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T-Mobile LTE speed tests on Note II, HTC One and iPhone 5
Wondering whether T-Mobile's LTE network has the chops to live up to the "smokin'" adjectives we had thrown our way throughout the event? We certainly were, so we headed right to the suite of devices and got our hands-on all the phones we could. Speeds are quite good in general -- but interestingly things did start slowing down as more and more folks fired up Ookla's SpeedTest app, doing all they could to test T-Mo's nascent network. Join us after the break for our findings.
T-Mobile's iPhone 5 gets official: we go hands-on (update: now with video)
Before today, using an iPhone on T-Mobile's network meant a compromise on speed: unlocked handsets would get service, but only on EDGE. Thanks to spectrum refarming efforts that started last fall, the operator has been able to suddenly "turn on" 4G (the HSPA+ kind) for that grey market segment. But with Apple now bringing the iPhone 5 officially to T-Mobile's newly launched LTE lineup, the UnCarrier's subscriber base no longer has to trade down. Being the last of the major US carriers to be granted access to the Cupertino cult, T-Mobile trotted out the device with a decent amount of fanfare. Well, at least as much as can be mustered for a six month-old device. And, what can we say, an iPhone is an iPhone. Aesthetically, it's the same handset that's already available from AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and a handful of regional carriers. That means a large swath of fortified glass on the front and a sheet of lovely metal on the rear. When it launches on April 12th with a $99 down payment, it'll be able to hop on T-Mobile's burgeoning LTE network on the AWS band. But, should that not be active in your hometown, it'll fallback to big-magenta's AWS-powered HSPA+ 42Mbps network.
T-Mobile says its iPhone 5 has HSPA+ on AWS bands, HD Voice
We all know the iPhone is at last reaching T-Mobile -- but what you might not know is that it won't just be a one-for-one port of the existing hardware. Carrier CEO John Legere just stated that the T-Mobile iPhone 5 will support HSPA+ on AWS bands (1,700MHz and 2,100MHz) in addition to ready-made LTE support. If you wander outside of an LTE coverage area, you'll still have up to 42Mbps data on Magenta's network. There's more: it'll also support the same HD Voice calling that went nationwide in January.
T-Mobile to finally start carrying the iPhone with no contract, pay $99.99 upfront, and HSPA+ support (updated)
This one falls in the "it's about time" category: the last of the national US cellular carriers is finally going to offer the iPhone. T-Mobile will officially carry the iPhone starting April 12, with pre-orders beginning April 5. At the company's Uncarrier event this morning in New York City, it announced that the iPhone 5 will be available for US$99.99 down, and the ability to pay the rest in $20 installments over the next two years -- with no annual contracts. T-Mobile also will offer the iPhone 4S under the same agreement with $69.99 down/$20 monthly installments over two years and the iPhone 4 for $14.99 down/$15 monthly installments. The iPhone 5 will be available in all markets, but the iPhone 4 and 4S in select ones. T-Mobile CEO John Legere said that the iPhone 5 offered through T-Mobile will support HSPA+42 in AWS and HSPA+ in MetroPCS in addition to LTE, along with high-definition voice calls. T-Mobile announced in December that the iPhone would be coming to its network in 2013 and has been encouraging people to bring their iPhones over to its Value Plan since September. As of 2011, more than 1 million iPhones were being used on T-Mobile's network, even though the company did not have any ties to Apple at that time. You can follow our sister site Engadget's liveblog of the Uncarrier event, as more details are released. [via Engadget] Update (12:10 p.m.): More details on the plans added and HSPA+ support, along with official press release.
iPhone 5 coming to T-Mobile April 12th, 4S and 4 available in 'select markets'
Remember when T-Mobile announced that it would begin carrying Apple products sometime this year? It looks like today's the day we finally get more information. As we've been expecting, the fourth-largest carrier is now ready to officially offer the iPhone after years of inviting customers to bring an unlocked model onto its network. (Update: see our hands-on here!) The iPhone 5 will be available in retail stores and online starting April 12th, but you'll be able to pre-order one beginning April 5th. Additionally, the iPhone 4S and 4 will be coming to "select markets," though we haven't seen details on which markets or when they'll be offered. What about pricing? You can grab the iPhone 5 for $100 down and pay the rest in $20 monthly installments for the next two years; the 4S will be $70 down (with the same $20 installments) and the 4 will be $15 down with $15 monthly payments. No doubt, this move will make its forthcoming LTE launch even more enticing, but that's not all: T-Mobile CEO John Legere stated on stage that his company's version of the iPhone 5 will support AWS HSPA+ in addition to LTE. HD Voice is also offered on this particular model. We also learned that despite the network's use of the "UnCarrier" brand, its version of the iPhone 5 will be locked to T-Mobile until the phone is completely paid off. Stay updated on T-Mobile's announcements with our liveblog!
Live from T-Mobile's UnCarrier event!
It's time for T-Mobile to unveil its new set of UnCarrier plans -- and maybe more. Back in January, we heard the iPhone would be going magenta sometime in the next three months and... why, would you look at the time? It's been just over three months! Are you ready for Apple's latest and greatest to break down the walls of one more carrier, and for that carrier to turn everything we know about contracts and plan pricing on its head? You'd better be. Join us at the time below for some proper liveblog action live from the event here in New York City.
Apple sets a May 1st cutoff for new apps that use UDIDs, don't support iPhone 5 and Retina screens
Apple has been weaning app developers away from UDID and its privacy concerns for more than a year, but it looks like the company's about to put its foot down -- and up the hardware support requirements in the process. As of May 1st, the company will stop accepting new app submissions that demand a UDID to single out individual devices; creators will have to use the ad and vendor identifiers that came with iOS 6. They'll also have to develop apps for Retina displays as a matter of course, including the taller iPhone 5 screen. We can't imagine that the news will please those who have a need for legacy UDID support, or can't easily update a long-serving app for Retina screens, but Apple clearly feels it's time to move on.
Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5: Review and giveaway
This is going to one of the shortest TUAW accessory reviews you've seen in a while, but stick around -- there's a giveaway at the end of it. Mophie followed up on the release of the Juice Pack Helium for iPhone 5 (US$79.95) with the new Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5 ($99.95). What's the difference, other than the name and the price? Read on for details. Design The Juice Pack Air follows in the footsteps of its predecessors for earlier iPhones by providing a lightweight, yet high capacity battery case. It provides a total of 1700 mAh of capacity compared to 1500 mAh for the Juice Pack Helium. Size-wise, the Juice Pack Air measures in at 2.60" x 5.54" x 0.63", slightly larger than the Juice Pack Helium at 2.49" x 5.49" x 0.59". The Air is also heavier, weighing 2.68 ounces compared to 2.44 ounces for the Helium. What that little bit of extra size and weight for the Juice Pack Air gets you is a complete charge on an iPhone 5, while the Helium won't recharge the phone all the way to 100 percent. As with the Juice Pack Helium, the Air uses a micro-USB charging cable rather than a pass-through Lightning adapter. Both cases include a pass-through audio jack cable, which isn't really needed with Apple-provided headsets but comes in handy when using third-party earbuds. There's one other big difference: if you were a fan of the red Juice Pack Air for iPhone 4/4S, you'll be happy to know that the iPhone 5 Air will be available later this week in a PRODUCT(RED) special version. That's the sexy case you see at the top of this review... Functionality Like the Juice Pack Helium and the earlier versions of the Air, the case is simple to install. It splits apart at about the lower third of the case, and you just slide your iPhone onto the Lightning connector and then into the top of the case. The charging and capacity LEDs are still on the back of the case, and the new Air adopts the sliding power switch of the Helium. Fans of Mophie's previous products will find a lot to love with the new Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5, and the sleek lines and excellent construction of the case are sure to attract a lot of new friends for Mophie. Conclusion To finish off this short review, I'll recall the lines I wrote at the end of my review of the Juice Pack Helium for iPhone 5 last month -- "The company was a pioneer in battery cases for iPhones and has done six years of research and development in this field. That work shows in the clean lines of the Juice Pack Air and the efficient manner in which it keeps your iPhone 5 protected and powered." Pros Very well-built by a pioneer in iPhone battery cases Easy to install and remove without tools Case provides excellent protection while providing 100% more battery capacity than a standalone iPhone 5 PRODUCT(RED) model is available and looks great Designed and tested to not interfere with phone reception Cons Adds weight and bulk to the iPhone 5, as do all battery cases Who is it for? iPhone 5 users who need protection and power in a single, well-designed case Giveaway We're giving away a brand new black Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5 valued at $99.95 to one very lucky TUAW reader. 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 March 24, 2013 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5 valued at $99.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Insert Coin: Gridcase's Reactor lets you manually resuscitate your iPhone 5
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. The iPhone 5 already has its share of cases with extended batteries, but how about one with a backup plan for your backup plan? Taking to Crowd Supply for funding, Gridcase's Reactor features an internal 400mAh battery and a crank-powered 500mAh generator that allows users to manually distribute power to their phone's fading cell. Aside from being an on the go smartphone defibrillator, the Reactor adds a micro USB port to your iPhone 5, freeing it from being locked into using Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. If Gridcase's $350,000 crowdfunding campaign is successful and product development goes according to plan, the company will start sending out its first batch of orders in mid-November. As for pricing, the project's first 10,000 backers can score the Reactor for $99 while late adopters will have to pay a premium of $129. So, if you like what you're hearing and you're not afraid of a little manual labor, head on over to the source link below to make a pledge. For those of you who are still on the fence, check out the Reactor's demo video after the break.
XBMC 12.1 makes full use of iPhone 5, improves Raspberry Pi player and more
The XBMC crew hasn't been distracted by its early work on XBMC 13 Gotham -- it's more than willing to share the love with those who are still busy with Frodo's adventures. A just-launched XBMC 12.1 update improves the experience in several ways on Apple platforms, rolling up iOS 6 support for second-generation Apple TV boxes, making full use of the iPhone 5's expanded screen and bringing support in OS X for both the default audio device and playback acceleration from Intel GPUs. There's a number of upgrades elsewhere as well: XBMC no longer monopolizes audio in Linux, runs more reliably on the Raspberry Pi and supports more Xbox 360 controllers and HDMI-CEC devices. Android has received an audio control tweak of its own and the software is available in seven new languages We'd say 12.1 is a near-automatic download if XBMC is the cornerstone of your living room, hit the source to find out everything new that awaits, or check out the Github link.
V-moda unveils Vamp Verza: a dockable, device-agnostic headphone amp and DAC for mobile audiophiles (update: video)
Last we heard from V-moda, the company was appealing to audiophile sensibilities with its $300 Crossfade M-100 portable headphones. Continuing in that respect, today it's officially unveiling the Vamp Verza as a followup to last summer's $650 iPhone 4/4S-purposed Vamp spy tool headphone amp, DAC & case combo. The aluminum-clad Verza is a device-agnostic solution that uses a sliding dock system with special $100 Metallo cases to give any supported devices a similar all-in-one feel to the original. At launch, a GS III case is available, with an iPhone 5 model a few weeks out -- the company is aiming to get GS IV and Note II cases out next. The unit's 150mW x 2 amplifier will bypass your iDevice's audio output via a USB port on its bottom, while an adjacent microUSB port can take advantage of the external sound card profile found in Android Jelly Bean. V-moda notes the microUSB port acts like a traditional USB audio device, so it'll work with mostly any device. As you might guess, both ports have their own specific DACs routing audio at different power levels to its op-amp.
Comparing the HTC ONE and iPhone 5
HTC introduced its flagship One smartphone earlier this year at a global press event. Unlike Samsung which crafts its phones from plastic, HTC took a page from Apple and used aluminum in the One's design. According to Android Central, which compared the HTC One with an iPhone 5, this brushed aluminum is where the similarities between the two phones end. Reviewer Phil Nickinson notes that the sizes of the two phones are different, and their shapes are distinct as well. At the end of his comparison, Nickinson simply concludes that the iPhone is the iPhone and the HTC One is the HTC One. You can read the quick point-by-point comparison on Android Central's website.
Apple debuts two new iPhone TV ads
Apple continues its app-centric advertisements with two new commercials that feature the iPhone 5. Earlier ads in this campaign were focused on the iPad, so this is a nice change that lets us see some intriguing iPhone apps. You can check out the commercials, "Discover" and "Brilliant," embedded below and then chime in the comments with your opinions on the ads. Are any of your favorite apps in the commercials? Are there any apps that you don't recognize?
Goophone i5S KIRFs the iPhone 5S early, gives the iPhone 4S a run for its money (video)
Ah, Goophone. The company that made its name keepin' it real fake with eerily similar clones of other companies' devices, sometimes before the originals have even launched. It's clearly not dropping that tradition anytime soon, as it just previewed the i5S, an attempt to preempt the supposed iPhone 5S before even the rumor mill has produced anything tangible. As you'd almost expect, it's really a not-very-subtle imitation of the current iPhone 5 body and software that does its best to mask the use of Android (this time Jelly Bean) rather than iOS. Don't think that Goophone has learned any more about shadowing Apple on the technology front, however. The i5S is running hardware that would sometimes be trounced by a 2011-era iPhone 4S, including a dual-core 1GHz MediaTek processor, 512MB of RAM, an 854 x 480 screen and a 5-megapixel rear camera. The firm is mostly banking on absurdly low pricing to make up for the sleight-of-hand -- at its $150 launch price, the i5S costs a fraction of the real iPhone 5's price while undercutting the older yet somehow more sophisticated Goophone i5. Catch a video demo of the uncanny facsimile after the break.
OtterBox Armor Series for iPhone 5/4/4S: Protection from everything
OtterBox was one of the first iPhone case manufacturers to come out with a product -- the Defender Series -- that could handle some really rough treatment. Now OtterBox is taking the lead in iPhone protection with the new OtterBox Armor Series, which is available for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4/4S (US$99.95). The new case series not only builds on the crush and drop protection provided by the Defender Series, but also adds waterproofing. The Armor Series is designed to withstand being in up to 6.6 feet of water for 30 minutes, handling drops from 10 feet, and being crushed by a 2 ton weight. That's perfect for those situations where you drop your iPhone 5 from where you're riding on top of a rhinoceros and she proceeds to step on it and hold it underwater for a half hour... We don't believe it's designed to protect your precious from the impact of a meteorite, but for just about everything else, the Armor Series is going to help. Here's a closeup look at the Armor Series case for iPhone 5. Design As you'd expect from an iPhone case with these credentials, the Armor Series isn't exactly svelte. It weighs in at 4.1 ounces, has a thickness of about .75", a width of about 2.9", and a height of about 5.5". Compare that with a naked iPhone 5, which is only .3" thick and has dimensions of 2.31" x 4.87" and a weight of 3.95 ounces. But if you want protection, you've got it. Everything is sealed into the case, which comes in black and gray with a shock-absorbent lining of neon green, arctic blue, or electric orange. The arctic blue model has a white bezel surrounding the phone display, perfect for framing a white iPhone 5. On the right side of the case are two zinc alloy metal latches that hold the case halves together securely. To install the iPhone 5 into the case, you flip those latches open and take the back of the case off. Pop the iPhone in, slap the back on, re-do the latches and you're ready to abuse the case ... but not your iPhone. %Gallery-181062% OtterBox recommends testing the Armor Series case in water for at least 30 minutes prior to placing an iPhone into the case. They also -- like all manufacturers who make similar cases -- suggest that you "use caution when subjecting your device to extreme situations and rough treatment" and warn that "Users subject their devices to extreme circumstances at their own risk." Switches and the home button on the iPhone 5 are covered with flexible pass-through equivalents, and the headphone port is covered by a thick plug. Speakers are covered with an impermeable membrane, while speakers are covered with a mesh that lets sound out but no water or dust in. The Armor Series doesn't have a belt holster -- yet -- nor does it come in a larger variety of colors -- yet. OtterBox is probably testing the waters before committing to accessories and new colors. There is a wrist strap to make carrying the case a bit easier, although it's probably just easier to stuff it into one of the pockets on your pants. Functionality OK, so I didn't have a chance to drive my Honda CRV (a little less than 2 tons) onto my iPhone 5 in the test Armor Series case. Nor did I really feel like subjecting my personal phone to a 10-foot drop. I did, however, check the watertightness of the case. As advertised, it was easily able to withstand being held about six inches underwater for 30 minutes with no problems. However, when I left it in that same six inches of water for three hours, there was a slight leakage resulting in water coming into the case. Moral of the story? Don't try to exceed the advertised specifications. Since the Armor Series has been subjected to testing to US military standards, I have no doubt that it will be able to handle the other tests as well. It's definitely a chunky case, but the Armor Series really provides a feeling of security that surpasses any other MIL-STD case I've tested for the iPhone 5. Conclusion With the introduction of the Armor Series for the iPhone 4/4S and iPhone 5, OtterBox has again taken the lead in the rugged case category. Pros Waterproof, dust proof, shockproof, and crush proof Well constructed Easy to install and remove Colors for plugs and back padding are bright and upbeat Available immediately Cons More expensive than LifeProof's $79.99 frē case, which offers similar protection Who is it for? Anyone who needs rugged protection for their iPhone 4/4S or iPhone 5.
Tango video chat goes native on iPad, makes better use of everyone's screens
The mobile version of Tango's video chat app has almost exclusively revolved around smartphones. It's at last going a little bigger: an update to Tango's iOS app is introducing full iPad support, expanding conversations to tablet size. Those who don't need quite that grand a canvas can still make the most of what they have through the new release. Calls now use the whole screen regardless of OS, and iPhone users can touch up any soon-to-be-shared photos in Aviary. The talkative among us just need to snag Tango's upgrade at the source link to eke a little more from their screens.
Solavei now selling nano-SIMs for iPhone 5
Solavei is a low-cost mobile service provider in the US that operates on the T-Mobile network. If you've wanted to take your AT&T unlocked iPhone 5 to a cheaper network, up to now, you've had either T-Mobile or Straight Talk as options. Now Solavei is offering those cute, little nano-SIMs to those who subscribe to its US$49 all-you-can-eat network. Our compatriots at Engadget note that T-Mobile's network is still in the process of being rebuilt to handle the faster, better future, so your Solavei experience might not be the best at this point in time. At least, however, there's another option for those who want their independence from the Death Star network. Show full PR text SOLAVEI INTRODUCES NANO SIM CARDS FOR IPHONE 5, OFFERS UNLIMITED VOICE, TEXT AND DATA FOR JUST $49 PER MONTH Solavei's Low-cost, Unlimited Mobile Service is Now Compatible with all Popular Smartphones BELLEVUE, Wash. (March 6, 2013) – Solavei®, an affordable contract-free mobile service provider, today announces the availability of nano SIM cards, compatible with the iPhone 5, and widening the company's phone compatibility to include all major smartphones. For $49 per month, members can now bring popular phones such as Apple's iPhone 5, Samsung's Galaxy SIII or Google's Nexus 4 to Solavei and enjoy unlimited voice, text and data mobile service. Anyone using an iPhone 5 can simply purchase a Solavei nano SIM Card for $9 and sign up for unlimited voice, text and data for only $49 per month. For members looking to switch to Apple's latest iPhone, Solavei's mobile phone partner, GSM Nation, offers a range of unlocked pre-configured phones with six month no interest, no payment financing. Members with iPhones on Solavei service in the newly HSPA+ expanded areas will receive the highest data speeds, and unlike some other no-contract wireless providers, Solavei offers 4GB of high-speed data. Launched September 2012, Solavei has become one of the fastest growing mobile services companies and, in just five months, has paid out more than $6.5 million to its members for sharing great mobile service with others. "We created Solavei to make commerce less expensive for our members while allowing the flexibility to use the mobile phone they love," said Ryan Wuerch, founder and CEO of Solavei. "Solavei is the first company to create an economic linkage between mobile service, social commerce, and social sharing. We believe it's important to give our members great value for unlimited mobile service while using their favorite mobile phone and enable them to earn recurring monthly income for sharing Solavei with their friends and family." How Solavei Works Solavei is a cost-effective mobile phone service with no obligation to share or sign up others. Members who choose to use Solavei's powerful social commerce platform to share the Solavei opportunity with their friends and family can use the money to offset their monthly mobile bill and even have the opportunity to generate recurring monthly income. At its simplest, the plan allows members to earn $20 per month for every three members (called a "Trio") they or someone directly connected to them signs up for mobile service. When members have three Trios, the income generated is greater than their monthly plan cost of $49, essentially making their mobile service free. The more members in a person's network, the more income earned. "As a teacher, I'm always looking for additional streams of income to get ahead and help pay bills," said Jason Reeves, Solavei member from Atlanta. "With Solavei, I'm able to use my iPhone at a much better price than before – free. By simply sharing Solavei with my friends, I've positively impacted their lives and mine." To learn more about Solavei and signup for great mobile service, visit solavei.com.
Regional carrier Strata Networks to carry iPhone 5
After earlier news today that you can move your unlocked iPhone 5 to the Solavei network for some US$49 all-you-can-eat lovin', we've heard of a new regional carrier -- Strata Networks -- that will soon carry the iPhone 5 and provide another alternative to the blue, red, yellow and magenta networks. Utah-based co-op Strata Networks provides local service in the Uintah Basin, the Western Slope of Colorado and parts of Idaho. The carrier recently lit up an LTE network covering the population centers of Utah, and provides 2G/3G service for customers across the rest of the US. At this time, Strata is just taking names for current or potential customers who wish to be notified when the iPhone 5 arrives.
Solavei starts carrying nano-SIMs for iPhone 5 nomads
Those who want to use an unlocked iPhone 5 in the US beyond AT&T have had relatively few places to go for an exodus, T-Mobile and Straight Talk usually being the two carriers on the short list. It's time to add a third: Solavei is now carrying nano-SIMs for its T-Mobile-based virtual network. There's not much mystery to what's involved after that, since you're still getting the singular, all-unlimited $49 plan and no guarantee of 3G when even T-Mobile's own spectrum refarming is still young. If you can live with those potential caveats for the sake of network and contract independence, Solavei is waiting.
Linkase looks to improve iPhone wifi reception
You can relive the days of cell phone antennas thanks to this iPhone case from Absolute Technology. The Linkcase for the iPhone 5 has an electromagnetic waveguide (EMW) antenna that'll improve WiFi performance in your phone. The EMW element responsible for improving WiFi reception is embedded into the back of the case, and you can slide it up when you need a boost in your wireless signal. Linkase claims it can deliver a 50 percent improvement in reception by moving the antenna up and out of the way of your hands. The case is landing in the hands of reviewers, but it is not yet available for sale. It'll retail for US$49.95 and will be available in Coal Black, Ash Gray, Frost White, Chili Red and Antarctic Blue.
