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Why AT&T’s ‘Next’ device upgrade program is a bad deal

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Yesterday, AT&T introduced a new device upgrade program called AT&T Next. An obvious response to T-Mobile's 'Jump' plan, Next will allow customers, willing to pay a monthly fee, to trade in their device and upgrade to a brand new one every 12 months.

At first glance, this sounds like a good deal. After all, the carrier's current policy is that you only get a subsidized equipment upgrade every 24 months. But after crunching a few numbers, it's fairly clear that the Next plan is actually a big ripoff for customers...

Tumblr posts ‘very important’ app update to patch security flaw

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Yahoo-owned Tumblr issued an update for its native iOS app last night, bringing the client to version 3.4.1. But you won't find any new features or UI enhancements in this release—this particular update is all about security.

Apparently the popular micro-blogging service was recently made aware of a major security issue, which in some cases allowed user passwords to be compromised. So it's urging users to download this 'very important' update...

Google Maps 2.0 is out with enhanced navigation and iPad support

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Good news iOS users! The big Google Maps update that hit the Android Play Store last week is now rolling out to Apple's mobile platform. The update, which brings the app to version 2.0, contains a number of new features including iPad support and indoor maps.

Although Apple's Maps application has significantly improved in recent months, many folks still prefer to use Google's offering. And since it launched its standalone Maps app on iOS last December, users have been clamoring for an iPad version. Well, here it is...

New Bluetooth accessory ‘Tile’ wants to keep you from losing important stuff

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2013

Introducing the Tile, a small square device with built-in Bluetooth that connects to your iPhone to help you find lost items like your wallet, car keys, computer and more. In fact, anything you attach the Tile to, the app can help you track down.

Now, this isn't the first time we've seen a Bluetooth accessory team up with the iPhone with the promise of tracking things down. But Tile is small, extremely affordable and can attach to almost anything. And it has several other cool features too...

Enormously popular WhatsApp goes free: gains iCloud chat backups and other features

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2013

WhatsApp, arguably the most popular cross-platform chatting solution, has just gone free on the App Store. We're not sure whether the move is part of the upcoming iOS subscription switch or if there was a change of heart.

Either way, we're not complaining. Previously a 99-cent download, WhatsApp for the iPhone and iPod touch is now provided free of charge (jump past the fold for the fine print).

In addition, the app's been updated with the much-needed ability to back up your chats to iCloud so you don't loose your chat history upon reinstalling WhatsApp. Other changes in WhatsApp 2.10.1 include support for URL schemes and the ability to send multiple photos at the same time...

All-time iPhone sales are about to surpass all-time iPod sales

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2013

The iPhone, Apple's wildly successful smartphone, is coming up on a significant milestone. The handset is about to pass another one of the Cupertino company's wildly successful products, the iPod MP3 player, in all-time sales.

The achievement was noted on Twitter this morning by Ender's analyst Benedict Evans, who pointed out that with cumulative iPhone sales at 356 million units and lifetime iPod sales at 375 million, it should happen this quarter...

AllThingsD confirms July iPhone 5S production, new mid-tier iPhone variant

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2013

The-not-so-reliable analyst Peter Misek made rounds last week convincing clients that mass production of the iPhone 5S was about to start later in the month, in time for a late-September or early-October launch.

Misek's mixed track record and another surprising claim of his - that Apple has already begun production of a rumored lower-cost iPhone - led us to file the report under the 'Unlikely' drawer.

But the story unexpectedly grew more legs today as AllThingsD, the respectable blog owned by the credulous Wall Street Journal, independently confirmed that this is indeed the case...

Here’s why Apple dropped the ball in Russia

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Russia is one of the BRIC countries mentioned alongside Brazil, India and China as areas where demand for smartphones is increasing rapidly. Yet, recently, the last of Russia's big-three carriers stopped selling the iPhone, leaving it up to resellers and Apple's new online store to meet demand.

Why are Russian carriers saying no to the iconic handset - and adopting competitors, such as Samsung and Microsoft? The answer could be as simple as 1-2-3...

Griffin’s multi-device charging station now shipping

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

The accessory maker Griffin at this year's CES in January 2013 took the wraps off the PowerDock 5, an intriguing charging station capable of charging and syncing up to five devices at once. Each of its five bays features an individual 10-watt, 2.1-amp power supply.

This lets you charge any iOS device, including the power-hungry iPad 3 and iPad 4 (which can be docked even in their cases). Those eyeing this ultimate charging station should be pleased learning that Griffin today started shipping the PowerDock 5...

New report says fingerprint sensor causing iPhone 5S production issues

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2013

The ever-controversial DigiTimes is reporting this morning that Apple's upcoming flagship handset, believed to be the iPhone 5S, could be in short supply when it launches later this year. It seems that its fingerprint sensor is causing production issues.

Though we've yet to see any physical evidence to support the theory, we've heard a number of reports over the past few months claiming Apple has used its new AuthenTec technology to build a fingerprint sensor into (or underneath) the 5S Home button...

AT&T introduces new ‘AT&T Next’ device upgrade program

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Well that didn't take very long. Just hours after a report surfaced regarding Verizon's plan for a new device upgrade program, AT&T announced a new upgrade plan of its own. It's called 'AT&T Next,' and its description sounds awfully familiar.

The AT&T Next program will allow subscribers to purchase a new smartphone or tablet every twelve months with no activation, upgrade or financing fees. The catch is, they'll have to make monthly payments equal to 1/20th the device's retail cost...

ChargeCard now available for the iPhone 5

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

We've been following the ChargeCard story since it debuted as a Kickstarter project last fall. The credit card-sized accessory, which has garnered all kinds of media and consumer attention, fits in your wallet, ensuring you're never left without a charging cable.

Earlier this year, we went hands on with a pre-production version of the 30-pin model of the ChargeCard, which is perfect for connecting your older iPhone to a USB port for charging. But what if you have an iPhone 5? Never fear, the iPhone 5 model is here...