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Lightning dock connector thought to support USB hosting

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 29, 2017

Apple's new Lightning dock connector which debuted on the iPhone 5 and the new colorful iPod touch isn't just 80 percent smaller (and nearly identical in size to the micro-USB), reversible and all digital, it is also designed with USB I/O technology in mind.

According to a report from Macotakara, the Japanese blog with a fairly accurate track record, Lightning I/O has built-in support to host USB devices, which could lead to more fully-featured accessories than previously possible. Think keyboards, digital cameras, MIDI interfaces, mics and other USB-based gear...

Samsung kidnaps buyer to copy iPhone 5 tech in new Conan vid

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 14, 2012

Conan O’Brien regularly pokes fun at Apple and we here at iDB love his funny takes on Cupertino's products and moves. He mocked the Apple v. Samsung monster trial, the new iPad Retina Display, Siri commercials and the lost iPhone prototype meme, to name a few. Now he's back at it again.

Riding high on the iPhone 5 tidal wave, the 49-year-old host of the TBS late night show sent out an intern to buy an iPhone 5 from Apple. The poor kid got kidnapped by Samsung's men in black to presumably held him hostage in order to gain access to the Phone 5 technology.

If you didn't laugh at Conan's video, laughing at yourself is always a nice alternative (here, here and here)...

iPhone 5 to cost carriers $10B in subsidies

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 14, 2012

If there was a frenemy to carrier profits, it could be Apple's iPhone. While iPhone users were rejoicing over the iPhone 5, U.S. wireless providers could pay $10 billion in subsidies to sell the new smartphone, according to one analyst. Indeed, AT&T and Verizon were downgraded just days after the new iPhone was announced.

The iPhone's success is a double-edged sword for US carriers. Although a new Apple phone can draw new subscribers like a magnet, the Cupertino, Calif. company is aware of its power, costing carriers $425 per handset in subsidies. Couple that high cost with the early sale of the device and carrier margins for the last half of 2012 will be slimmer than the iPhone 5, writes Stifel Nicolaus analyst Christopher King. King told investors AT&T and Verizon could be over-valued and downgraded both companies to 'hold.'

Cost of parts for the 16GB iPhone 5 pegged at $168

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 30, 2017

Bill of materials for the entry-level 16GB iPhone 5 has been estimated at just $167.50, according to an analysis published Friday by UBM TechInsights. In comparison, UBM TechInsights estimated that the 16GB iPhone 4S has a bill of materials of $132 ($112 for the iPhone 4).

The $36 difference between the iPhone 5 and its predecessor covers new technologies Apple built in, including the larger four-inch Retina screen that leverages the in-cell assembly process, the speedier A6 chip, some new sensors and mics and 4G LTE modem from Qualcomm, to name a few...

The iPhone 5 is the Rolex of smartphones

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Despite lack of NFC (here's why) and wireless charging (you still need to plug a wireless charging device somewhere), the manufacturing precision with which the iPhone 5 is made is seen as one of its biggest selling points. Piper Jaffray analst Gene Munster previously predicted "the biggest consumer launch in history", calling the iPhone 5 arrival "the mother of all upgrades". He's back at it again, likening the iPhone 5 in today's note to clients to "a Rolex among a sea of Timexes"...

Apple confirms Lightning to HDMI and VGA cables coming

Cody Lee ∙ September 14, 2012

More details have come to light today regarding Apple's new Lightning connector and its capabilities. It seems it will be capable of wired video output after all.

Previously, folks were worried that it wouldn't support video out, due to the fact that the Lightning to 30-pin adapter doesn't. But Apple just confirmed it will...

You can now pre-order your iPhone 5

Cody Lee ∙ September 14, 2012

Well, they were a little late, but Apple is now taking pre-orders for the iPhone 5. If you live in one of the initial launch countries, you should be able to log into Apple's website and snag a handset.

Hopefully, the company has planned ahead this time for the influx in traffic, and we won't have to spend forever trying to place our orders. Last year it took me 2 hours to pre-order the iPhone 4S...

Unlocked iPhone 5 models won’t be available at launch

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2012

We're t-minus three hours and counting until the iPhone 5 pre-orders begin, and some new information regarding model availability and pricing has just come to light.

According to several Apple customer service representatives, unlocked models of the iPhone 5 will not be available for tonight's pre-order or even next week's launch...

iPhone 5 won’t support concurrent voice and data on Verizon or Sprint

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2012

Remember back when Verizon first launched the iPhone 4? AT&T, whose network was struggling at the time, launched a campaign highlighting the fact that AT&T users could talk and browse the web at the same time, and Verizon users couldn't.

Over time, the problem faded into the background. And since Verizon's LTE network — which is now in nearly 400 markets — supports simultaneous voice and data, we didn't think it'd be a problem with the iPhone 5. But apparently, we were wrong...

Poll: will you pre-order the iPhone 5 or stand in line?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 21, 2012

Apple is taking iPhone 5 pre-orders starting 12:01am Pacific, 3am Eastern on September 14. That’s tomorrow and less than 24 hours from now. In addition to the online Apple Store, carriers Sprint, AT&T and Verizon have confirmed they will be taking pre-orders for the phone at the same time.

Several regional U.S. carriers also announced availability and retailer Walmart said it will be taking pre-orders at its U.S. stores starting at 8am, priced at $189.97 with a two-year AT&T, Verizon or Sprint contract.

With plenty of options for those who are planning on upgrading, I'm wondering if you prefer pre-ordering or standing in line for this year's iPhone...

Don’t want to wait in line for the iPhone 5? TaskRabbit will do it for you

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2012

If you don't plan on pre-ordering your iPhone this weekend, but still want to grab the handset as soon as it launches, your only other option is to stand in line at an Apple, or other retail, store.

Queues for new Apple products are banal, sometimes starting a week or more ahead of launches, with hundreds of people. But if waiting in line isn't for you, these folks are up to the task...

The iPhone 5 promo hits YouTube

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 13, 2012

Apple's promotional video detailing the biggest iPhone 5 features went live shortly following yesterday's series of announcements, but you need QuickTime, Apple's media software, to watch it in your browser.

Many hate QuickTime, especially Windows PC users. The QuickTime for Windows installer is nearly a hundred megabyte download and the software has become infamous for its resource hoginess (is that even a word?).

Luckily, two hours ago the company uploaded the clip to its YouTube channel and we've embedded it here for your viewing pleasure...