iPhone 6
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Tim Cook calls iPhone 6 launch the biggest ever
As with every Apple event, Tim Cook opened with some numbers that reveal just how well Apple is doing. A few tidbits he revealed include that the iPhone 6 is the fastest selling iPhone ever, and the new smartphone shattered the record for first month orders. Cook emphasized that, taking the upcoming Chinese launch into account (with all three carriers there participating -- a first), the iPhone 6 has been the largest iPhone launch ever.
Waterfield Designs Spinn Case for iPhone 6 Plus: Review and giveaway
We're finally starting to see a number of iPhone 6/6 Plus-specific cases appearing on the market, and today we're going to review one from Waterfield Designs of San Francisco. The Spinn Case (US$59) is the latest in an all-leather sleeve for Apple's larger smartphones, but with a literal twist. Design If you like all-natural materials, you'll love the Spinn Case. It's made of full grain leather, stitched ruggedly around the perimeter, with a flap that goes over the top of the phone that's secured by a "pin and slit" closure. The bottom is left wide open, perfect for attaching your earpods or charging your phone. The Spinn feature is the big deal here: it's a patent-pending spool made of the same leather that you simply wrap your earpods around. Spinn's great for making sure that your cables don't get tangled up while you're not wearing them - much better than just stuffing them into a pocket! Waterfield Designs also offers this case with a belt clip ($10 extra) and you can get it for either naked iPhone 6/6 Plus models (no case) or those with a thin case installed. The leather comes in three finishes: Black, Grizzly, and Chocolate. Functionality Hey. It's a sleeve. Your phone goes into it, the top flap flops over the top and can be closed with that handy little closure, and the rest is history. If you drop your iPhone, it will probably survive, although this isn't one of those three-layer TPU/PTE/Silicone mashups. In our plastic, glass and aluminum world, I really appreciate the natural look and feel of something like the Spinn Case. It's going to wear with age and look even better after a few years. Conclusion About my only complaint about the rugged Spinn Case is the price, which seems to be somewhat higher than I'd expect for a few pieces of leather sewn together. If you're in the market for a protective sleeve for an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, perhaps with a belt clip and definitely with an innovative way to keep your earbuds from tangling, this is a solid bet. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway And now it's time to give away our review sample, which is made for a naked iPhone 6 Plus and has that lovely Grizzly (dark brown) finish -- but no belt loop. 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 14, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Waterfield Designs Spinn Case valued at $59. Click Here for complete Official Rules. If the form below is not visible, please click here to enter. Loading...
UK iPhone 6 ad features Chris O'Dowd and Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd)
Along with the release of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus came a charming pair of ads featuring Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon that showed some of the abilities of the two new phones. At least that's what happened in America. In the UK the ads are basically the same, just with one major and important difference -- their ads feature Chris O'Dowd and Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd. There are minor differences between the ads, but the most glaring example shows a major difference between our two cultures. In the UK ad Ayoade brags about eating a "massive" Arctic roll loaded with 540 calories, while in America Fallon consumes a 1200 calorie funnel cake. We suppose Americans would simply say "540 calories isn't that bad"... Currently the ads are only streaming at Apple's UK site, so head over there to see the different versions of "Duo" and "Health".
iPhone 6 siblings find their way to 36 additional territories in October
In its never-ending quest for world domination, Apple will be pushing the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to three dozen additional countries by the end of October. A press release from the company announced the rollout plans, going on to note that it will be the fastest iPhone rollout ever, reaching over 115 countries by the end of 2014. The current rollout schedule reads as follows: Friday, October 17: China, India and Monaco Thursday, October 23: Israel Friday, October 24: Czech Republic, French West Indies, Greenland, Malta, Poland, Reunion Island and South Africa Thursday, October 30: Bahrain and Kuwait Friday, October 31: Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Guam, Hungary, Iceland, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macau, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, South Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Thailand
Did you hear about Infowars asinine iPhone 6 "hairgate" conspiracy theory?
Stop the presses and load your rifles, we need to stop supporting Apple right this second. The masterminds over at The Alex Jones Channel have uncovered the darkest (possibly dumbest) conspiracy theory of all time. You may remember the supposed "iPhone 6 hairgate", click bait short hand for "sometimes hair gets caught on your phone." To the average Apple user it was a non-story. It wasn't a common problem, and the hubbub passed by quickly. That is, until the greatest minds of this generation got to thinking about it and decided that Apple is probably using the iPhone 6 to collect DNA from users by taking their hair. Presumably once Apple has unleashed its diabolical hair removal tool the iPhone 6 and 6+'s included DNA reader will scan your hair follicle and send the information to Apple. That DNA information will then be used to MURDER YOU, or TAKE YOUR GUNS, or SOMETHING SOMETHING TERRIFYING. In an effort to not seem completely batcrap insane the Infowars crew have qualified their reporting with a request that "you decide" if Apple is taking your DNA or not. After all if they ever stood by any of these reports by calling them fact they might actually be held accountable for spreading insanity in the name of page views. There are enough actual threats in the world that if you want to live your life in utter terror you can easily do so. You have the freedom to do that. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you and all that. But the freedom to live in fear doesn't change the fact that DNA readers don't work like this, never mind the fact that we're pretty sure there's no such DNA scanner in the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. Even the tinfoil hat lobby will be distancing themselves from this asinine "theory." Remember it's "up to you to decide" if you believe this, but we have evidence that believing this automatically makes you a lizard person. It's OK if we don't show you any proof. On the internet its okay to just say whatever you want. You can view their wonderfully stupid video below.
Big iPhone 6 launch leads to huge sales of accessories
Whenever Apple launches a new iPhone or iPad, financial and marketing analysis firms are always quick to point out just how many devices were sold in a short amount of time, and what the probable positive impact is to the company's bottom line. Well, new devices like the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus also make life great for other manufacturers, particularly those who make accessories. The NPD Group Weekly Tracking Service showed that for the two weeks following the release of the new iPhones, accessories accounted for a whopping US$249 million in sales. By comparison, last year's release of the iPhone 5s and 5c only accounted for $195 million in the two weeks following the launch. That was only a 17 percent jump over the two weeks preceding the introduction of last year's phones, compared with a 43 percent increase for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The fact that the two new phones have completely new form factors accounted for a jump of 78 percent in case revenue after the launch, while screen protector revenue leaped 120 percent. Other accessory categories, like Bluetooth speakers and power products, showed only modest gains as they can usually be used with regardless of the new phone form factor.
Retail analyst blames sales lull on iPhone 6
The launch of a new iPhone always has a ripple effect across the electronics industry, and while analysts pontificate about the iPhone 6 launch affecting sales of competing smartphones and even Apple's own tablets, retailers are claiming they've been hit with the iPhone effect as well. As Investor's Business Daily reports, analytics firm Retail Metrics noticed a significant dip in sales and lackluster traffic that it attributes to consumers choosing the new iPhone over a trip to the mall. It's worth noting that while a new iPhone has launched around this time each year for a while now, the iPhone 6 shattered previous records with over 10 million units sold in the first weekend. If smartphone sales do indeed impact big-name retail shops in any measurable way, the iPhone 6 launch would certainly have had a larger impact than most, and it appears that it might have.
DODOcase VegTan Slim and Durables Wallets for iPhone 6/6 Plus
Are you carrying the extra size of an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus? Then it might be a good idea to read this review, since the two products I'm reviewing here are designed to let you do away with carrying a wallet since they provide that functionality in addition to protecting your phone. What I'm looking at today are the DODOcase VegTan Slim Wallet for iPhone 6/6 Plus (US$49.95/$59.95) and the Durables Wallet for iPhone 6/6Plus ($49.95/$59.95). Specifications VegTan Slim Wallet Weight: 0.7 ounce (19.8 grams) for iPhone 6, 1.0 ounce (28.3 grams) for iPhone 6 Plus Material: American-made vegetable-tanned Logger's Leather from Pennsylvania, with exterior slash pocket for cards and cash Durables Wallet Weight: 1.7 ounce (48.2 grams) for iPhone 6, 6.4 ounce (181 grams) for iPhone 6 Plus Materials: Waxed canvas exterior, cotton twill interior liner, recycled felt for padding, mahogany leather accents, two pockets for cards and cash. Colors: Sage, midnight, navy Design DODOcase is known for its durable and beautiful book bound iPad cases, and has been stretching its flightless wings recently with some different leather goods and other designs that do everything from protect your iPhone to turn your iPhone into a virtual reality viewer. The VegTan Slim Wallet is a minimalist iPhone 6/6 Plus sleeve that's stitched together of thin vegetable tanned "Logger's Leather". Slide your iPhone or iPhone 6 into the sleeve, and it's protected from the outside world. On the outside of the sleeve is a "slash pocket", basically a nice little pocket into which you can stuff ID, credit cards, even some cash. The Durables Wallet uses a similar design, except that the materials are different. Rather than leather, DODOcase uses waxed canvas for the main sleeve, with two mahogany leather exterior pockets for the cards and cash. Plain? Somewhat. Durable? Definitely. Better looking with age? You can be sure of that - I have other accessories made of both the thin, pliable leather used in the Slim Wallet and the waxed canvas, and they get a nice, worn-in, comfy-shoe look to them after a while. Function Um, not much to say about function here, other than your iPhone will slide comfortably in and out of the sleeves and you'll be able to carry cards and cash at the same time. It just works™. Do understand, though, that these sleeves are not going to provide the same level of protection as some of the dual/triple layer polyurethane/silicone MIL-STD cases that we review. But if you treat your iPhone with the respect that it deserves, the Durables Wallet and VegTan Slim Wallet can help keep your iPhone looking new. Conclusion They're a bit pricy, but DODOcase's VegTan Slim Wallet and Durables Wallet will last for a long time - probably for much longer than you'll own your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. And if they keep you from needing to carry a traditional wallet, you can still wear your not-too-skinny jeans without having bulges in all of the pockets. That's a win anyway you look at it. Rating (for both products): 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway All of our favorite reviewed items get new homes here at TUAW, and that's the case with the two VegTan Slim Wallets (one for iPhone 6, the other for iPhone 6 Plus) and the iPhone 6 Durables Wallet we're giving 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 October 11, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Three winners will be selected in a random drawing. One will receive a DODOcase VegTan Slim Wallet for iPhone 6 valued at $49.95, one will receive a VegTan Slim Wallet for iPhone 6 Plus valued at $59.95, and one will receive a DODOcase Durables Wallet for iPhone 6 valued at $49.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. If the entry form is not visible below, click here to enter. Loading...
Morgan Stanley is totes in love with Apple Pay
With Apple Pay slated to launch this month, all eyes are on Apple to see if it can shake the curse of NFC payment systems and break through to mass adoption. We won't know if it succeeds for a while, but Morgan Stanley's Craig Hettenbach certainly seems upbeat about the possibility. In a release to investors -- which AppleInsider pored over -- Hettenbach makes some big predictions for Apple's future in the payment space. "By reducing fraud, improving data security, and increasing credit/debit volumes for issuers and networks, while protecting the value of the existing payments value chain, we believe Apple Pay has a high chance of success," Hettenbach boasts, adding that Apple appears to have solved all the major problems that have plagued past NFC payment efforts from the likes of Google and PayPal. Hettenbach also notes that wide adoption of Apple Pay will likely help boost the appeal and adoption of its competitors' payment platforms as well, which makes a lot of sense. Right now, NFC on the iPhone 6 and 6+ will remain locked down and out of reach for third-party developers who might want to use it, like Google, but if those bars are removed in the future, it could potentially cause even greater competition between the two tech giants.
Another TUAW iPhone 6 case giveaway extravaganza!
Help me, I'm drowning in iPhone 6 cases! We're still not seeing a lot of iPhone 6 Plus cases - I think the larger iPhone caught a lot of manufacturers off guard - but the iPhone 6 case market seems to be very healthy, thank you. So once again, we're going to show you what's available and then give you the opportunity to win one of these many cases. Here we go! Tech21 Classic Shell with Cover (US$39.99) Tech21's "Impactology" design features a sturdy Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) exterior with a shock absorbing material called D3O that lines the inside of the case. It also has a flip-over screen cover to add extra protection. The Classic Shell comes in black, blue, smokey, and pink. It offers protection all the way around your device and is reasonably priced, but the design is rather blasé. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Alto Collective Floating Tree Wood case (CDN$45.00) This is probably the nicest iPhone 6 case I've seen so far. Made of a high-impact rubberized bumper and a thin, beautiful wood case with a laser engraved figure on the back in a fading color gradient, this case weighs only 15 grams and adds only 1.08mm to the thickness of the iPhone 6. Hats off to the Alto brothers in Calgary for this amazingly cool design. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Pelican ProGear Voyager Case and Holster (US$50.00) Pelican ProGear builds some rugged cases, and the Voyager has three layers to protect your iPhone 6 - a shell of hard polycarbonate with thermoplastic rubber and polyurethante rubber layers inside. There's a holster with a swiveling belt clip that also works as a kickstand for viewing media, and it comes in a variety of colors. Unfortunately, some of the reviews say that the included screen protector shows bubbles when installed, which is not what we'd expect from Pelican ProGear. At ths time, the Pelican ProGear Voyager is only available through AT&T. Rating: 2-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Trident Perseus Gel Case (US$19.95) Trident Case has come up with an impressive lineup of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus cases, and we'll be looking at four of them today. The first up is the most minimal of the bunch, the Perseus Series. Made of a thin gel material, these cases provide a good grip, protection from repeated drops from up to four feet, and even provide a screen protector. They come in black, blue, pink, purple, gray, green, and clear colors. The price is definitely right, as well. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Trident Aegis Case ($34.95) So, you want a bit more protection, huh? Well, the Aegis case is the next step up for keeping your iPhone 6 safe. It's anti-skid, features pass-throughs for all of the controls and ports, has dust filters to keep the dust out of your device, has a lanyard loop (alas, no lanyard), and meets or exceeds MIL-STD-810F. The cases come in black, white, blue, gray, pink, red and green. It uses a two-part design, and also adds a self-installed screen protector. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Trident Cyclops Case ($39.95) The Cyclops case series is quite similar to the Aegis series, but the five buck price difference adds rain resistance - you can stand out in a rainstorm that's dumping 7.9 inches per hour of rain on you in 40 mph winds for an hour, and it should remain dry. That rain protection comes from a buit-in screen protector. The Cyclops comes in the same colors as the Aegis. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Trident Kraken AMS Series ($49.95) Release the Kraken AMS! AMS stands for Adaptive Modular System, and this is an amazingly tough case. It meets MIL-STD-810F for drop, vibration, dust, sand and rain, so it's going to stand up to whatever you can expose your iPhone to. There are optional accessories available, including a windshield mount, bike mount, tripod mount, clamp, universal clip, and a cord management system. The device comes with a removable belt-clip and holster, and also has a built-in media stand. While it's not totally waterproof, the rain resistance makes the Kraken AMS a helpful companion in the field. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible SwitchEasy 0.35 ($14.99) What's with the name of the SwitchEasy 0.35? That's how thick this case is - just 0.35mm, and it weighs only 4 grams. It offers that thin, light protection at a bargain price, and comes in red, blue, yellow, white and black. It's a surprisingly attractive case, and the translucent nature of the PP thermoplastic polymer even lets you see the Apple logo underneath... Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible SwitchEasy Odyssey ($19.99) Don't ask me why, but I really like the design of the Odyssey. It has six polycarbonate panels on the back to make it easy to grip and features a dual-material construction that keeps your iPhone 6 protected from drops. It only comes in gray/black and pink/red finishes. Once again, the price is absolutely right for this protective case. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Bumpies ($24.00) Our next case isn't really a case; it's a set of bumpers that go on the four corners of your iPhone 6. Bumpies are actually very protective considering that they just touch the corners of your phone. They use an advanced removable adhesive to stick to your iPhone 6, they stick out just far enough to prevent scratching of the surfaces, and you have clear, unfettered access to every port and button on the phone. You might think that since this isn't a case, it's not providing as much protection - you'd be wrong. The company uses what it calls ProDyn protection, using an exoskeleton-like shell with a soft membrane inside. The drop protection in many cases exceeds that of traditional cases. And to install the Bumpies precisely, the company even includes an alignment sleeve. These are the ultimate in lightweight protection that shows off the design of your iPhone 6. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Griffin Survivor Slim ($39.99) Griffin Technology designed a case that's going to take a 6-foot drop in stride but not weigh you down. The Survivor Slim meets or exceeds the MIL-STD-801G standards for drop protection, and with a non-slip exterior you're not likely to drop it anyway. It comes with a screen protection film that even works with Touch ID, and rubber covers protect your volume and power controls. It's available in black, gray, and turquoise, as well as a mineral blue translucent shade. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Griffin Survivor All-Terrain ($49.99) Take the Survivor Slim, add a bit of bulk, and add a holster clip to it, and you've got the Survivor All-Terrain. It looks a bit more like a rugged case than the Slim, and it features four layers of protection. There's a built-in screen protector in front of the foam-lined shatter-resistant polycarbonate frame that's covered in silicone. All ports are sealed, so you'll be able to feel comfortable about having your iPhone 6 out in dust, sand, and rain. It comes in five different color combos: black/black, black/blue, black/citron, olive/lime or pink/black. The Survivor All-Terrain may cost a bit more, but it's giving you some impressive protection. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible CM4 Q Card Case for iPhone 6 ($39.99) The Q Card Case from CM4 is the only wallet case we're looking at this week, and it's actually pretty impressive. The back of the case uses a leather-like fabric to hold up to 3 credit cards plus cash, and a quick access slot makes it easy to slide those cards out in a jiffy. The entire iPhone is protected in a full frame made of soft-touch rubber, and pass-through buttons keep your iPhone 6 buttons away from bumps. What's really amazing? The Q Card Case is incredibly thin, making it possible for you to do away with your wallet and just carry your iPhone. It's available in three finishes - Black Onyx, Champagne Gold, and Pacific Green (actually kind of a light turquoise) - and the case is a steal at $40. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway And with that, we've come to the end of another long roundup of iPhone 6 cases! If you've read the roundups before, you know that means that it is time for a 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 6, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Eighteen winners will be selected in a random drawing and will receive one of the cases listed in this post. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Can't see the form below? Click here to enter! Loading...
Chinese pre-orders of iPhone 6 handsets: Two million in six hours
After having to wait for the iPhone 6 launch due to a regulatory kerfuffle, Chinese citizens are apparently hyper-excited about the launch of the new handsets, pre-ordering over two million in just six hours. What's funny about this is that the phones weren't even supposed to be available for pre-order until Friday, October 10, with initial retail sales coming a week later on October 17. All three of the major Chinese cellular carriers -- China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom -- began taking orders today, piling up most of the pre-orders for the 64GB iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models. The price tag for those devices in China is around US$1,000. Apple had previously released a press statement about iPhone 6 availability on Tuesday, September 30, with CEO Tim Cook stating that "We are thrilled to bring iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to our customers in China on all three carriers at launch. With support for TD-LTE and FDD-LTE, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus customers will have access to high-speed mobile networks from China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom for an incredible experience." The launch numbers for the iPhone 6 handsets have been very impressive, so the company's upcoming earnings call on October 20 should be full of good news for investors.
Video shows iPhone 6 Plus Wi-Fi speed compared to iPhone 5s
As if we didn't already know that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are awesome, here comes proof from iClarified (via MacRumors) that the devices offer extremely fast Wi-Fi throughput compared to the iPhone 5s. How fast? The iPhone 6 Plus was able to rip through a download at 278.5 Mbps, while the iPhone 5s was limited to 101.1 Mbps. What's the difference? The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus come with the ability to connect to 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which can offer connection speeds of up to three times faster than the 802.11n Wi-Fi found in the iPhone 5s. To test the relative speeds, iClarified restored the devices to iOS 8.0 and connected them to a 2013 Apple AirPort Extreme. That version of Apple's Wi-Fi base station supports 802.11ac. While your ISP connection to the Internet is usually the limiting factor in just how fast you'll be able to surf your favorite sites, anyone using one of the new iPhones on an 802.11ac network should be able to see an improvement.
Dutch store's bent iPhone 6 display is an unfortunate, hilarious coincidence
Regardless of which side of the "bendgate" controversy you land on, we can all get a laugh out of the iPhone 6 display at this Dutch electronics store. The image, which was first to Reddit yesterday, shows the store's angled displays holding -- and bending -- the iPhone 6 poster. According to several comments in the original thread, the store's wall displays are all angled in the exact same way, and it has nothing to do with the actual controversy, but it just so happens that the iPhone 6 has been bent at almost the exact spot where the more vocal critics claim that the new smartphone has a structural flaw. Apple just can't catch a break, huh?
Those idiot kids who were bending iPhone 6s have (sorta) apologized
Yesterday a video of two teenagers going into an Apple Store and forcibly bending an iPhone 6 spread with lightning speed across the internet. Apparently the heat has gotten to the teens, as one of them has issued a profane and half hearted, though seemingly terrified, apology on YouTube. If you've never heard a smart, in-over-their-head teenager try to smooth talk their way out of a bad situation, this is one of the best examples you'll find online. No word yet on if the police have contacted them. Here's the description of the video as posted on YouTube. Okay i just made this to say that we are NOT damaging anymore iPhones because we know what we did is wrong! We are taking full responsibility for this of course. we know hoq stupid it was. and for those who are thinking we broke MULTIPLE iphones thats a LIE!!! It was the same iphone just from different angles. Do not be put off buying an iphone 6 or iphone 6 plus because the chances of it bending in your pocket is highly unlikely. We have not heard from apple as of yet but if we are charged we will be selling out stuff to pay for the iphone as we are only 15 years old. You can view the video below. Please be aware if features some foul language and can be considered not safe for work. Enjoy.
iPhone 6 models to go on sale in China on October 17
Apple early on Tuesday issued a press release announcing that both new iPhone 6 models will go on sale in China beginning on Friday, October 17. Pre-orders will naturally begin one week earlier on Friday, October 10. "We are thrilled to bring iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to our customers in China on all three carriers at launch," said Apple's CEO Tim Cook. "With support for TD-LTE and FDD-LTE, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus customers will have access to high-speed mobile networks from China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom for an incredible experience." Apple's press release comes hot on the heels of a Reuters report which relayed that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus just recently received the requisite regulatory licenses. Apple Inc's iPhone 6 can now be sold in China, after the firm received a license for the device to be used on China's wireless networks. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said on its website on Tuesday that it had approved the iPhone 6 after Apple addressed potential security risks that could allow personal data to leak. This is unquestionably good news for Apple's financial picture. While Apple clearly has no difficulty selling millions of iPhones across the globe, China still remains the company's largest and fastest growing market. Recall that Tim Cook, during an earnings conference call this past July, noted that year-over-year iPhone growth in China checked in at 26% compared to a 6% growth rate in Europe. Additionally, consider that Apple, without China on board, still managed to sell 10 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models during the 3-day launch weekend. By way of contrast, the 2013 iPhone 5s and 5c launch moved 9 million units during the same 3-day period, China included. It certainly stands to reason that this year's 10 million figure could have easily been much higher had the iPhone received regulatory approval in China earlier.
Gigaom's Kevin C. Tofel gushes over the iPhone 6
It's not surprising for those of us who write about nothing but Apple products to get excited over a new iPhone, but what about an online journalist who is equally at home in iOS and Android worlds, often buying both an iPhone and an Android phone each year? That was the case with Kevin C. Tofel from Gigaom, who says in a new review that "I like the iPhone 6 so much that I may not buy a new Android." So what does Tofel love about the new iPhone? A lot. The first thing he raves about is the redesign, which of course made the iPhone 6 a lot more like an iPod touch with its thin design and rounded corners. And like those of us who never buy Android phones, Tofel loves the larger screen, saying "my eyes have been crying for that extra screen space for a while now." He's used a Moto X with a 4.7-inch screen for over a year now, but says that "the iPhone 6 display is noticeably better in terms of brightness, contrast, and viewing angles." Tofel goes on for a bit about other details, like the upgraded camera and what's under the hood of the new phone, but the big deal in my opinion is his comment that "Some of the aspects of Android that I preferred over iOS are no longer an issue, as Apple changed a few things." Tofel is happy about iOS 8's extensions, widgets, and third-party keyboards. If you're still on the fence about upgrading even after reading TUAW's coverage of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, head on over to read Tofel's review. He may just nudge you off the fence and into an Apple Store.
Stupid kids try to bend iPhones at an Apple Store, post video proving how dumb they are
Have you ever heard the saying "The criminal mind always sets its own traps"? A pair of hilariously stupid kids decided to film themselves walking into an Apple Store for the sole purpose of breaking iPhones. After spending a good amount of time trying (and frequently failing) to get the devices to break, they manage to pull it off a few times before eventually realizing their own stupidity and fleeing from the store. The best part? They spend a good portion of the video speaking directly to the camera, referring to each other by name, and then attempting to defend their actions by blaming the rumors and -- of all things -- Apple itself for the vandalization. "We were in the Apple store bending and breaking their iPhone, which is like criminal damage I guess," one of the teens explains at the tail end of the video. "I don't even care to be honest, because it's Apple's fault." ...WHAT? Once the video was published online, and the implications of their actions were finally clear to them, they attempted to wash their hands of the incident by deleting the video, but we all know how well that works. The full video has been mirrored and copied on several other accounts and Apple, along with the authorities, should have no problem tracking the teens down. In fact, they should just check that Apple Store again, because they're probably dumb enough to go for round two. [via The Daily Dot]
Consumer Reports bend tests show the iPhone 6 Plus is stronger than the iPhone 6
In what is likely the end of #Bendgate, Consumers Reports on Friday published the results of its bend tests that compared the iPhone 6 Plus with the iPhone 6 and several competing phones. According to Consumer Reports, both the iPhone 6 Plus and the iPhone 6 land in the middle of the pack, with the larger 6 Plus slightly outperforming the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 Plus, the more robust of the new iPhones in our testing, started to deform when we reached 90 pounds of force, and came apart with 110 pounds of force. With those numbers, it slightly outperformed the HTC One (which is largely regarded as a sturdy, solid phone), as well as the smaller iPhone 6, yet underperformed some other smart phones. The consumer products testing company used a "three-point flexural test" that secures the phones on both ends and then applies a force at the center of the unit. The company then measured both the amount of force needed to deform the handset casing and the force require to separate the case. The results show that the iPhone 6 Plus withstood 90 pounds of force before it started to deform and 110 pounds before it separated, while the iPhone 6 handled a lower 70 pounds and 100 pounds, respectively. The results of these tests make it clear that the iPhone 6 Plus is engineered to be resistant to bending. Any reports of bent iPhone 6 Plus handsets are an anomaly and not the expected result of everyday usage. As Apple noted in a recent statement, only nine customers have complained of a bent phone since the two phones went on sale on September 19.
Barely Related: Hoaxes and True Detective cast lists
Happy weekending, folks! Welcome to Barely Related, a conversational Friday column that presents the non-gaming news stories that we, the Joystiq staff, have been talking about over the past week. And no, we're not stopping our focus on industry and gaming news. Think of this as your casual weekly recap of interesting (and mostly geeky) news, presented just in time to fill your brain with things to discuss at all of those weekend shindigs. Grab a fresh drink, lean back in your armchair, and get ready to talk nerdy with us.
Another big iPhone 6 case review roundup and giveaway
This is getting bad. So many iPhone 6 cases have come into my office lately that it's beginning to look like a case warehouse. Rather than treat you to a never-ending series of individual reviews, I thought it would be a better idea to just go through the pile of cases one by one, rate 'em, and then give them away. On the sad side, I've received a whopping ONE iPhone 6 Plus case since just before the devices shipped, so we don't have any of those to review. BoxWave Dual+ Holster Case (US$14.95) I can't say that I'm a real fan of holster cases, simply because they make people look like nerds (not that that's a bad thing...). In this case, you have a jet black polycarbonate holster with a weave pattern on it into which a rather nondescript black polycarbonate case slides. It also comes in white. The case has a little sliding stand on the back of it, or you can actually use the holster as a stand as well. This holster case is listed with a regular price of $29.95, but selling now for just $14.95. I give it points for being inexpensive (at least right now), for offering protection, and for having not one, but two stands. On the negative side, it's kinda ugly. Rating: 2-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible BoxWave Classic Book Case ($34.95) Now this is much better: a genuine leather wallet case in the classic book style made famous by DODOcase, Pad & Quill, and Twelve South. There are slots for an ID as well as a couple of credit cards, a "hidden" pocket for cash and the entire thing folds into a stand for watching your iPhone 6 in landscape orientation. The interior "holder" for the iPhone 6 is made of polycarbonate, which should give it some extra protection in case of a drop. Being made of leather, it looks good and will get a nice patina with age. The price is right, and it's definitely useful. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible BoxWave Almost Nothing Case ($9.95) When BoxWave named this case, I'm not sure if they had the price or the transparency of the plastic in mind. It's a simple crystal clear transparent shell for your iPhone 6. Nothing more to say about it than that. It's pretty minimal. The usual price is listed as $29.95, which I would not spend on this. $9.95? Heck yes. Rating: 2 stars out of 4 stars possible Hard Candy Candy Clip Case ($29.95) The Candy Clip Case is kind of a cross between one of those minimalistic bumper sets that you can get for most iPhones and a regular cheap polycarbonate case. I frankly don't like the design, which looks lopsided. There's an "integrated card stand slot", meaning that you can take a business or credit card and stick it into the slot to prop the iPhone 6 up. What, for $30 you can't include a flip-out stand? Oh, by the way, it comes in transparent red and blue, as well as clear. Rating: 1-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Urban Armor Gear Outland ($34.95) Ahhh, here we go, with the first case I've seen today that actually looks like it can protect your iPhone 6. The Outland meets MIL-STD 810G 516.6 for drop protection, has an HD screen protector to guard against screen scratches, and uses an armor shell around an impact-resistant soft core to keep your device totally safe. Buttons are covered by oversized tactile buttons, making it simple to touch 'em without looking. This case comes in orange with black and dark gray highlights; the same case is also available in a dark blue (Aero), clear (Maverick), or white (Navigator) finish. A very impressive looking case, and the price is right - but they're out of stock online right now. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible And that's it for this week. I'm sure we'll be seeing a new pile of cases soon, hopefully with a sprinkling of iPhone 6 Plus models thrown in for good measure. Now, it's time for the giveaway! Giveaway To enter our giveaway for an iPhone 6 case, just fill out the form below. 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 30 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Six winners will be selected in a random drawing and will receive one of the cases listed above (note, there are two of the Hard Candy Candy Clip Cases available) Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
