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iPhone 3GS comes back from the dead in South Korea
Have you ever wished you could relive the experience of owning a classic smartphone? You can, if you live in South Korea. SK Telink is putting the iPhone 3GS back on sale at the end of June after finding a slew of unsold units in a warehouse. Yes, you too can revisit the heady days of 2009, when the Black Eyed Peas dominated the music charts and LTE was still a pipe dream. It won't cost a lot to walk down memory lane when the phone costs 44,000 won (about $40), and don't stress too much over the nine-year-old battery -- SK Telink is inspecting each unit to be sure it's working.
iOS 7 phases out the iPhone 3GS and the original iPad; some features will be iPhone 5 only
Apple on Monday took the wraps off of iOS 7, its highly anticipated next-gen mobile OS for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Apple said that iOS 7 will be available as a free download this fall and will run on the following devices: iPhone 4 and above iPad 2 and above iPad mini iPod touch, fifth generation So with iOS 7, Apple is phasing out the iPhone 3GS. The original iPad was phased out with iOS 6 (thanks, Ben!) I'd be surprised, though, if there are a significant percentage of iOS users using the aforementioned device. All in all, Apple does do a decent job of keeping iOS users running years-old hardware in the mix. Aside from which devices will run iOS 7, it's equally important to consider which features from iOS 7 will run on which device. To that end, here's how some of the device-specific iOS 7 features break down. Panorama -- The photo feature Apple introduced last year will be available on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, and fifth-gen iPod touch. iPad users are out of luck here. Square/Video formats and swipe to capture -- These features will be available on the iPhone 4 and above, the third-generation iPad and above, the iPad mini and the fifth-generation iPod touch. Filters in Camera - This Instagram-inspired feature will only be available for the iPhone 5 and the fifth-generation iPod touch. Filters in Photos - This will be available on the iPhone 4 and above, the third-generation iPad and above, the iPad mini and the fifth-generation iPod touch. AirDrop - AirDrop in iOS 7 will only work on the iPhone 5, the fourth-generation iPad, the iPad mini and the iPod touch. Siri - Siri in iOS 7 has new voices, a new interface and a whole lot more functionality. Users trying to take advantage of the latest and greatest from Siri can run it on the iPhone 4S and above, the iPad with Retina display, the iPad mini and the fifth-generation iPod touch. iTunes Radio - Apple's long-rumored music streaming and recommendation service will run on any iOS 7-compatible device.
Samsung wins ITC ban of AT&T compatible iPhones and iPads due to patent infringement
Samsung got a big win in the International Trade Commission today, as the ITC handed down a final ruling finding that several models of AT&T-compatible iPhones and iPads infringe a Samsung patent, and issued an exclusion order preventing them from being imported, sold or distributed in the US. This final ruling comes months after an ALJ determined that Apple did not infringe any of Samsung's IP, but clearly, the commission felt differently upon its review. This final determination holds that AT&T models of the iPhone 4, 3GS and 3G, plus AT&T iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G models infringe four claims of Samsung's patent number 7,706,348 for encoding mobile communications. The ITC reversed the ALJ's ruling in part based upon modified construction of several key terms in the claims at issue, but upheld the prior decision regarding the other three patents Samsung asserted in the action. So, what does this mean for Apple? Not a tremendous amount, truthfully, as the newly banned devices are no longer Cupertino's standard bearers and account for little of the company's massive profits. Plus, Apple will, no doubt appeal the decision in court. Still, Samsung's bound to feel pretty good about the victory, and every little bit helps in its quest to remain atop the smartphone heap, right?
Apple agrees to $53 million settlement in iPhone and iPod Touch warranty class action
Wired is reporting that Apple has agreed to a $53 million settlement in a class-action suit focusing on Apple's warranty practices regarding water damage in older iOS devices. The settlement agreement, which was leaked to Wired, has already been signed off on by Apple chief litigation counsel Noreen Krall and now awaits the official signatures of the remaining parties. The lawsuit alleges that Apple improperly refused to honor warranty agreements for iPhones and iPod Touch devices which were seemingly damaged by water. As a quick primer, iPhone and iPod Touch models come with Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI) which change color from white to pink or red when they comes into contact with water. Apple's warranty coverage, however, doesn't extent to water damage. As such, when an affected customer would bring in a damaged device with a red LCI, Apple refused to honor the warranty agreement by refusing to repair or replace it. The problem with Apple's bright line rule, however, is that the the LCI was prone to change colors when exposed to humidity. Though Apple on its own website explains than an LCI is designed not to be triggered by changes in humidity and temperature, 3M, who makes the tape, said that such factors can sometimes cause the LCI to change color. The devices encompassed in the lawsuit include the original iPhone, the iPhone 3G, the iPhone 3GS and the first three generations of the iPod touch. The ballpark estimate for payouts is about $200 per claim, but that figure could either rise or decline depending on how many affected users actually submit a claim. The type of device affected will also influence the extent of individual payouts. The reason the last iPhone model included in the suit is the iPhone 3GS is because Apple in 2010 began requiring employees to look for other signs of water damage when a user brought in a device with a red LCI. Whereas employees under the previous protocol would void the warranty of an affected device out of hand, court documents posted by Wired indicate that Apple's liquid-damage policies for the iPhone and iPod touch were made less stringent in December 2009 and June 2010 respectively. As part of the settlement agreement, Apple also agreed to set up a website where users can learn about the case and access all documents needed to either submit a claim via the web or by printing out a mailable form. Interestingly, the agreement requires that Apple make a published notice alerting the public to the settlement agreement in both the USA Today and Macworld magazine. Naturally, Apple notes that it enters into the settlement agreement "without in any way acknowledging any fault, liability or wrongdoing of any kind."
Apple ad man Ken Segall takes issue with Apple's iPhone naming scheme
While serving as the creative lead of TBWA/Chiat Day, Ken Segall oversaw the creative direction of Apple's marketing efforts. Credited as the man who put the 'i' in iMac, Segall worked very closely with Steve Jobs and helped oversee a number of memorable Apple ad campaigns, including the award-winning Think Different campaign. Suffice it to say, when Segall has something to say about Apple's advertising efforts, it's typically worth paying attention to. In a blogpost published last week, Segall opines on Apple's current iPhone naming scheme and let's just say he thinks Apple is shooting itself in the foot. The press has already dubbed this year's model "iPhone 5S." Most experts see a narrative in which Apple only produces a major upgrade every other year, and in between we get the "S" model. ... More important, tacking an S onto the existing model number sends a rather weak message. It says that this is our "off-year" product, with only modest improvements. If holding off on the big number change achieved some great result, I might think otherwise. But look what happened with iPhone 5. Segall goes on to note that the iPhone 5, despite delivering a host of improvements in both software and hardware, was still criticized as being an incremental upgrade. So instead, Segall suggests that Apple should just name each successive iPhone release with a new number and let the chips fall where they may. Let the consumer decide, Segall argues, the extent to which each new iPhone improves upon its predecessor. It's an intriguing proposition which raises an interesting issue -- do people generally view "S" upgrades as middle-of-the-road improvements? I myself have heard a few people mention plans to forgo an "S" upgrade and hold out for the next big number release. The underlying assumption is that "S" model iPhones offer less value than iPhone models that forgo the "S" moniker. "I think it's safe to say," Segall writes, "that if you're looking for a new car, you're looking for a 2013 model - not a 2012S. What's important is that you get the latest and greatest." If we look back at Apple's iPhone models, it does seem that the biggest enhancements have come in the form of numbered upgrades such as the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5. And, of course, let's not forget about the iPhone 3G which is often overlooked in the pantheon of iPhone models. While it may seem like eons ago, the iPhone 3G rescued us from a world of Edge and an iPhone without GPS. In any event, the broader question remains: Is there merit to Segall's assertion that "slapping the "S" onto different models" has the unintended consequence of implying "that this model isn't worth an upgrade"? While I'm inclined to agree with Segall in an abstract sense, iPhone sales figures paint a different picture. During this summer's Apple / Samsung trial, Phil Schiller noted that each iPhone release has sold more units than all previous models combined. So while we're a few months away from what will likely be the iPhone 5S, there's no getting around the fact that both the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4S sold like hotcakes. That said, there's no question that the "S" naming scheme may psychologically affect how consumers view a new iPhone model, but it's hard to argue that it has affected iPhone sales in a tangible way. As a final point of interest, you might remember that the "S" in the iPhone 3GS stood for "speed." What's not as widely known, however, is that the "S" in the iPhone 4S stood for "Siri." Tim Cook admitted as much during a 2012 interview with Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg.
Vodafone's Nearly New program entices penny-pinchers with pre-owned smartphones
If you cherish saving coin and don't mind owning secondhand devices, Vodafone's Nearly New program is angling to hook you up with previously-loved smartphones. The UK firm's new effort takes handsets returned by users in "very good condition," repackages them with the appropriate accessories and doles them out at cheaper prices with pay-as-you-go or contract plans. According to Vodafone, the offering is particularly aimed at bringing pay-as-you-go users into the smartphone fold without breaking the bank. Available devices will vary each month based on return inventory, but the outfit already has iOS and Android choices on tap. Customers happy with off-contract service can choose between an iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4, with an 8GB flavor of the latter ringing up at £250. Folks who have their eye on a contract plan can pick between a Samsung Galaxy S III, which is free with a £33 subscription, or an HTC One X. On-contract Nearly New devices are already available online and in select stores, while commitment-free phones are up for grabs in-store and will find their way online next week.
iOS 6 tethered jailbreak updated with official Cydia, quicker installation for your A4-packing device
The iPhone Dev-Team has just outed a new version of Redsnow that opens up iOS 6 to an official version of the sinful, definitely-not-Apple Cydia store, but you'll still have to be tethered to use it. The process is now simpler, as the latest version recognizes your already-installed iOS 6 OS and installs only the necessary jailbreak files, and Cydia is now installed automatically as well -- rather than needing a complex workaround like the last version. If you're willing to put up with the tethering and have an A4-powered iPhone 4, 3GS or gen-4 iPod touch device, the laundry list of how to do it is at the source below -- but there's always the risk of bricking, so caveat emptor, of course.
iOS 6 jailbroken already, but only on older A4-powered iPhones and iPods
iOS 6 probably won't go down in history as a revolutionary update, but fortunately it's anti-tamper measures don't seem to have changed much either. The iPhone Dev-Team has already managed to get its redsn0w tethered jailbreak working, at least for the A4-powered iPhone 4, 3GS and 4th-gen iPod touch, and you'll find full instructions as well as a healthy list of caveats at the source link below. As to how long it'll take to get some Cydia action on the iPhone 5 and other fresher devices and without the hassle of tethering, place your bets here.
iOS 6 review
More Info iOS 5 review Apple unveils iOS 6 at WWDC, launch apps with Siri, Facebook integration, Maps iOS 6 coming to iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod Touch on September 19th Starting tomorrow, iOS users will be prompted to update their devices to the newest iteration of Apple's mobile operating system. As difficult as it is to believe, we're already onto the sixth version of the OS, which continues to be updated with new features on a yearly basis. After pushing out so many upgrades critical to plugging a few major feature holes, the vast majority of its 200 advertised enhancements are strictly granular, as Apple continues to polish its popular OS. That doesn't mean, though, that this build is coming to the masses without any jarring UI changes: Apple has declared independence from Google by adopting its own Maps, added a few nice features to Mail and iCloud, thrown Facebook integration into the mix and introduced the Passbook for paperless tickets. The question is, how does it stack up against previous refreshes? Read on to find out.
iOS 6 coming to iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod Touch on September 19th
We know what we're getting from iOS 6 and won't have to wait long for it. Apple's new mobile OS will land on existing phones, tablets and media players on September 19th -- a week from today. As was mentioned when we first saw iOS 6, the cut-off appears to be the iPhone 3GS, while tablets starting from the second iteration will be able to access Apple's new feature set. Check out our liveblog of Apple's event to get the latest news as it happens!
Motorola's latest ITC complaint against Apple targets newer iOS devices and Macs, messaging and sync
Motorola filed its most recent ITC complaint against Apple so late into last week that the court system couldn't immediately provide more details; we're only just seeing documents now that the weekend is over. As it stands, the case involves seven patents that mostly touch on staple technologies of the modern mobile world, such as syncing messages between devices and bookmarking media playback on one device to resume on another. Does that last technique sound familiar? You might recall it being a cornerstone of the movie and podcast support that Apple has implemented since 2005. Despite reaching that far back into history, Motorola is just as eager to modernize the targeted hardware list to keep its complaints relevant -- the current iPad, the iPhone 4S and other devices are at risk of a trade ban, posing more of a threat to Apple's bottom line than the dust-covered (and near-finished) initial legal challenge from October 2010. Before coming to any conclusions, though, remember that the newer complaint isn't likely to have any speedy resolution of its own. Past ITC cases have usually taken a year and a half to complete, which could leave most or all of today's technology as another distant memory.
iGills accessory turns iPhone into a dive computer, lets you film underwater
Not quite ready to leave wandering the briny depths up to robots, but still crave some undersea tech? The freshly released iGills Smart Diving System can help. With a polycarbonate housing and free companion app, the setup turns your iPhone into a fully featured recreational dive computer and logbook that can plunge up to 130 feet into the drink. Once connected to the waterproof case's 30-pin dock, handsets gain access to depth and temperature sensors in addition to six buttons for in-app navigation. Not only does the software provide vital dive information, it also allows users to take stills and videos of their underwater excursions through a glass camera port. If you're pining for an iOS-assisted diving experience, the iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S-compatible rig will set you back $330. Check out a quick clip of the accessory, complete with requisite rock music, after the break.
Apple gives iPhone 3GS owners some love, lets them taste Shared Photo Streams and VIP Mail in iOS 6
Anyone who's been scanning to see who gets what in iOS 6 has noticed that the iPhone 3GS is the red-headed stepchild of the family -- some features that really don't need a cutting-edge phone have been left on the chopping block. Apple is showing those owners some TLC, after all, by officially flicking on support for Shared Photo Streams and VIP Mail lists through the entire iOS 6-ready device list. With the exception of Safari's Offline Reading List, the only features now left out for iPhone 3GS owners are the ones you'd expect to be excluded from a 3-year-old phone, such as FaceTime, Siri and those 3D-heavy map flyovers. While the iPhone 4S is still the darling of the lot, 3GS owners can now cling to their aging veteran phones a little more securely for at least another year.
Visualized: The iPhone five years after launch
In case you somehow missed it, today is an important milestone in technology nostalgia: it's the fifth anniversary of the original iPhone's launch. We'll let you explore the memories of that insane day on your own terms, but ComScore has produced a visual breakdown of just how ownership has grown and shifted over the years. It's not hard to see that adoption has been on an accelerating curve, especially after the 2010 launch of the Retina display-toting iPhone 4: as of this past May, about three quarters of owners have either the iPhone 4 or the iPhone 4S. And the 2007 edition? Only two percent of all iPhone owners are still actively holding on to the aluminum-clad debut model, which suggests most would rather have Siri than reminisce. Whether you're a fan or have since moved on to a competitor, the chart is a reminder of just how far one of Steve Jobs' biggest projects has come.
Google Drive for iOS hands-on
It's an exciting time when two worlds collide, especially for iOS users that have an affection for Google services. The head honchos in Mountain View took to the stage at Moscone West today and announced two programs were going to be made available in the App Store by the end of day: Chrome and Drive. The latter pushed out first, so we decided to give the free app a closer look. Head below for some screenshots and our impressions of the service.
PSA: Which iOS 6 features can my device run? (update: more iPhone 3GS support)
So you're eagerly awaiting iOS 6 in the fall, but you'd like to know just how many features you'll end up skipping if you cling on to your existing iPad, iPhone or iPod touch for one more generation. Apple has gone to the trouble of alerting would-be upgraders just what features they'll get when they check for the update this fall, and we've compiled it in a chart for an at-a-glance view of what you'll need. The short answer: you'll want an iPhone 4S if you're craving every iOS 6 feature. Some feature gaps are defined by obvious differences like the absence of cellular hardware, but the performance limits of the iPhone 3GS or fourth-generation iPod touch turn their upgrades into a patchwork. There's also a pair of questions about iPod touch support and whether or not "iPhone 4 or later" explicitly rules out the media player; we'll update should we know more. Either way, it's evident that Apple is bending over backwards to support burgeoning markets, but also that anyone who bought in 2010 or earlier is feeling the pressure to pick up something new -- especially original iPad owners, who can't upgrade at all. iPhone 3GS iPod touch iPhone 4 iPhone 4S iPad 2 iPad (2012) Chinese service integration X X X X X X Facebook integration X X X X X X FaceTime over 3G/4G - - - X - X Flyover and turn-by-turn GPS - - - X X X Guided Access X X X X X X Made for iPhone hearing aids - - - X - - New content stores X X X X X X Offline Reading List - ? X X X X Passbook X X X X - - Phone replies and reminders X - X X - - Safari tab syncing X X X X X X Shared Photo Streams X X X X X X Siri - - - X - X VIP list, flagged/VIP mailboxes X X X X X X Update: Since we first posted this, Apple has updated its support to add Shared Photo Streams and the VIP list support going all the way back to the iPhone 3GS. Support is much more consistent now, even if it still leaves the 3GS lagging in some areas.
Newest version of ultrasn0w unlocks iPhone 4, 3GS on iOS 5.1.1, RedSn0w 0.9.12b1 also released
Are you one of those folks who depends heavily on an iPhone 4 / 3GS unlock, but made the unsafe trip toward iOS 5.1.1 territory? Worry no more, as the hard-working Dev-Team's come through yet again, delivering its newest version of ultrasn0w to help alleviate your carrier lockdown problems. Version 1.2.7 of the unlocking method is friendly with iPhone 4s (nope, not the 4S) on baseband 01.59.00, while the older 3G / 3GS slabs will have to be on 04.26.08, 05.11.07, 05.12.01, 05.13.04 or 06.15.00. To go along with the latest ultrasn0w release, the Dev-Team also outed a fresh copy of RedSn0w (0.9.12b1) for both Windows and Mac, making it easier for devices sporting Cupertino's A4 chip -- and other earlier ones -- to adopt and restore using an untethered solution. All in all, we'd say it's a pretty good day for the jailbreak scene. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Facebook Camera hands-on
Facebook has kept itself rather busy in the last month or so with such tasks as going public and purchasing popular photo-sharing app Instagram, but that doesn't mean it stopped working on other projects in the meantime. This realization is apparent with the launch of Facebook Camera, a photo-centric application that chooses to remain separated from the company's general mobile representation. It's still connected with the social network, of course, but it brings a fresh user interface and some light Photoshop-esque features to the table: filters, cropping, zoom, twist and so on. We had the opportunity to grab the new app and take it for a spin on an iPhone, so check out the gallery and continue below for our first impressions. %Gallery-156116%
Apple to seek new life for iPhone 3GS in emerging markets
The iPhone 3GS is still being sold in the US and other countries, but by the time the next-generation iPhone appears later this year the 3GS will be getting a little long in the tooth. Jefferies & Company analyst Peter Misek says that Apple has apparently signed a deal with a global distributor to sell the 3GS as a prepaid phone in emerging markets. In a note to clients, Misek didn't provide a lot of information but did say that he thinks the wholesale cost of the iPhone 3GS will drop from the current US$375 to $200 to $250. Jefferies has increased its estimates of iPhone sales for the quarter ending June 30, 2012. Misek doesn't believe that other Wall Street analysts are properly accounting for Hon Hai's (Foxconn) plant in Brazil, and thinks that Apple will manufacture between 28 and 30 million iPhones. The pessimists on The Street say that Apple's iPhone production will be about 2 million iPhones less than the range quoted by Jefferies & Company.
Max Payne to rampage on iOS April 12th, Android April 26th
Are you a smartphone user with an itchy trigger finger? Listen up. Rockstar Games has announced that the one and only Max Payne will begin terrorizing your iOS and Android devices in the very near future. The wares will be available for Apple-branded gear (iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, along with the iPod touch 4 and all iPad iterations) on April 12th, and Google's implements two weeks later on the 26th. Max Payne Mobile is promising to deliver HD graphics, high resolution textures and exclusive content via the company's Social Club service to your miniaturized screen. Rockstar did not elaborate on which Android sets would be supported, but promised to publish a full list "in the coming weeks." Limber up those thumbs, charge up that handset and get ready to lay waste to... pretty much anything that moves.
