iPhone

Stay up-to-date on the latest iPhone news and learn new tips and tricks with our comprehensive tutorials. From software updates to new features, we’ve got you covered.

Text messaging sees first decline ever due to iMessage and other services

Carriers let out a harmonious groan when Apple unveiled its new iMessage service last year. Not only was it a texting alternative, but it would automatically switch users over from texting to iMessaging if both parties were on iOS 5 devices.

Unsurprisingly, this has had a significant impact on the wireless industry and its subsequent text messaging business. According to a new report, the amount of text messages sent during Q3 this year declined for the first time ever...

How to jailbreak iOS 6.1 beta 2 with RedSn0w 0.9.15b3

If you're a developer, then you might be interested in jailbreaking the latest beta version of iOS — iOS 6.1 beta 2. The beta was just released today, and like we always do, we've created a video tutorial that shows how to successfully jailbreak it if you happen to be a developer.

Take a look inside as we walk you through the iOS 6.1 beta 2 jailbreak process step-by-step.

Stream, a beautiful App.net client, hits the iPhone

If you for some reason dislike Netbot, a $5 App.net iOS client from the makers of Tweetbot, you should consider this little nugget. Handcrafted Co.'s Stream offers customizable call gestures and configurable right-swipe action (you can set it to view conversation, reply, star or repost), has support for multiple App.net accounts and delights with a very attractive and polished user interface. You can also cross-post on Twitter, upload media files via the CloudApp service, save articles to Instapaper and more. Four bucks a pop...

New iOS-friendly Fender guitar spotted in Apple’s web store

With the holidays just around the corner, Apple has been seen stocking up on app-enabled accessories. A few weeks ago we noted that the iPad-maker had started selling iPhone-controlled lightbulbs, and now it's added an iOS-friendly guitar to its inventory.

Fender, a long-time legend in the guitar business, has created a custom version of its popular Squier Stratocaster guitar with built-in USB and iOS connectivity. This means that you can plug into anything from a complex digital studio, to your iPad, and rock out...

Apple posts iOS 6.1 Beta 2, new Apple TV beta

Apple just seeded its registered developers with the second beta of iOS 6.1. The software follows November 1 release of the first iOS 6.1 beta which brought out MapsKit improvements and other tidbits.

Beta 2 has a build number of 10B5105c versus 10B5095f for Beta 1. Apple says iOS 6 Beta 2 contains bug fixes and improvements over iOS 6.0.1, in addition to tweaks like a new information card in the Passbook app.

A new beta of the Apple TV software is also available. The new iOS 6.1 beta is available for the various iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Apple TV devices. Apple's registered developers can download them via the company's developer portal.

The iPhone maker also released Xcode 4.6 Developer Preview 2 today (build 4H95e), its preferred development environment for third-parties that write Mac and iOS apps. Your release notes and additional info are right below...

Scuffed iPhone 5? Make it unique by scuffing it even more

As always seems to be the case when Apple launches a new smartphone, the iPhone 5 has suffered something of a dent to its reputation, at least in its early weeks post-launch. We are of course talking about scuffgate, the claimed issue of handsets suffering from paint chips around the phone's antenna, especially on the black and slate version.

Some noticed the issue right out of the box, while others have found paint missing after days and weeks of ownership. While many have succeeded in getting Apple to swap out handsets with just this issue, one forum-goer decided to take a different route, and we have to say it's pretty awesome.

Faced with a prematurely paint-less iPhone 5, MacRumors forum member  travis.hansen decided to take matters into his own hands by actually polishing the remaining paint off, leaving a funky shiny metal finish that looks absolutely terrific...

Samsung allegedly ups Apple chip prices by 20 percent

Samsung Electronics, which manufactures Apple-designed chips for iPads and iPhones exclusively at its Austin, Texas facility, has reportedly hit the iPhone maker with a material 20 percent price hike. Unsurprisingly, per an unnamed person allegedly familiar with negotiations between the two companies, this price increase is only aimed at Apple and not other Samsung clients. Apple up until recently used to account for as much as 8.8 percent of Samsung's revenue. It's been estimated that Apple ordered 130 million iPhone and iPad chips  from Samsung Electronics in 2011 and more than 200 million units this year. The two frenemies have allegedly started to reflect the new supply price recently...

Rumor: the iPhone 5S entering trial production in December

And you thought your iPhone 5 would keep you on the bleeding edge of technology. A new report out of Asia this morning claims that Apple plans to begin trial production of a next iPhone, the iPhone 5S, in December. The reason for such a hasty production schedule? Low yields that continue to affect availability of the current iPhone 5.

In order to avoid similar problems with the next iPhone, the story goes, Apple wants to start trial production of the iPhone 5S as early as possible so the company could work out any kinks ahead of volume production, which is apparently slated to begin in the first quarter of 2013...

Grab yourself a MOBiLE CLOTH, the king of cleaning cloths [giveaway]

We at iDB are big MOBiLE CLOTH fans as you can see from our previous review and multiple giveaways. "Who would get excited about a cleaning cloth," you may be asking yourself. Well, after testing the cloth, we were pretty blown away. I recently tried my hand with a MOBiLE CLOTH and it certainly lived up to expectation. Without any additional cleaning agents or sprays, the dry cloth effortlessly destroyed all of the finger prints and smudges I accumulated while killing baddies playing one of my new favorite apps, ARC Squadron during my review. What impressed me the most is the effortless cleaning process.

To celebrate the launch of the iPad (4th gen) and iPad mini, we teamed up with MOBiLE CLOTH to also giveaway a 24 cleaning cloth gift set...

Movember moustache app that gives back

In an effort to make the world aware of men's health, November is "Movember" to concerned individuals. Each Movember, men around the globe unite in their passion for masculine facial hair as a way to spread the word about men's health issues, particularly prostate and testicular cancers. Once registered  on the official Movember website, gentlemen begin Movember 1st  clean shaven and grow their way to victory while collecting supportive donations for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG Foundation. The Movember program raised $126.2 million in 2011 with the help of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas.

In 2012, to help support Mo's everywhere, the foundation published the Movember Mobile app to keep everyone informed and ensure the donation campaign is easier for all Mo's. Come take a look at the iOS app inspiring a mustached revolution from a participant's perspective. Maybe it will grow on you...

How to jailbreak iOS 6 and iOS 6.0.1 with Sn0wBreeze 2.9.7

If you're a Windows user, and you've been dying for an update to Sn0wBreeze, then your wait is over. As we posted earlier, Sn0wBreeze was updated to 2.9.7, and with it comes tethered support for pre-A5 devices running iOS 6 and iOS 6.0.1

For those of you who've been holding off until a Sn0wBreeze update, we've created a handy tutorial for you to follow, which shows you how to jailbreak iOS 6 and iOS 6.1 using Sn0wBreeze on Windows. Take a look inside for the full details...

Sn0wBreeze 2.9.7 updated with iOS 6.0 and iOS 6.0.1 jailbreak support

iH8sn0w just updated his popular Windows jailbreak tool, Sn0wBreeze, to support the latest public firmware for pre-A5 iOS devices. The update brings support to iOS 6.0 and iOS 6.0.1 tethered jailbreaks for those devices.

Eligible hardware includes the iPhone 4, and the iPhone 3GS. Sn0wBreeze does not work with A5 devices like the iPad 2, or A6 devices like the iPhone 5. This update lends support for the newest public firmware on older devices only. Take a look inside for a taste of what's new with Sn0wBreeze 2.9.7...