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 29, 2012

Apple's handset has finally been granted a key network certification in China, opening door to a launch ahead of the important holiday shopping frenzy and Chinese New Year, the country's most important holiday. China’s Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, as discovered by The Wall Street Journal, wrote in its license that the iPhone 5 is compatible with China Telecom's network, the country's third-largest mobile carrier. Vendors in China often start selling new handsets within weeks of approval, the paper writes, meaning the official iPhone 5 launch in the massive 1.33 billion people market is likely imminent...

iPhone 5 supply now stabilized in US Apple Stores

Cody Lee ∙ November 29, 2012

Since its initial launch in late September, iPhone 5 supply has been extremely limited. But Apple must have gotten past whatever production issue it was having, because shipping times for the handset recently started showing just one week out.

And apparently, availability is looking even better at Apple's brick and mortar locations. According to a new poll conducted by Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, a number of Apple Stores now have nearly every model of the iPhone 5 on hand...

This 3-inch Lightning cable fits on your key ring

Cody Lee ∙ November 28, 2012

Have you ever found yourself out and about with a dying iPhone and no charger? With the introduction of Apple's new Lightning port, that scenario isn't nearly as unlikely as it used to be.

That's why Kickstarters Kegan & Roberto developed the Nomad, a 3-inch USB-to-Lightning cable that fits on your key ring. That way, you'll never find yourself without an iPhone charger again...

China could soon top US as the largest iOS and Android market

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated March 12, 2018

If the global picture of mobile devices were a soap opera, it would be called "As the World Turns". A constant stream of numbers show how demand and usage is shifting away from the U.S. and to China. The latest figures show the Asian country will soon top the United States with the most active iOS and Android smartphone users.

While China's 167 million iOS and Android users currently puts the nation slightly behind the US at 181 million, that ranking will change in early 2013 as China's triple-digit growth rate easily outpaces America's maturing smartphone market, according to a new report released Wednesday by a mobile analytics firm...

Apple’s tablet lead over Android could be shrinking faster than earlier thought

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 28, 2012

Remember the days when analysts and Wall Street observers believed the iPad would continue to lead tablet sales for years, and Android competitors still needed work? Funny how time flies. Although Apple isn't laughing, there is talk Google could overtake Apple in 2013. The problem is the iPad's lead over a pack of Android alternatives is shrinking to that when the Apple tablet was introduced in 2010.

Also, remember all those non-Android slates from HP and RIM? Yeah, neither does anyone else. That's the other problem...