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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.
iPhone 5's are 50% off with iPhone 4/4S trade-in at Best Buy this weekend
Starting today and running through September 2, US big-box store Best Buy is offering 50 percent off an iPhone 5 when you trade in your old iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S. In order to qualify for the trade-in program, which was first noticed by AppleInsider, customers' iPhone 4's and 4S's need to be able to be powered on and free from water damage. By trading in their old working iPhones, customers can choose the 16 GB or 32 GB model of the iPhone 5, but they also need to sign up for a two-year contract. The deal is also contingent upon the customer being eligible for an upgrade. The Best Buy trade-in starts on the day Apple's iPhone "Reuse and Recycle" in-store trade-in program is supposed to begin in select Apple stores. Trade-in programs have many benefits for retailers as it gets customers buying the latest models and also gives those retailers used iPhones, which can then be shipped overseas and sold for higher prices in emerging markets, while still being at a lower cost point than what that latest iPhone 5 would cost. The trade-in program also doesn't hurt to help move existing iPhone 5 stock ahead of what is likely the release of a new model in just a few weeks' time.
Mophie brightens up the Juice Pack Helium with a rainbow of colors
Any Mophie Juice Pack Helium for iPhone 5 users out there wish that you had been able to get one in a color other than metallic silver or black? Those two boring colors were all you could buy since February, when the Juice Pack Helium was first released, but now you can add some class and color to your iPhone 5 as well as some extra battery life. Mophie today announced the Juice Pack Helium Spectrum Collection (US$79.95) with five jewel-tone cases. The colors, which all look fabulous, include blue, green, pink, purple and (PRODUCT) RED. The internals remain the same, with a 1,500 mAh lithium-polymer battery providing up to six more hours of talk time to your iPhone 5.
tadaa 3D creates the illusion of depth in your iPhone pix
tadaa 3D doesn't create real 3D images, but it can bring some depth to your photos and the result will likely delight friends and family. The US$3.99 app is disarmingly simple to use. (The app is listed as free as of August 30. That may change.) You can snap a photo from within the app, or create a depth image from your photo library. You select a picture and then use your finger to mask out a foreground object or a person or persons in the photo. The image can be enlarged for more masking accuracy, and the app does provide some intelligent processing to try and figure out what you are trying to mask out using edge detection. When you are finished, you'll see a pseudo-3D image. The background blurs, and as you move your iPhone up and done or side to side, the foreground image moves in relation to the background. It's a nice effect -- not real 3D, but still pleasing to the eye. The image is shared via the usual social services, or sent via email or text message. A person viewing the image on an iPhone with motion sensors will get the full depth effect. If you send a photo to a user on another kind of phone or a computer, they will see an animated image similar to an animated GIF where the image toggles back and forth to give a depth effect. When viewing on a computer, you can also use a mouse to change the faux perspective. I tried tadaa on a few photos with foreground objects and some with people in the image. The app works as expected, and masking the foreground objects is pretty easy. To make it all work you need a free account with tadaa since the images are hosted on the developer's servers. Images you take are private, only viewable by yourself and those you share them with, unless you decide to be part of the tadaa social community. In that regard, tadaa 3D is similar to the social photography community created by Instagram. tadaa 3D is a well-crafted app that performs a unique function. The app requires iOS 6 or greater and is optimized for the iPhone 5.
Apple iPhone 'Reuse and Recycle' program starts this week in select stores
If competition is good for consumers, then the phone trade-in market is looking up. Best Buy, Walmart, Gazelle and your mobile provider all accept trade-ins on old iPhones, giving you money to upgrade to a new phone. Now Apple is launching its own trade-in program at select Apple Stores starting on August 30, with a larger expansion of the program coming in September. Regardless of whether you're a business or standard customer, if you want to purchase a new iPhone, your trade-in is welcome at Apple. 9to5mac.com published the following details about the program. Apple decides the value of your iPhone based on information entered into the standard EasyPay system. The system takes into account the quality of your phone -- button quality, damage, if the display is scratched, if you engraved "I love Slayer" on the back, etc. -- and then calculates your trade-in amount. Apple Store employees will help you back up your iPhone before turning it in, and will hand over your old SIM card (the iPhone 5 uses the new nano-SIM card format). iPhones of all generations are eligible for trade-in, though obviously you'll receive less money for an iPhone 3G than an iPhone 5. As of now, the program is only available in the United States. You may want to shop around a bit before heading to the Apple Store, though. As 9to5mac.com has noted Gazelle offers significantly more for a iPhone 5 16 GB than Apple's own store. The online trade-in destination has been working hard to get as much iPhone business as possible before the September 10 announcement of new Apple products.
Gazelle wants to lock in a price on your old iPhone before September 10 (Updated)
Whenever it's time to roll over a used iPhone, iPad or Mac, I usually head over to Gazelle. They're perhaps the largest "recycler" of used devices, and I've always found their cash offering on the last-generation devices to be pretty good. With Apple expected to announce new iPhones on September 10 with rumored availability on September 20, Gazelle is now offering a price-lock guarantee. Anyone who locks in a price on selling an old iPhone to Gazelle between today and September 10 can wait until October 15 to send the old phone in to Gazelle. That hopefully gives buyers of the new iPhones some time to get the new model(s) before they have to send the devices off to their temporary homes at Gazelle. If you change your mind or if the wait for the new iPhone goes beyond October 15? Well, if you don't send in your old phone, you won't get the cash. The chart at the top of this post shows why it's so important to commit to selling your old device before an Apple announcement actually occurs. With the iPhone 4S in 2012, the maximum resale price was available between 30 and 15 days before the announcement. Based on previous trends, Gazelle expects the same thing to happen with the iPhone 5 when new devices are announced. In case you're wondering, Gazelle is offering US$325 today for a 32 GB iPhone 5... not that I was looking or anything... Update: Reader Marcial wrote to TUAW asking "Why does Apple and Gazelle offer more for an iPhone 4S on AT&T? I thought the iPhone 4S was exactly the same phone for all the carriers." We reached out to Gazelle for clarification, and got this response: The value varies because of the technologies in the phone (i.e. CDMA for Verizon and Sprint vs. GSM on T-Mobile and AT&T). A Verizon or Sprint phone is only able to roam on other CDMA networks, which don't exist (or are much more rare) globally. Basically, GSM devices have a much bigger global market compared to CDMA devices, which makes them easier to sell.
Wahoo Fitness PROTKT: Bike mount and protective case in one
While I'm currently trying to do my best imitation of a slug, I used to be a very active bike rider. How active? Like 2,500 miles (4023 km) per year. This was back in the days before iPhones, and I used to mount a Garmin eTrex GPS on my handlebars as a bike computer and throw my cell phone into my bike bag. Wahoo Fitness has come up with a brilliant solution for mounting an iPhone 5 on your handlebars for fitness tracking, providing entertainment on the road, and protecting your device from falls and weather. The PROTKT mount for iPhone 5 (US$69.95) is a different solution than the previously-reviewed RFLKT ($129.99) that is a separate display unit that uses your iPhone to do all of the heavy computing. Let's take a look! Opening the PROTKT box, you're confronted with a bunch of components. The most obvious is the iPhone 5 case, which is built like a tank. If you're a professional bike racer, you're not going to like the PROTKT because it's not very aerodynamically designed. On the other hand, you probably shave your legs, arms and head, so maybe that lack of friction will make up for the boxiness of the PROTKT case. Like any good tank, the PROTKT case is sealed up tight and hard to get into. I actually had to check out the instructions online to figure out how to open the case, and even there it took a good tug to get the top to pop off (it's held down with some rubberized strips that run along the sides of the case for "grippiness"). Once that's done, the iPhone slide simply slides into the case, and the top is replaced. If you're used to a slim, unprotected, and lightweight iPhone 5, then you're not going to want to keep the PROTKT on your iPhone 5 when you're off of the bike. It's thick and heavy! With the PROTKT on it, the total weight of the iPhone 5 and case goes up to 7.6 ounces (215 grams) from the normal featherlight 3.95 ounces (112 grams). It also gains thickness by going from .30 inches (7.6 mm) to .787 inches (20 mm). But all that extra bulk is protection, and that's what you need if you're a dedicated cyclist who rides regardless of weather. Now how do you get the case onto your bike? That's where the other components come into play. There's an "x-mount" adapter that snaps into place on the back of the case that connects with a simple quarter-turn clockwise to the handlebar mount. If you need to remove the encased iPhone for any reason during your ride -- say, to take a picture of that bear that just wandered onto the road -- you just give it a quarter-turn counterclockwide to pop it off. The rest of the time, it's glued to your bike. The handlebar mount will also work as a stem mount if you want your handlebars free of clutter. It comes in two pieces -- a curved rubber piece to protect your bike from scratches and the hard polycarbonate mount -- and is held into place with wire ties. I personally like the idea of using regular wire ties to attach the mount, since they can be purchased in a lot of places in case you want to snip the existing ties and move the mount to another bike. So, now you have the PROTKT on your bike, you're in your shorts and jersey, your SPD-equipped bike shoes are on, and your water bottle is full. How do you track your cycling performance? With the free Wahoo Fitness app for cycling. The app also works when running or working out, and it can receive data from other Wahoo Fitness sensors. Want to track your heart rate during your ride? There's a Heart Rate Strap ($69.99) for that. Perhaps you want to track your speed and cadence? Use the Speed and Cadence Sensor ($59.99). Hell, the Apollo astronauts weren't this well instrumented! The app provides a way to share your collected data with a large number of other fitness apps and sites, including Runkeeper, MapMyFitness, Strava, Nike+, Training Peaks, 2Peak, Ride With GPS and others. For the serious -- or even occasional -- cyclist who wants to collect riding statistics and keep his or her iPhone 5 safe, there's really no other solution that comes close. Wahoo Fitness has created an amazing ecosystem of connected fitness products that work well with the iPhone, and PROTKT is another example of the company's commitment to its customers. Now we're going to make one cyclist very, very happy by giving away our review PROTKT. 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 August 27, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Wahoo Fitness PROTKT bicycle mount and case valued at $69.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
AT&T expanding LTE coverage to 50 more markets by year-end
AT&T plans to make even more iPhone 5, iPad and iPad mini owners happy by the end of 2013, with today's announcement that 4G LTE service will be rolled out to 50 additional markets in the US before New Year's Day. AT&T's 4G LTE network currently covers 370 markets with 225 million potential customers. By the end of the year, that coverage will expand to more than 400 markets and 270 million people. While we won't list all 50 markets here, the top 10 seen here are an indication of the type of locations that will be gaining speedy wireless internet service.
Big names -- McDonald's, Pepsi, Nissan, Proctor & Gamble -- sign on for iTunes Radio ads
With iTunes Radio set to hit the ground running once Apple releases iOS 7 to the masses sometime this fall, Apple has been busy signing up number of big-name advertisers to help bankroll the company's first foray into internet radio. According to AdAge, some of the advertisers already on board the iTunes Radio train include McDonald's, Pepsi, Proctor & Gamble, Nissan and others. The report relays that: The deals range from the high single-digit millions of dollars to tens of millions of dollars and include a 12-month advertising campaign to run within the streaming music service for each of the participating brands. In addition to basking in all the publicity that comes with a heavily-anticipated Apple product launch, the launch partners get exclusivity within their respective industries through the end of 2013. Come January 2014, however, ads on iTunes Radio will become widely available, provided an advertiser agrees to the minimum buy-in of around $1 million, according to sources briefed on the product. Advertisements on iTunes Radio will reportedly take on three forms; audio ads, video ads and interactive ads. As for how often advertisements will rear their ugly, but necessary heads, AdAge notes that audio ads will be played once every 15 minutes while video ads will be served about once every hour. While not available yet, the report states that advertisers will soon have the ability to target ads to specific iOS devices, a welcome option for advertisers looking to calibrate ads in an effort to maximize effectiveness and impact. For instance, it stands to reason that an iOS user with a newly minted iPhone 5S may have more expendable income than a user with an old iPhone 4, or the rumored lower-cost iPhone. Ads on iTunes Radio, however, will not be exclusive to mobile devices. Note that any device running iTunes Radio, including desktop devices and the Apple TV, will be subject to ads. Also of note is that some advertisers may be given the option to assemble, or perhaps "sponsor" is a more apt descriptor, their own playlists that will feature fewer advertisements than the five ads per hour described above. "These branded stations will not be labeled with a brand name," AdAge reports, "but will likely involve a short ad saying that brand was sponsoring a user's block of free listening." If you're interested in the nitty gritty of Apple's advertising efforts vis a vis iTunes Radio, the full post from AdAge is chock-full of interesting information and worth checking out in its entirety. While Apple's previous advertising efforts -- I'm looking at you iAds -- haven't exactly met Apple's expectations, the inherent interest in streaming internet radio suggests that Apple's foray into the music space will be worthwhile. After all, Pandora, though one of the more popular iOS apps, still has to be proactively downloaded by iOS users. iTunes Radio, on the other hand, will be integrated into the iOS Music app right out of the gate, giving it an extremely large built-in userbase right from the get-go. Lastly, consumers who sign up for iTunes Match will be able to experience iTunes Radio completely ad-free.
WSJ reaffirms rumor of two new iPhone models in September
As we steadily march into late August, the iPhone rumor mill is in full swing. Lending a bit of credence to a number of tenuous reports surrounding Apple's fall 2013 iPhone plans, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has asked Foxconn to begin shipping both high-end and low-end iPhone models in early September. Recall that a number of sources, including the well-connected Jim Dalrymple, have indicated that Apple will be holding a special iPhone media event come September 10. Of course, it's always important to keep in mind that nothing is ever official until invites from Apple are sent out, but if Dalrymple is on board, it's always wise to mark your calendar. As for Apple's plans regarding two iPhone models, the Journal relays that mass production on the iPhone models began in June, with the higher-end model "featuring a metal casing" and the lower-end model purportedly being comprised of lower-cost plastic materials. In doing so, Apple will be able to offer a low-cost iPhone model while keeping its margins relatively healthy. Analysts say a low-cost iPhone could help to boost Apple's sales, particularly in emerging countries such as China and India. The company appears to be moving to capitalize on that theory, as people familiar with the matter said component orders for the low-cost iPhone are much higher in the third calendar quarter than for the high-end iPhone. But they added that component orders for the high-end metal casing iPhone will go up in the fourth quarter. Previously, the WSJ relayed that Apple will offer a lower-cost iPhone in a number of colors, mimicking a strategy Apple previously used to great success with the iPod. As for the iPhone 5S, which, if history is any indication, will be what Apple will name its next-gen smartphone, there are a number of unsubstantiated rumors floating around detailing what hardware enhancements the device will include. Reports detailing a fingerprint-authorization sensor and a 12 megapixel camera seem to be the most prevalent and interesting at this point. What we do know with absolute certainty, however, is that the software that will power Apple's next-gen iPhone -- iOS 7 -- marks the biggest change to Apple's mobile OS since the iPhone was first introduced over six years ago. It will be interesting to see if the masses embrace Apple's upcoming software upgrade or if they'll be left pining for iOS 6.
Gazelle survey shows two-thirds of respondents considering an upgrade to a new iPhone
With the impending release of the new iPhone(s) just around the corner, iOS users are facing that yearly conundrum of whether to upgrade or keep the model they're already working with. This question is especially important to Gazelle, the internet tech buy-back company that offers hard cash in exchange for your used devices. So Gazelle ran a consumer survey to see what consumers thought about upgrading to the latest model or models, whatever they end up being called. The results of the survey are interesting. Of the 881 respondents Gazelle spoke with, 66 percent stated they don't think technology improves enough year to year to justify buying the new iPhone annually. However, 85 percent of respondents reported that they were likely or very likely to buy the new iPhone when it is released. Considering the incredible popularity the iPhone 4S still enjoys, this data isn't shocking. For many users, the jump to the iPhone 5 from the 4S simply wasn't enough to warrant the extra expense of upgrading. This fall's upcoming release is different, if only because of the looming debut of iOS 7 and its new features. If 66 percent of respondents think technology doesn't move fast enough to warrant a yearly upgrade, the wave of upgrades that are coming with iOS 7 is sure to be the outlier update they've been expecting. There are a few other factors Gazelle noticed during their survey. Almost half of the people they surveyed stated that when their iPhone breaks, the first thing they do is try and get it repaired. Couple that information with 64.8 percent of the users surveyed saying they got their last device through trading in an older model, and it paints a trend of users who hold onto their phone for as long as they can -- or at least until their two-year carrier upgrade window opens up. Another factor is pricing; 85.2 percent of respondents said they were likely to buy the long-rumored low-cost version of the iPhone if it becomes available. Apple is widely expected to make an announcement about new iPhones on September 10.
Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini: Adjustable, affordable, attractive
Design house Twelve South is dedicated to creating Apple accessories that you want to buy, and its latest product is no exception. The HiRise (US$34.99) is a charging desk stand created for two of Apple's mobile products -- the iPhone 5 and iPad mini -- and is different from most similar stands in that it is adjustable to fit a variety of iPhone cases. Design Like all Twelve South products, the HiRise comes to you in an attractive box with a sincere "Thank You." Some assembly is required, so instructions on setting up the HiRise are available in a small booklet, or you can choose to watch the process online. The HiRise is beautifully machined out of aluminum, featuring a flat stand that is sized to be stable under the load of an iPad mini, a short riser that contains one of three plastic clips (more on those later), and another taller riser that serves as a back rest for your device. The base has a rubber foundation to help keep it from moving; it also has the side benefit of toning down those loud buzzes when your iPhone is in vibrate mode and sitting on a hard surface. Functionality As mentioned earlier, the HiRise needs a wee bit of assembly. An Allen wrench is secreted under a plastic door on the bottom of the base; it's used to install a four screws later on. You need to provide your own Lightning cable as well, so if you want to keep your existing cable for mobile charges, head on out to your local Apple Store and purchase another one. Twelve South includes three custom plastic clips that are used to hold the Lightning connector at varying distances from the base. For situations where you aren't using a case with your iPhone 5 or iPad mini, you use the "0" clip. For a case with some extra depth -- the OtterBox Defender, for example -- the "5" clip is more appropriate. Thinner cases like the Griffin Reveal or Speck CandyShell use the intermediate "3" clip. I use a Mophie Juice Pack Helium and recharge my iPhone 5 with the bottom of the case removed, so I chose to install the "0" clip. Next, you install the rear support -- what I called the "back rest" -- and adjust it to match the thickness of the case. I wouldn't suggest using the HiRise with a case that's thicker than the Juice Pack Helium, as I had to move the rear support as far back as possible to accommodate the battery pack. Once everything is adjusted, the Lightning cable can be snugged into a channel on the bottom of the stand and the plastic door snapped back into place. And voila! You now have an attractive aluminum stand on which your iPhone 5 or iPad mini can stand in style while charging up. It's no secret that I really like Twelve South's products. It's also no secret that I usually think their products are overpriced. The HiRise is a refreshing exception to that rule -- it's well worth the $35 in terms of the quality of the materials, the custom fit, and the solid functionality. Conclusion For many people, just plopping their iPhone or iPad mini down on a desktop for charging is fine. But for those who would rather have an attractive stand that holds your device above the clutter, the Twelve South HiRise for iPhone 5/iPad mini is a solid performer. Pros Adjustable to fit a variety of iPhone 5 cases, also works with the iPad mini Well-written instructions for assembly backed by a short online video Price is right on target for a classy and well-built accessory Like many of Twelve South's products, it looks like something Apple would design Cons None to speak of Who is it for? Anyone who owns an iPhone 5 or iPad mini and is looking for a classy charging stand
gdgt's best deals for August 14: Samsung Galaxy S 4 and iPhone 5
Ready to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you've come to the right place. Our sister site gdgt tracks price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they've found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long. Today's hottest deals include a pair of prime smartphones for sale at Target, with the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and the soon-to-be-supplanted iPhone 5 available with hefty price cuts on contract. Join gdgt and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!
Robust iPhone sales bolster Foxconn bottom line
Apple's controversial, but improved, manufacturing partner Foxconn had a strong second quarter thanks to iPhone sales surpassing expectations for the period. Net profits were up 41 percent over the June quarter in 2012. According the Wall Street Journal, Apple accounts for 40 percent of the revenue for the company, also known as the Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. June's numbers were helped by Apple's own strong quarterly numbers, in which the company shipped a record 31.2 million iPhones. The WSJ report however paints a bleaker picture of the company's fortunes. Shares of Hon Hai have fallen about 12 percent since the beginning of 2013 in much the same way that Apple's share price has fluctuated. These fluctuations are due largely to how sales of Apple products often decrease as hardware gets older. Sales are brisk right after a product launch, but as time passes, more buyers consider holding out on buying a product until a new model is released. Apple has seen sales bumps throughout the year as the iPhone 5 has become available on new carriers for the first time. With the impending release of Apple's new fall line of products, including what is expected to be a new iPhone, Foxconn/Hon Hai profits should continue to grow for some time.
AcuRite's Pro Weather Center and AcuLink app keep an eye on local weather
The world of connected things keeps growing. The AcuRite Pro Weather Center with AcuLink Remote Monitoring and App (US$199.99) is an Internet-connected weather station that just so happens to have its own iPhone app for keeping an eye on your home weather conditions even when you're away. This review is aimed more at the app and connectivity features of this device, but you'll learn a bit about the actual weather station as well. Design I have to admit that this is about the most unique item I've ever written a review about for TUAW, but the Pro Weather Center is truly an Apple-compatible accessory. The device is actually made up of three major components: a 5-in-1 sensor that is mounted outside, an Internet bridge, and an LCD display that provides a constant readout of conditions and forecasts. The sensor features many of the things you'd associate with a weather station -- a cup anemometer, a rainfall sensor, a thermometer, a wind direction vane, and a hygrometer for measuring humidity. It's constructed of a solid polycarbonate and should last for years. The station is powered by four AA batteries augmented by a small photovoltaic panel during daylight hours. Inside the house and up to 300 feet away is the Internet bridge, a small Wi-Fi radio device operating on the 433 MHz spectrum that is plugged into your router. The bridge is set to one of three channels (A, B, or C) selected on the sensor as well, and literally requires no setup other than being plugged into power and Ethernet, and then pushing a "Register" button for three seconds. The final piece is really the icing on the cake if you're using the iPhone app for monitoring -- it is the "tabletop display console," an attractive battery-powered, Wi-Fi connected backlit LCD panel that displays all the various weather readings. Functionality The Pro Weather Center does require some setup work, as the sensor must be mounted in a location that's not blocked from free exposure to wind and rain. For about $20, I purchased galvanized metal pipe pieces that worked perfectly to form a sturdy mount placing the sensor about 7 feet above ground level. The sensor must be aligned so that it points due south, both for wind direction accuracy and to receive the maximum sunlight on the photovoltaic panel. %Gallery-195920% Once all the parts are in place, you can tell if the Pro Weather Center is working by checking the LCD panel. If readings for temperature, humidity, and wind direction and velocity are starting to show up, things are working fine. At this point, you can set up a free account on the AcuRite website for the AcuLink service, which is the heart of the iPhone app. I did have one issue with the Internet bridge device -- when it's working properly, the twin blue lights blink like mad constantly. I ended up covering them with electrical tape. If you're wondering if a $200 weather station can be accurate, the answer is "yes". I have some additional weather gear installed and was able to verify that the readings were almost identical in all cases. There are a number of ways you can read your weather data remotely. First, by logging into AcuLink.com and calling up your account, you see a dashboard displaying widgets for the various instruments on your station. Each widget contains a button for setting up an alarm, so if you wish to be notified via text or email message whenever measurable rain occurs or a temperature limit (high or low) is reached, that's quite easy to accomplish. The free AcuLink app displays the same information, but in an iPhone-friendly manner. To be honest with you, I was a bit confused about what to call the app. The company calls it Acu-Link in the App Store, but then calls it the "My Backyard Weather" app in the description. On the company's website, the service is called AcuLink. Sounds like there's a bit of a branding problem there... The app could use some work. First, it's not sized properly for the iPhone 5 screen, so there are big black gaps at the top and bottom when viewed in portrait mode. Next, the tabbed pages -- there are six, one each for temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, pressure and forecast -- require a physical tap on an oddly-placed refresh button that's on each page. It would make much more sense to either have the pages automatically refresh when opened or use the iPhone-standard "pull to refresh" gesture. Each one of the tabbed pages includes three separate buttons for current conditions, records (such as record cold or hot temperatures for your station), and settings. As with the website, When the iPhone is changed from portrait to landscape orientation, the app displays a "dashboard" that can contain up to five widgets. However, I never was exactly sure just how to add another widget to the dashboard -- that type of action needs to either be explained in a built-in help file or just made so obvious that any user can figure it out. One final note -- if you're a fan of Weather Underground and want to add your station to their growing network of personal weather stations, it's a snap to do so. Once everything's working with your site, you just need to create a personal weather station on Weather Underground, then put the station identification (mine is KCOHIGHL29) into the proper spot in the AcuLink website settings. Literally seconds later, your station appears on the Weather Underground maps with current temperature and wind direction marked, and your station's readings are captured for posterity -- and science. Conclusion AcuRite has developed a personal weather station that's not only affordable and easy to install, but incredibly well-connected with the world. The AcuLink iPhone app could definitely use some work, particularly in both bringing it into the world of the iPhone 5 and newer models, but also in terms of making the user interface more amenable to iOS users. Pros Low cost, accurate, and easy to install personal weather station Internet bridge device makes connecting the weather sensors to the world as simple as pushing one button and changing a few settings iPhone app is perfect for catching up on home weather conditions when you're away Cons iPhone app could use some work to update it for newer devices, make UI more iOS-like, and make it universal (iPhone and iPad) Who is it for? The weather buff who wants constant access to home weather conditions from anywhere there's an Internet connection and would like to keep automated, detailed records of the weather
Olloclip's Telephoto + Circular Polarizing Lens: Up close and personal
For iPhone photography, the Olloclip 3-in-1 lens kit (US$69.99) has no peer. The kit includes high quality wide-angle, fisheye, and macro lenses ... but no telephoto lens. That hole in the Olloclip line has now been filled with the addition of the new Telephoto + Circular Polarizing Lens ($99.99) kit. This lens and filter combo is available for order now, and was scheduled to ship in late July, 2013 -- that date, of course, has come and gone, and the Olloclip website is still showing that the telephoto can only be pre-ordered. Design The telephoto lens is a 2X lens, meaning that everything seen through it is magnified optically by two times. Like the other Olloclip lenses, the telephoto is made from optical glass and aluminum, much more durable and optically superior than plastic. The entire little kit comes in two microfiber bags, one containing the circular polarizing lens and the other containing the iPhone 5 adapter with the telephoto. The telephoto can be used by itself, or the circular polarizing lens can be slipped onto the front of the telephoto lens to reduce glare and provide richer color. %Gallery-195776% Like the 3-in-1 lens kit, the telephoto can be used with a "naked" iPhone 5 or in concert with the Quick-Flip Case ($49.99) that adds a tripod mount and cold shoe to the mix. Functionality Like the 3-in-1 kit, the telephoto is a piece of cake to install. You simply slip the adapter over the camera lens on your iPhone 5 and the lens lines up perfectly. You can use the telephoto with any iPhone camera app, or for extra capability in terms of focusing you can download the free Olloclip app. To give the Olloclip Telephoto and Circular Polarizing Lens a workout, I went for a walk in our local greenbelt, which is filled with marshy areas that are loaded with cattails and prairie wildflowers this time of year. To demonstrate the telephoto capability I took some shots with the regular iPhone 5 lens, then with the Telephoto Lens with the Circular Polarizing Lens attached and adjusted (rotated) for maximum effect. The results can be viewed in the gallery below -- note that in each case, I have placed the non-telephoto image first, followed by an image through the telephoto. The final pair of images shows how the polarizer can be used to minimize reflections on water. %Gallery-195775% The optics in both the telephoto and polarizer are pretty good. I liked the fact that there was no visible vignetting; some third-party lenses I've used have shown the telltale edge shadowing of vignetting, while the images with the Olloclip telephoto were bright and clear across the frame. Conclusion While not exactly inexpensive, the Olloclip telephoto and circular polarizing lens are a perfect accompaniment to the company's wide-angle offerings for avid iPhone photographers. Pros Excellent build quality No vignetting of magnified telephoto image Coated lens reduces reflections to a minimum Circular Polarizer works very well for increasing sky/cloud contrast, reducing water reflections Included microfiber carry bags can be used to clean lens surfaces Cons Somewhat expensive, although the product quality is top-notch Might not be usable with future versions of the iPhone Who is it for? The hard-core iPhone photographer who uses the phone as his or her sole camera
vividHDR brings some new features and ideas for iOS photographers
I'm always on the lookout for innovative photography apps and vividHDR certainly qualifies. It's a universal app that sells for US $1.99. Unlike many apps that take 2 exposures for HDR (High Dynamic Range imaging), vividHDR takes 3. It shows you a split screen of the normally exposed image, alongside the HDR tone-mapped photo. Unlike some apps that can give you 'overcooked' results, you can get natural looking photos from this app, with better shadow detail and more realistic colors. The app offers settings for Natural, Lively and Dramatic photos. Saturation and contrast increase with each step away from Natural. You can also select 'custom', and process the images any of the 3 ways before you save them. The app provides good exposure control, ghost removal and image alignment, which is important if you are hand holding your iPhone or iPad. The GUI takes some getting used to. I expected each finished image to show up in my camera roll, but the app maintains its own gallery which you access with a swipe to the right. Camera settings are a swipe to the left. It is all explained in the introductory screen, but it was still counter-intuitive until I got used to it. I took several images and was quite pleased with the results. You can see some in the gallery. The app helped in dark areas, improved the look of the skies, and the processing was quite speedy. On the minus side, the app failed my 'bright window-dark room' test. When processed, the image completely lost any outside detail so the window was badly blown out. Yet when I watched the screen, I could see that one exposure perfectly exposed that bright window. Something is going wrong in the processing. My reference HDR program, ProHDR handled the test perfectly. Examples are in the gallery. vividHDR is still an excellent approach to getting good HDR photos. It is far better than the built-in Apple HDR software, but it falls short in the toughest lighting conditions. If the developer can fix that issue, vividHDR will be among the very best HDR apps available. vividHDR requires iOS 6 or greater, and it is optimized for the iPhone 5. It also worked just fine on iOS 7 beta 5. %Gallery-195750%
Clean your iPhone 5's camera from the inside
The iPhone 5, though surprisingly light, is rather sturdily built. And in typical Apple style, the device is completely closed off. Nonetheless, the iPhone 5, over time, can begin accumulating dirt and other unwelcome particles underneath the glass. While this may not ordinarily be a problem, it becomes a huge nuisance when said particles begin affecting the quality of your photographs. Fortunately there are people who can fix such problems, or show you how to "do it yourself." To that end, the following video demonstrates how one can clean the iPhone 5 camera from the inside. Of course, taking apart your iPhone 5 requires specialized tools that may not be easy to find at your local hardware shop. On top of that, we wouldn't recommend that anyone undertake the procedure below without first understanding the risks -- namely that you may actually make things worse! But if you're an enterprising type of person who doesn't mind walking on the wild side, the following video is instructive.
Mod-3 RADIUS case for iPhone 5: The most minimal case you'll ever see
Fresh from the world of Kickstarter comes the most minimal iPhone 5 case you'll ever see. The Mod-3 RADIUS case (US$69.99) is designed to protect your investment from most drops, all while weighing just .155 ounces (4.4 grams). How does it look and work? Read on, and then have a chance to win an all-slate Mod-3 RADIUS case. Design The first time I saw the RADIUS case I didn't think it was a case. It consists of an X-shaped machined aluminum frame that connects to four aluminum corner pieces held on with small specially-made stainless steel hex screws. While it doesn't appear that the RADIUS case can protect anything, it's actually quite an ingenious design. The aluminum X is just thick enough that it will protect the iPhone 5's fragile glass if you happen to drop it flat on the back side. The corner pieces fit the iPhone 5's curves perfectly and are lined with a shock-absorbent material to protect from corner drops. One piece is designed differently from the rest, complete with a hole to surround the iPhone's camera and flash. What if you drop the iPhone face down onto a surface? No problem, as those precisely-engineered corner pieces also have just enough of a raised lip that they'll keep the display from smacking flat onto a floor or table. %Gallery-195431% It's incredibly thin and unbelievably lightweight; now let's see how it works. Functionality I'm not a big fan of machined aluminum cases, mainly because most of the time I end up losing those damned little screws. Apparently Mod-3's engineers read my mind, since they included an Allen wrench and four extra screws in the package. Using the Allen wrench, you remove the bottom corner pieces and carefully slide the X-frame onto the iPhone. The pieces unscrewed with just a few turns of the Allen wrench, at which point I placed the RADIUS onto the back of the iPhone and promptly dropped the two screws. I was able to find one of them; even searching with a strong magnet failed to find the other. Whoever wins the giveaway will get only three spare screws... Putting the two pieces back on was a piece of cake, unlike some other aluminum cases that I've had to wrestle with while reassembling. Once the case is installed, it was almost invisible. I have a black iPhone 5, and the case came in "slate" that blends in nicely. You can choose corner pieces in red or "polished" as well, and the X-piece also comes in the polished finish. The installation instructions suggest that you use something like Loctite to keep the screws from backing out on their own, and I think that's a valid suggestion. If one of the screws comes out while the iPhone is in your pocket, it's doubtful that you'll ever find it again. It's easy to see why the RADIUS case had almost 1,000 backers on Kickstarter. For people who want to protect their iPhone 5 but don't like traditional cases that hide the phone, the RADIUS is perfect. Conclusion The Mod-3 RADIUS is the iPhone 5 case for people who hate cases. The clever design and precision manufacturing make the RADIUS a winner. Pros Incredibly light and thin Provides protection of the iPhone 5 without hiding the design Easy to install and remove Comes in finishes to complement both white and black iPhones Cons Somewhat pricy for less than two-tenths of an ounce of aluminum; you could buy three ounces of silver for the price of this case! Who is it for? The person who wants iPhone protection without the weight and bulk of a traditional case Giveaway Now one of our readers is going to win a slate (black) RADIUS case, courtesy of Mod-3, BiteMyApple.co, and TUAW. 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 August 8, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Mod-3 RADIUS iPhone 5 case valued at $69.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Cheeky scam artist puts apples in iPhone boxes, sells them to unsuspecting woman
Buying pricey electronics from a private seller is never advised, but when a woman in Brisbane, Australia met with a seller at a local McDonalds to purchase a pair of "new" iPhones, she figured she was safe. As the Herald Sun reports, after buying what appeared to be two new iPhone boxes from the seller for a total of $1,500 AUD (approx. US$1,300), she returned home to find that the boxes contained actual apples in place of Apple smartphones. The scam began on a UK classifieds site called Gumtree where users can post free ads for items, as well as ads stating they are willing to buy specific goods. The victim in this case posted an ad saying she was looking to buy two iPhones. Of course, the thief's plan would have quickly unraveled if the buyer would have simply opened the boxes to verify their contents. I mean really, always check the box, people, or you're asking for trouble.
