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iMessage to Become Part of Mac OS X Lion’s iChat?

Oliver Haslam ∙ September 14, 2011

When iMessage was first announced by Apple way back in June, we all got very excited. The prospect of replacing SMS with something a little more 21st century appeals to us all, and getting rid of those ridiculous carrier charges is somewhat of a bonus.

What would really make iMessage stand out from most alternatives, and especially SMS, is the ability to send and receive messages from computers, as well as our iPads, iPod touches and iPhones. Currently, that's not possible, though as we've already made clear, other solutions already offer compelling alternatives.

New code discovered in OS X Lion's version of iChat suggests that iMessage may actually be coming to the desktop...

Epson Unveils All-in-One Projectors for iDevices

Cody Lee ∙ September 14, 2011

Good news for the folks that just can't wait for Apple to embed projectors into their iDevices. Epson, the well known printer-making company, just entered the iOS accessory space with a new line of portable projectors.

As reported by Macworld, the new video projectors resemble home theatre-style projectors, with one notable difference — an iDevice dock. That means that you can watch movies stored on your iPad or iPhone on a 100+ inch display...

iPhone 4 is Still the Thinnest Smartphone

Cody Lee ∙ September 14, 2011

In the world of smartphones, and mobile electronics in general, thin is in. No one wants to carry around a bulky device. That would defeat the purpose of calling them "portable."

With the iPhone 4, Apple took the "slim" concept and ran with it, dubbing it the world's thinnest smartphone. Ever wonder why, after 15 months, Apple still hasn't removed the claim? It's because it still stands...

China Telecom Announces “Dragon Plan” to Sell iPhone 5 in October

Alex Heath ∙ Updated February 24, 2017

China's third largest wireless provider has initiated a $234.5 million iPhone 5 promotion called the "Dragon Plan." China Telecom is already training employees and setting up in-store advertising. One store has even set up a large LCD panel promoting the unreleased iPhone 5.

More interestingly, the carrier has already announced that it will begin selling the device in October. This report follows the comment of France Telecom CEO Stéphane Richard yesterday saying that the next gen iPhone would be available to customers on October 15...

Apple Working on an iOS Scanner Application

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2011

Those folks over at 9to5Mac are at it again. After single handedly revealing the unannounced iOS 5 Nuance and Siri features, they have uncovered another secret project that Apple is working on.

Apparently, the Cupertino company is looking to release an application that would turn your iDevice into a digital scanner. Patent filings have suggested its interest in such an app, but 9to5Mac got the skinny from a source inside Apple...

GameStop is Now Buying Back Used Apple Devices

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2011

GameStop is a popular videogame retailer that has been in the business of buying and selling used gaming equipment. They deal in everything from used consoles, accessories, and of course video games.

But in the wake of declining console and game sales, the chain has decided to expand its business. The Wall Street Journal reports that GameStop is now buying back most models of iPhones, iPads, and even iPods, in exchange for cash or store credit...

New Survey Offers a Peek at Consumer Demand for the iPhone 5

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2011

You wouldn't know it by listening to HTC's Martin Fichter, but it seems that the demand for Apple's next smartphone is higher than ever before. According to a recent survey, the pre-launch hype for the iPhone 5 exceeds that of the iPhone 4.

Analyst Mike Abramsky announced the results of a recent RBC/ChangeWave survey this morning, which shines some light on the growing interest in Apple's upcoming smartphone. And unless you're Mr. Fichter, the results shouldn't surprise you...

Sprint Employee Claims iPhone 4 Launch in October, iPhone 5 Next Spring

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2011

Had enough of the iPhone 5 rumors? Well how about some iPhone 4 gossip? TUAW is reporting today that they have been informed by a Sprint Nextel sales associate that Sprint will start offering the iPhone 4 next month.

While low-level retail employees are never a reliable source for Apple-related news, the information does match up with several recent rumors claiming that the Cupertino company will be re-releasing the iPhone 4 this Fall...

Why Gtalk is Already the SMS Replacement that iMessage Wants to Be

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

The race to kill SMS is on. Instant messaging apps have flooded both the App Store and Android Market, with WhatsApp and others seeking to replace SMS by offering free, cross-platform messaging in (sometimes) fancy-looking apps that allow not only the sending and receiving of text, but also the sending of pictures and video.

Even Samsung is set to join the fray, with ChatON being the company's first foray into the world of instant messaging. Samsung promises to release apps on just about every platform. It seems that everyone has it in for SMS, and the carriers must surely know what's going. And let's not forget Apple's iMessage...

iPhone Gaming Costs UK Businesses £800 Million, or $1.3 Billion a Year

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

We love studies here at iDB, especially when they result in entirely meaningless numbers that are almost guaranteed to get traction. Studies like this one, for example.

UK firm iBingo has questioned just 2,000 iPhone owners about their working habits, and in particular, how much gaming they do during working hours. Turns out, they all 'fessed up to playing games on their iPhones for around one hour a day. From there, iBingo took the numbers and ran with them, and have since made some bold claims based on those 2,000 users...

France Telecom CEO Pegs October 15 Release Date for iPhone 5

Alex Heath ∙ September 13, 2011

Another day, another random telecom CEO saying things that shouldn't be said. France Telecom CEO Stéphane Richard has suggested that Apple will release the iPhone 5 on October 15th.

This particular CEO has a history of speaking on Apple-related matters, so take this claim with a grain of salt. It is worth noting that Richard's projected date does match up with rumors that have pegged Apple's iPhone announcement to take place in late-September, with carrier availability in early to mid-October...

iPhone 5 Parts Watch: Is This the iPhone 5’s Home Button?

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated March 27, 2017

There are three things guaranteed to happen with a new iPhone release: people will pre-order it, it will sell even more units than its predecessor did, and supposed parts will leak out just before it is announced. All three happen each and every time, and so far, the iPhone 5 is true to that system.

We've already seen some supposed iPhone 5 replacement parts appear, and now a Chinese parts web site claims to be selling the handset's home button flex cable...