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Ryan Seacrest's keyboard case turns your iPhone into a BlackBerry (video)
The market for keyboard-equipped phones may be on the wane, but don't tell that to Ryan Seacrest -- the American Idol host is convinced that messaging mavens need real buttons. To that end, he's jumping into hardware and launching the Typo Keyboard for the iPhone 5 and 5s. The Bluetooth case turns an Apple handset into a makeshift BlackBerry Q10, complete with backlit, sculpted keys that cover up the iPhone's home button (there's a small substitute key); we hope you don't need multitasking, folks. The Typo Keyboard will make its formal debut at CES in early January, and it should ship that month for $99. Thankfully, that means we'll escape a sales pitch during New Year's Rockin' Eve.
A better, yet more cumbersome iOS 7 gamepad: hands-on with the MOGA Ace Power
Two sticks, four face buttons, a pair of shoulder paddles and a d-pad: the formula for a modern gamepad and the layout of MOGA's Ace Power controller. It's a pretty standard assortment of inputs, but this controller happens to be the first fully featured peripheral to support Apple's new iOS 7 gamepad protocols. Naturally, we couldn't wait to put the pad through its paces. The MOGA Ace may have the normal assortment of buttons and triggers, but it has one trick most gamepads can't emulate: it telescopes. Taken out of the box, the Ace is hardly longer than an iPhone 5s, but pulling on either end stretches the peripheral to fit your iDevice. The Gamepad's left side retains enough tension to hold a device in place on its own, but our iPod had trouble identifying the controller unless we made a point of pushing the controller's edges inward to secure the connection. Once we had a compatible iOS 7 device locked in place, however, the Ace worked like a dream.
MOGA Ace Power gamepad for the iPhone is the first with full iOS 7 support
Gaming controllers for iPhones are nothing new, but MOGA claims it's just launched the first to work with iOS 7 and its native gamepad support -- as we saw with the as-yet unreleased GameCase. The Ace Power works with the Apple's latest handsets, including the iPhone 5, 5c, 5s and fifth-gen iPod, connecting via the lightening port and locking it in place with something Moga calls "S.M.R.T. Lock technology." Like the Android model, you can charge your device while playing thanks to an 1,800mAh battery and the whole thing can be collapsed for easy toting when you're done. As for controls, you'll get dual analog sticks, L1/R1 and L2/R2 buttons, a D-pad, and four action buttons. Moga hasn't said which games will support it yet, though it believes that a "flood" of game developers will take advantage of the iOS7's new native gamepad controls soon. We're looking forward to getting our own mitts on it, but if you're willing to jump in now, you can pre-order it soon for $100 at Apple's online and retail stores, or via Moga, at the source.
Apple sold 33.8 million iPhones this summer, but faces tough competition
In reporting its latest quarterly earnings today, Apple announced record fourth-quarter sales of iPhones -- 33.8 million, up 26 percent from 26.9 million in the same quarter last year -- along with virtually flat iPad sales of 14.1 million this quarter, up from 14 million last year. During the same period, arch-rival Samsung, which just reported its earnings last Thursday, sold 86 million smartphones, though Samsung's lineup has far more models than Apple's, including entry-level versions that don't compete directly with the iPhone. Samsung is facing its own challenges at the top of its range, and sold just 16 million of its flagship Galaxy S4 during the period, according to estimates. Apple continued to lead the tablet market, selling 14.1 million iPads in the quarter, compared to Samsung's 10.5 million -- though Samsung's tablet sales doubled from last year.
OtterBox Preserver case for iPhone 5: Review and giveaway
OtterBox has just introduced a new line of iPhone cases that should capture the attention of anyone who spends time around water. The Preserver Series (US$89.95) is now available for iPhone 5, and will soon be shipping for iPhone 5s and 5c. The case features the ability to be submerged in water up to 2m (6.6 feet) deep for up to 30 minutes without the water resistance being compromised. That same watertightness also insures IP68 dust and debris protection, and the entire design of the case -- like all OtterBox products -- is centered around making sure that your device survives drops and bumps. The Preserver Series uses two-piece snap construction for easy installation. The front portion of the case features all of the various buttons and sealed ports, and includes a clear screen protector as well. The back of the case has a soft, padded interior that nestles against the back of your iPhone to keep it safe from scratches. These two pieces snap together to create a watertight seal. As with other waterproof cases made by OtterBox and others, the Preserver should be tested prior to final installation on your device. The case comes with a lanyard so you can dangle it from your wrist, and it's available in four different color combinations: pistachio (bright green) and white, carbon (dark gray) and black, glacier (white) and gray, and soon primrose (pink) and white. Our review sample is the pistachio color, and it would be very easy to find if you dropped it while out in the great outdoors as it is very eye-catching. I didn't have an iPhone 5 available for testing, so I wasn't able to try the case on an actual phone. However, I did do the watertightness test and can vouch that the inside of the case stayed dry after 30 minutes in water with a coffee mug on top of it. I'll be interested to see how OtterBox manages to create a Preserver that works with the Touch ID home button of the iPhone 5s -- perhaps the company will provide a sealable "door" for unlocking the phone with a finger? Who knows... As with all of OtterBox's other case lines for iPhone, the Preserver series is solid and extremely well-built. Without the lanyard installed, the iPhone 5 model will add only two ounces to the weight of your phone. It will add some bulk to your phone in terms of size; there's just no way to get this type of protection in a slender case. Conclusion The new OtterBox Preserver Series case for iPhone 5 looks like another winner in the OtterBox lineup, providing water resistance and solid drop protection in an attractive package. Pros Water resistant for up to 30 minutes in 2m of water Provides IP68 dust and debris protection Tested to withstand drops of up to 2m without harming the iPhone 5 Comes with attachable wrist lanyard Cons Only works with the iPhone 5 at this time; models for iPhone 5s and 5c are forthcoming Who is it for? The outdoor enthusiast or swimmer who wants a phone case that can withstand drops and the occasional dunking Giveaway Have an iPhone 5? Want to keep it working well and looking brand new despite dropping it in water on occasion? We have a rugged OtterBox Preserver case for iPhone 5 with someone's name on it -- and it could be you. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before October 25, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive an OtterBox Preserver Series case for iPhone 5 valued at $89.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Camera showdown: iPhone 5s vs. iPhone 5 tested in the wilds of Patagonia
One of our favorite travel photogs, Austin Mann, snapped up an iPhone 5 and flew to Iceland last year in order to pit Apple's latest flagship against its prior king in a bitterly cold camera test. This year, Mr. Mann hopped a flight down to Patagonia in order to pit the iPhone 5s' sensor against that of the 5. One of the more remarkable findings was the dynamic exposure applied to panoramas with the 5s; in his testing, pans that involved dark and light subjects were accounted for properly without the use of HDR. The result was a far more evenly lit panoramic image, whereas prior iPhone cameras tended to blow out a portion of the image to compensate for another portion. The 5s also demonstrated dynamic range that was said to be "remarkably better" than on the 5. In post-processing, images taken with the 5s maintained integrity far better than the 5 when using Snapseed to recover details lost in shadows. Not surprisingly, shutter lag has gone from impressive to "nonexistent," and he noted that the 5s' burst mode is intensely useful for action shooters who need to quickly grab a litany of shots (say, of a lion pouncing on its next meal) and select the one with just a few swipes. The iPhone 5's camera was certainly no slouch, but Apple's tweaking seems to have produced a markedly superior camera on the 5s. Interestingly, in a gallery of side-by-side comparison shots, the 5s displayed results that were a bit flatter with less noticeable contrast. According to Mann, "photographers will liken this to a RAW image, which doesn't look as nice off the bat, but has a lot more flexibility for editing on the backend." For more comparisons -- including a look at the 120FPS Slo Mo mode -- point your browser of choice right here.
OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet: To protect and to serve
OtterBox has been making protective cases since 1998, making the company the great-granddaddy of the entire huge smartphone/tablet case market. The company announced a new member of the family yesterday, introducing the Commuter Series Wallet (US$44.95) for the iPhone 5/5s. We've been seeing a lot of different wallet cases lately, many of which are more wallet (think leather) than protective case. OtterBox has taken the protection of the Commuter Series cases and merged it with a slide-out drawer-like back that can hold up to three credit or ID cards and one folded bill. Like the other members of the Commuter Series, the Wallet wraps your iPhone 5 or 5s in rubbery silicone that is then surrounded by a tough polycarbonate shell. The screen is covered with a stick-on screen protector (it leaves space for the Touch ID-enabled home button of the iPhone 5s), so your preciousss is going to be in good hands while living in the Commuter Series Wallet. There's a silicone door that covers the Lightning port, another one that covers the headphone jack, and soft buttons that cover the volume toggle and power switch. Installing the case is a piece of cake, although it takes some muscle to take it back off. Once the case is on your iPhone 5, you can rest assured that whatever you put into the wallet "drawer" is going to stay put. It makes an audible "click" when shut, and requires a bit of pressure to open. I can verify that two credit cards and a driver's license fit into the case snugly, but I had no cash with which to check out the "one folded bill" claim... If there's one negative I can find with the Commuter Series Wallet, it's that it's somewhat difficult to get cards out -- a small ramp on the bottom edge of the drawer would have made it a bit easier to slide cards out. As it is, you have to kind of pick them out with your fingers. The Commuter Series Wallet is available now from OtterBox in black and glacier (white hard shell with gray silicone), and will soon be available in primrose (pinkish hard shell with light gray silicone). The case weighs just 2.0 ounces (56.7 grams), not bad considering the level of protection it provides. Unsurprisingly, it's a little thick at .71 inches (1.8 cm), but when you consider that the case can eliminate the need to carry a separate wallet, that's not a real issue. Check out the video below for a demonstration of the Commuter Series Wallet Case, and then read on for a chance to win one of these cases. Conclusion With the Commuter Series Wallet for iPhone 5/5s, OtterBox has entered the case wallet market with a bang. The case provides the excellent drop protection that the company's line is known for, and provides a convenient and secure way to carry an ID card and some credit cards. Pros Reasonably priced for a high-quality protective product Very lightweight Positive feedback on the drawer mechanism insures that your cards remain safely stowed Excellent build quality Cons It would be nice if the cards could just slide out with pressure from a thumb; as it is, they must be picked out of the drawer one by one. Who is it for? The iPhone 5/5s owner who is looking both for the protection of one of OtterBox's Commuter Series cases and the convenience of not having to carry a separate wallet Giveaway Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before October 8, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive an OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet valued at $44.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Original Plants vs. Zombies finally gets 4-inch screen support
The original Plants vs. Zombies -- one of the most popular iOS game of the last few years-- has finally received 4-inch screen support so it runs at native resolution on the iPhone 5, 5s, 5c and newest iPod touch. As MacRumors points out, in May of this year, Apple began requiring all apps to support the 4-inch display on the iPhone 5. Any apps that did not would not be approved in their next updates. The fact that the original Plants vs. Zombies has gone without an update for so long was a source of major frustration to many users with an iPhone 5. The long delay for iPhone 5 screen support probably had something to do with Popcap working on the Plants vs. Zombies sequel. Now that it's finished, it's likely that the company had time to update the original. The original Plants vs. Zombies is available in 4-inch glory on the App Store for US$0.99.
You can now turn your iPhone into the iFruit from GTA V
Grand Theft Auto V does a great job of skewering modern tech culture, as well as Apple itself, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the "iFruit" smartphones that are seen in the game. Now, with the help of a handy skin from Mobile Fun, you can turn your iPhone 4, 4s, 5 or 5s into an iFruit too. The covering is pretty basic, with the key changes being the name "iFruit" replacing the "iPhone" moniker on your smartphone's backside, along with the fruit bowl logo. The skin is made of vinyl and retails for a reasonable US$12.99. [via Inventor Spot]
Portenzo Alano SLIM and HardBack wallet cases for iPhone 5c/5s
I've got to admit that I've been really happy with the current trend of combining iPhone cases and wallets. They're both items that you carry around in your pockets, so why not take the functionality of an iPhone case -- protecting your iPhone -- and combine it with carrying around credit cards, IDs, and cash? Of the many wallet cases I've reviewed over the last couple of years, two of the nicest are the Alano SLIM (US$44.95 to $64.95, plus add-ons) and HardBack ($34.95, plus add-ons) from Portenzo. Let's take a look at these stylish cases, and then readers have a chance to win one from TUAW and Portenzo. The design of the Alano SLIM starts with a slim leather "booklet" that surrounds the iPhone. The cover is held closed in transit with a Moleskine-like elastic band, perfect for making sure that it's not going to flop open and expose your iPhone screen to scratches. The leather covers come in eleven different finishes, ranging from a faux antique American passport to a rich dark chocolate leather. The HardBack uses fabric on the outside instead of leather, but is just as nice -- some of the designs sport bright colors or patterns, while others are less flashy. One add-on feature of the HardBack case is the Intellistand, a way of folding the case origami-style to stand it up in landscape mode. Your iPhone isn't surrounded by plastic or wood, meaning that you have unfettered access to all ports and buttons at all times. So how does the phone stay in the Portenzo case? Simple -- there's a nanosuction GripPad (replaceable) on one side. Just align your iPhone and slap it onto the super-sticky material, and it is held in place. Need to remove your phone? No problem -- just give it a good tug and it comes off, leaving no residue. The Alano SLIM's wallet has two main pockets into which you can slide a couple of IDs, credit cards, and maybe even some cash. On the other hand, the HardBack wallet uses a "expandable folder" type of construction that can hold much more -- although you really don't want to overload it. Now, about those add-ons that are noted with the pricing. Portenzo uses a "build your own" model for these case/wallets, so the base price of the Alano SLIM cases does not include the wallet bits (that's an additional $20). The HardBack has two possible add-ons; the $20 wallet parts and the $4.95 Intellistand. That means that a decked-out Alano SLIM can cost as much as $84.90, while a fully-loaded HardBack checks in at $54.85. How do they look? Well, we received a "US Passport" model Alano Slim with all the trimmings and a Dark Blue HardBack with the Intellistand and wallet. Take a look at the images (I just placed the iPhone 5 on top of the GripPad instead of removing it) and you can see the amount of love put into the construction of the cases. Conclusion Portenzo's Alano SLIM and HardBack cases are well-built and beautiful, although somewhat pricy -- especially for the Alano SLIM. Pros Unique designs, especially for the Alano SLIM line Quality construction Easy to remove and re-install the iPhone HardBack's Intellistand works well to hold the iPhone in a landscape orientation HardBack's wallet expands to hold a lot of cards and cash Cons Alano SLIM is quite pricy once the wallet feature is added on Who is it for? The person who wants to ditch the wallet and do it in style Now it's your turn to have a chance to win one of these two cases. Note that the review cases are compatible with the iPhone 5 and 5c; the model for the iPhone 5s might need a slightly larger camera cutout on the back to house the True Tone flash. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before September 20, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Portenzo Alano SLIM wallet case valued at $84.90, while the other gets a Portenzo HardBack wallet case valued at $54.85 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
This week on gdgt: Sony's RX100 II, HP's Slatebook X2 and keeping your iPhone 5
Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their most recent picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt's newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.
Belkin TrueClear InvisiGlass screen protector covers your glass... with glass
Belkin will soon be shipping a new product for your favorite Apple device that should be perfect for protecting that new iPhone 5c or 5s from scratches and breakage from day one. The new TrueClear InvisiGlass screen protectors (US$39.99 for iPhone 5) don't use plastic like competing products. Instead, they're made of a flexible glass that's only 0.2mm thick. Belkin says that the TrueClear InvisiGlass protector is nine times stronger than the plastic competition, yet is 2.5 times smoother. It won't stand in the way of protecting the rest of your investment with a case, and the company includes a cleaning wipe and dust-removal film to make sure that no lint or dust gets between your screen and the protector. The TrueClear InvisiGlass protectors are available for the iPhone 4 / 4S and the iPhone 5. Since the iPhone 5, 5c and 5s share the same 4-inch diagonal screen, your new phone can get the same level of protection. While Belkin's website still shows the TrueClear InvisiGlass Screen Protector as "coming soon," TUAW and Belkin are giving one away. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before September 16, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Belkin TrueClear InvisiGlass screen protector for iPhone 5 valued at $39.95 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Walmart to sell iPhone 5c for $79, iPhone 5s for $189
If you think that the iPhone 5c and 5s are a little too pricey, we've got good news: Walmart plans to sell both Apple smartphones at a discount from the very start. The 16GB iPhone 5c will sell for $79 on contract, or $20 less than the official price, while the 16GB iPhone 5s will be available for $189. As elsewhere, pre-orders for the 5c will start on September 13th; both of the new iPhones will ship on the 20th. Don't like contracts? You're not left out of the bargains -- Walmart plans to slash $100 off the prices of Straight Talk's iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 variants, which will respectively cost $349 and $549 as of September 14th. The savings are small when compared to the service fees you'll pay over a few years, but it's hard to object to having a little more money left in your pocket.
Poll: are you buying the new iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c?
For the first time in the history of the iPhone product line, Apple today unveiled two entirely new products: the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. Naturally, they're pretty well differentiated, which may make the decision to pick one up (or not) that much more challenging. So, we leave it to you, dear reader: are you planning to equip yourself with one of Apple's newest phones here in just a few weeks? If so, which one? If not, why? Of course, those who've found little to love about iOS have some fairly fantastic options coming their way this holiday season as well. Leave your vote and note below, won't you? And, please, keep it civil -- internet comments are forever, after all. %Poll-84522% Follow our liveblog for all of the iPhone news as it happened. Check out all the coverage at our iPhone 2013 event hub!
Apple killed the iPhone 5, but the iPhone 4s lives to fight another day
Steve Jobs loved the 3.5-inch screen size of the iPhone 4, and once famously claimed that "no one's going to buy" the larger smartphones that were competing with the iPhone back in 2010. Now here we are with 2014 fast approaching and a pair of new 4-inch iPhones on the horizon. But while the iPhone 5 has proved to be a success despite -- or perhaps thanks to -- its gorgeous 4-inch display, Jobs was undoubtedly right about one thing: A 3.5-inch smartphone is the sweet spot for many, many users. Today, Apple showed the world the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, while at the same time putting an axe in the original iPhone 5. If you want a 4-inch Apple smartphone you'll soon have to choose between a polycarbonate-bodied device in a wacky color (or white, I suppose) or the new top-of-the line 5s model. And yet when Apple showed off its new smartphone lineup today, the iPhone 4s remains. The iPhone 4s is free with a new two-year contract through many mobile carriers, and that has helped give new life to the years-old device while other similarly aged smartphones have the relevance of paperweights. When was the last time you heard about continued worldwide demand for the HTC Thunderbolt or Motorola Atrix? But the iPhone 4s remains one of the world's best-selling smartphones, and even managed to outlive its successor. That's quite an accomplishment. On top of that, the iPhone 4s continues to be supported with updates from Apple, and the much-anticipated iOS 7 update will still be supported on the aging device. Now, this isn't the first time we've seen an Apple device continue on even after its immediate heir has been usurped; Apple pulled the same trick with the iPad line in late 2012. When the fourth generation of the iPad was announced, the third-gen model (which had just been released eight months prior) was sent out to pasture, but production on the 16GB iPad 2 continues even today.
iPhone 5s vs. iPhone 5: what's changed?
The iPhone 5s has finally been unveiled. Following an intense buildup of pre-announcement hype and leaks, Apple describes its latest flagship iOS device as the "most forwarding-thinking iPhone yet." Wondering how the specs compare to the regular 'ol 5, though? We're glad you asked because we've laid it all out just past the break. Check out our liveblog of Apple's event to get the latest news as it happens! Check out all the coverage at our iPhone 2013 event hub!
Apple's iPhone 5c cases are protective and obnoxiously colorful
Apple doesn't usually produce cases for its smartphones, but the iPhone 5c isn't like any iPhone before it. At today's Apple event, the iPhone 5c was shown alongside a new line of custom protective cases that will allow you to mix and match a wide range of looks for the device. The new cases feature cutouts for the phone's camera lens and flash, as well as the lock button, while the volume buttons are integrated into the case design. Each case will be sold for US$29.
Apple's next-generation iPhone liveblog!
You've arrived! But we haven't. If you're here a little early, fret not -- we'll be back at 10AM PT to kick things off from Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California. The topic of conversation? iPhone, naturally. We're expecting an iPhone 5S and perhaps an iPhone 5C for those seeking something a little more vibrant. Of course, a gilded iPhone is also pretty vibrant. At any rate, be sure to bookmark this very page and return at the time listed below -- if the machines behind the scenes are working properly, it'll calculate based on your time zone. Huzzah! September 10, 2013 1:00:00 PM EDT
Telus document: iPhone 5 models could be discontinued September 28th
A leaked document from Telus seems to confirm recent rumblings that the iPhone 5 could be discontinued following Apple's colorful event on September 10th. The internal notice of discontinuation shows 32GB and 64GB versions of the phone disappearing on September 28th (one day after the expected 5S availability), with the 16GB model escaping the axe. That lines up with rumors that the iPhone 5 will be displaced by a new iPhone 5S model at the high end, and a widely rumored, multi-hued plastic version at the mid end. Prescient analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also thought the 16GB iPhone 5 would stay on to bolster the bottom of the lineup, much the way the 4S does right now. All of that seems to tie everything up in a nice bow, but still -- rumors and leaks, right?
Apple confirms September 10th iPhone event, and we'll be there live!
The next iPhone will be (presumably) unveiled on September 10th, as hinted at on the Apple-delivered invite that you see above. When the curtains pull back, it'll be nearly a year to the day since the iPhone 5 was ushered into reality, and it'll no doubt be a monumentally important day for the company. Particularly compared to the barrage of products Apple introduced in 2012 -- iPad mini, iPhone 5, the MacBook Pro with Retina display, enhanced MacBook Air / iMac / Mac mini lines, a redesigned iPod nano, a revised iPad / iPod touch / Apple TV, ad OS X Mountain Lion -- 2013 has been eerily quiet. Outside of a tweaked iPhone 5 for T-Mobile's network, a Haswell-infused MacBook Air and a tease of the next-generation Mac Pro, we've been left with little more than hopes for newly-inspired versions of iOS and OS X. That changes on the 10th of September, as at the very least, we're expecting a next-gen iPhone to hit the stage. We'll also be holding out hope for an oh-so-colorful lower-end iPhone 5C for emerging markets -- markets where Android and even Windows Phone are the platforms of choice for communities making the move into the smartphone era. We wouldn't put it past Apple to also revise its iPad line while it's at it, and naturally, iOS 7 should be just about primed for release to the masses. As you'd expect, we'll be on hand in Cupertino in order to liveblog every second of the action, and we'd invite you to cast your best guesses on what's to come in comments below.
