iphone4s
Latest
iOS 6.1.1 rolling out for the iPhone 4S
Well, iOS 6.1 is still pretty young, but 6.1.1 is already hitting the airwaves. At least for some iPhone 4S owners that is. We've been able to confirm availability of the upgrade on multiple 4S handsets, but have not seen it yet on an iPod touch or any other iPhone model. The notification screen does specifically call out the update as fixing issues relating to "cellular performance and reliability" on the iPhone 4S, so it's quite likely the update will be for that device only. While better signal reliability would be a welcome upgrade, the bug we've heard the most complaints about is the seriously diminished battery life under 6.1. Unfortunately the pseudo-changelog that appears alongside the update make no mention of improved longevity. Other tweaks rumored to be landing with this version, including better Maps support in Japan, will have to wait for a future release like 6.2.
Best Buy offering $50 off iPhones for a limited time
If you've been holding off upgrading to a new iPhone, your perseverance is about to pay off. Best Buy has just announced a significant discount on all iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S models through the start of the new year. The 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB versions of the iPhone 5 are selling for $149, $249 and $349, respectively, after a $50 discount. You're also able to snag a $49 16 GB iPhone 4S, with a 32 GB and 64 GB version of Apple's older handset for $149 and $199, respectively. Bear in mind that you'll have to sign up for a new two-year contract in order to qualify for the discount. Best Buy is honoring the offer through January 5, 2013, for in-store purchases and January 2, 2013, for online orders.
Algoriddim's vjay for iPhone puts video mixing in the palm of your hand
With the ridiculous number of photo manipulation apps available for the iPhone, it's sometimes easy to forget that Apple's smartphone can actually be a powerful video editing platform as well. Developer Algoriddim aims to prove this by bringing its popular iPad video mashup app, vjay, to the iPhone, along with all of the bells and whistles of its bigger brother. If you didn't catch our original vjay review for the tablet, let me give you a refresher: The app's marquee feature is the ability to mix multiple videos together into mashups. While the app records your work, you can use real-time transition effects to swap between whatever two clips you happen to be using. You can loop sections of video or music, manipulate colors and tweak the audio of your work on the fly. You can also set up multiple cue points to make sure your video matches exactly what you had in mind. The number of options vjay presents to you is somewhat staggering at first, and it actually takes a fair bit of time to get a handle on just what the app is capable of. You can use the included music videos and montage clips in your work, grab your own video clips from your camera roll or even snag licensed videos from the iTunes store right from within the app itself. In short, you have a ridiculous number of options and starting points with which to craft something great. With the comparatively small screens size of the iPhone, compared to tablet, the tools you have to work with do feel considerably more compact on the screen. Thankfully, the app is laid out in such a way that you'll always know what tools are at your disposal. In portait mode, the app will switch back and forth between each of the source video clips in the source window depending on which is being used the most. When you flip your iPhone on its side, the app displays both source clips in the background with your work up front. The best thing about vjay is that it's almost impossible to fail at creating something cool. As you fade one video out and the other dominates the screen, with the pixelated visual touch you previously added, and your favorite song playing over it all, you'll feel like you created a masterpiece. In reality, it's the app that's doing the hard work, but we won't tell anyone if you don't. Once your mashup is complete, you can share it via YouTube and Facebook, or even toss it up on the big screen using an output cable, or wirelessly through Apple TV. As you might imagine, vjay demands a lot from your device, and as such it is currently only supported on iPhone 4S and 5. The pint-sized version of the app is currently on sale on the App Store for US$4.99, but only for a limited time, so video junkies be warned!
Samsung Galaxy S III bests iPhone 4S in Q3 2012 smartphone sales
The battle for smartphone superiority continues, and Samsung won out in the last quarter as the Galaxy S III beat the iPhone 4S in terms of global sales. Strategy Analytics notes that Samsung sold 18 million units of the highly touted Galaxy S III, compared to "just" 16.2 million units of Apple's iPhone 4S. As you'll recall, though, the iPhone 5 hit shelves at the end of Q3 2012. That likely caused some cannibalization of iPhone 4S sales, as potential buyers may have delayed purchases until the release of the iPhone 5. Don't worry about Apple -- Strategy Analytics believes that the iPhone 5 will handily trounce the Galaxy S III in Q4 2012. As the firm notes, Apple has already sold 6 million of the smartphones with almost two months remaining in the last quarter of the year.
Samsung Galaxy S III dethrones iPhone 4S as smartphone sales champ for Q3 2012
The Galaxy S III has overtaken Apple's iPhone 4S for the first time ever to become the top selling smartphone for Q3 2012, according to Strategy Analytics. Samsung claimed the pole position by shipping 18 million copies of its flagship handset during the quarter, compared to Cupertino's 16.2 million iPhone 4S units. Of course, serendipity is also likely at play, as the iPhone 5 hit shelves towards the end of that period, likely cannibalizing 4S sales -- in fact, the market research firm thinks Apple's new top handset will likely trump Samsung in Q4. That means the Korean giant may have to step up its game, or it'll just be keeping the top spot warm for its arch-competitor. Check the PR after fold for more info.
iPhone takes flight on a model rocket to capture data using techBASIC
Back in the 1970s before the advent of personal computers, I was a model rocket geek. Using thin tubing, balsa wood, plastic, glue and toxic paints to build lightweight rockets that could soar thousands of feet into the air, I never thought that some day people would be able to actually launch small data-collection computers into the air. Now the folks at Byte Works -- the developers of techBASIC for iOS (US$14.99) -- have done just that, using an iPhone 4s and a custom-designed model rocket. This was more than just flying an iPhone on a rocket, though -- Mike and Patty Westerfield, the proprietors of Byte Works, used a TI Bluetooth Low Energy Sensor Tag (officially announced today) to capture acceleration and gyro information and send it to a techBASIC program running on the iPhone 4s. Immediately after flight, the information was available for viewing in the techBASIC app. Should you decide that launching your brand new iPhone 5 is in your future, Byte Works has a full writeup of the project here. The iPhone launcher (AKA ST-2) is now on its way to Norway to be exhibited by TI at a conference, but it sounds like the Westerfields have plenty of plans for ST-2 flights with higher powered engines in the future. Enjoy the launch video below!
Japan court rules Apple did not infringe two Samsung patents
In the latest scuffle between Apple and Samsung, a Tokyo court has ruled that the iPhone 4 and 4S do not infringe on two of Sammy's patents. According to The Asahi Shimbun, a decision on September 14th found Apple had not violated a patent related to app downloads, as Samsung's method is different. A dispute regarding flight / airplane mode also went in Cupertino's favor on October 11th, because the technology in question was regarded by the court as incremental. Only one case against Apple remains undecided in Japan -- for a patent on using "homescreen space" -- but, as usual, don't expect that to be the last chapter in the neverending story.
T8 Storm wallet case for iPhone 4/4S: Slim, light, and attractive
Although emails about iPhone 5 cases are starting to fill our inboxes, there are still a lot of people who will be purchasing an iPhone 4 or 4S in the near future. After all, the iPhone 4 is free with a qualified plan, and the iPhone 4S has dropped to US$99. That's why well-designed and beautifully made iPhone 4 cases still capture my attention, and the T8 Storm ($60) is probably the best example of an innovative case that I've reviewed in the past few months. Design The T8 Storm case is a perfect example of how a "wallet case" should be designed. Rather than being a bulky George Costanza wallet, the Storm features two thin slots into which you can pop an ID and a credit card or some cash. The slots access separate thin pockets that are lined with either red or light blue nylon material. %Gallery-168280% The case itself is made from black or tan vegetable-tanned Italian leather that is hand-dyed. The dyes used are environmentally friendly, and the company uses non-toxic water-based glues in manufacturing. The design is basically a leather shell that is open on the top, bottom and left side to allow unfettered access to ports and controls, and has the requisite opening for camera and flash. At the top of the case is a color-matched loop for attaching a lanyard. T8 offers a nylon lanyard called the Zephyr ($15) that comes in red or blue leather with a tan or black logo. The Zephyr has a metal clasp to fit the lanyard loop, and the entire assembly can be comfortably hung around your neck for hands-free carrying of your iPhone. Functionality For having your iPhone 4/4S at your fingertips at all times, the T8 Storm/Zephyr combo is perfect. While I was initially skeptical about having an iPhone dangling from my neck, I found it to be almost unnoticeable after a very short time, and the iPhone is always available for quick photos or taking phone calls. That being said, I wonder why the designers didn't decide to put the lanyard loop on the bottom of the case. When it's hanging around your neck, flipping the phone up to look at the screen presents the screen upside-down. It's then an awkward move to get the iPhone display into a position for easy reading. The card and cash slots on the back of the case are in a perfect position for easy access to your ID and money. One other concern about the lanyard idea is that of security. While an iPhone in a pocket or purse is essentially invisible to thieves, having the phone and credit cards dangling from a lanyard is an invitation to have the phone ripped off. Just a quick slash of the lanyard while holding the phone, and your iPhone and money are gone. Conclusion For anyone looking at a combination iPhone 4/4S case and wallet, be sure to take a look at the T8 Storm. It's definitely an attractively designed and nicely put-together case, and the Zephyr lanyard adds a new level of convenience to carrying an iPhone -- especially for those who don't always have pockets available. Pros Extremely lightweight Holds iPhone 4/4S securely Classy-looking leather construction Red and blue contrast highlights are very attractive Cons Lanyard loop should be on the bottom of the case for easy flip-up viewing of the iPhone display Lanyard could be an invitation for thieves Case is expensive compared to the many others on the market Who is it for? iPhone 4/4S owners who want a case/wallet combo that is relatively unique
Canopy's Sensus gaming case protects your iPhone 4 / 4S, adds plenty of new touch sensors (update)
There's no doubt that smartphone accessories can get expensive, so how about a case that doubles as a gamepad? Billed as "protection with a purpose," Canopy's Sensus case aims to do just that. While there are several peripherals that add keyboards and joysticks to smartphones, Sensus goes one step further by adding touch input to a device's entire outer surface. The case's sensors recognize an additional ten touch responses, including controls on the sides and back of a device similar to the rear touchpad on a PS Vita. The focus with Sensus is to provide its users with unique touch input combinations that avoid taking up precious screen real estate. Most likely due to its uniformed design, Sensus is currently only being offered for the iPhone 4 and 4S; the outfit is taking pre-orders at $39 a pop, with shipments expected to begin in the first quarter of 2013. If you'd like to get a better feel for what Sensus has to offer (we know, we know), check out its demo video by visiting the source link below. Update: The folks from Canopy let us know that the previously mentioned $39 price is for pre-orders only -- the Sensus will retail for $59, so get in early if you're looking to save some money.
iPhone 5, 4S are Apple's greenest phones yet
Apple says it makes the "the most environmentally responsible products in our industry," and an independent study has backed up this claim. iFixit and Healthystuff.org dissected 36 smartphones and analyzed their chemical composition using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The study graded the phones based on the presence of known hazardous chemicals like bromine, mercury and lead. Over the years, Apple has steadily improved its products moving from a "high concern" rating for the original iPhone to a "low concern" rating for the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5. The iPhone 3G and the iPhone 4 are both in the "moderate concern" level, with the iPhone 4 (2.95) falling just under the 2.81 score of the "low concern" Samsung Evergreen. With scores that place them in the number two and number five spot, the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5 are in good company. Joining the two Apple smartphones are four other devices from other companies, branded specifically as "green phones." [Via Ars Technica]
Visa lets iPhone-toting NatWest and RBS customers pay with NFC cases, join the future
Two can play at the UK-banks-with-NFC-payments game. RBS (and by extension, NatWest) is partnering with Visa Europe to roll out TouchPay, a mobile payment system based around an iCarte case for the iPhone 4 and 4S -- sorry, early iPhone 5 owners. In tandem with a native app, the service allows paying for goods at British shops by tapping the phone at a Visa-capable NFC terminal without needing the short-range wireless built-in. Any purchases under £20 ($32) can even skip the PIN code, if you're just in that much of a hurry to get a Pret À Manger sandwich. Only 1,000 of the 9,000 who pre-registered for TouchPay are getting into Visa's wallet-free initiative at this stage, although all NatWest and RBS customers with one of Apple's semi-recent smartphones can participate once a trial run is over. We're just wondering if and when Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone 8 owners get in on the action.
Apple files patent application for 'intelligent automated assistant,' sounds like Siri
Siri's managed to make it into several Apple devices now, so it doesn't shock us to spy the company's attempt to patent the polite (somewhat frosty) tones of its voice navigation system. A pretty deep patent application filed today describes an "intelligent Automated Assistant," with the claims describing an application that is guided through the user's speech -- and all wrapped in a "conversational interface." So far, so Siri. The filing elaborates on Apple's earlier filings, explaining how this digital assistant furthers the users' demands with additional requests for speech-based information -- hopefully resulting in that map location or a movie booking you were after. This "user intent" is then put to use, launching an additional app or performing the specified function, while non-speech input (presumably like the ability to correct your requests in text form) get a brief mention. We do get plenty of description on commands though, with some pretty thorough response tables and examples of "anchor text" -- something that the automated assistant tries to pluck from your ramblings in order to make sense of them. The full version resides at the source below, if you're looking for 51 verbose pages explaining Siri's inner workings.
Comparing the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 and iPhone 4S
The iPhone 5 isn't a week old but we're getting a lot of great photo analysis. In particular, Apple touted an upgraded camera, and folks are comparing it to the iPhone 4S and the Samsung Galaxy S3. As you might expect, the 5 has a better camera than the 4S, although iMore notes that the 4S shot photos that seemed warmer. Check out their side-by-side comparison shots covering a range of shooting conditions here. The Galaxy, however, is a big question. As a major competitor, Samsung needs to make sure its cameras are at least on par with Apple's. Unfortunately, as Creativebits discovered, they are not. Of course, the question is whether consumers will notice the difference and buy accordingly.
iPhone 5 camera gets tested in Iceland, panorama and low-light comparison with iPhone 4S included
Sure, we tested the iPhone 5's camera in the well-lit streets of New York City, but if you're wondering how Apple's latest functions when used primarily as a shooter, TREK has a pretty remarkable look. Photog Austin Mann and a few of his closest pals took a pair of iPhone 5s to Iceland following launch weekend in a bid to test the unit's durability, capability and image quality next to the 4S. After two days of geyser spray and admitted "drops in mud," the uncovered 5 seemed to be a-okay, and when it comes to output from the sensor, that's worthy of praise as well. The low-light capabilities of the 5 are perhaps the most impressive upgrade compared to the 4S, with much less noise seen in shots from the former. He also gushed over the panorama mode, which admittedly churned out some pretty seamless results of the Icelandic countryside. As for shutter speed? That too has been "significantly" improved over the 4S. He interestingly noted that Snapseed was acting a bit wonky with iOS 6, but one has to wonder how much smoothing will be done by the Nik team now that Google's calling the shots. Hit the source link below for the full rundown, comparisons included, and a video that shows how the iPhone 5 reacts after sunset.
Wahoo Fitness introduces RFLKT: an iPhone-powered bike computer that lets handsets stay in pockets
Sure, you can turn your smartphone into a bike computer, but if you'd rather not put your pricey piece of tech anywhere near harm's way, Wahoo Fitness' RFLKT Bike Computer offers an alternative. Instead of packing all the brains, the device sits atop a bicycle's handlebar and displays data it's fed via Bluetooth 4.0 from cycling apps running on an iPhone 4S or 5. At launch, the hardware will support the firm's own Cyclemeter application and Wahoo Fitness App which can monitor ride information ranging from location to speed, in addition to heart rate with an additional accoutrement. Aspiring Alberto Contadors can page through data and even sift through tunes on their playlist with the help of buttons on the device's side. Gently tipping the scales at 2 ounces, the RFLKT measures up at 2.4- x 1.6 x 0.5-inches and boasts a one-year battery life on a single coin cell. Wahoo's gadget is slated for a December launch, but there's still no word on pricing. For more specifics, take a gander at the full press release below.
iOS 6 becomes 15 percent of Apple mobile device traffic within 24 hours
There's been some trepidation among Apple device users over the upgrade to iOS 6 given that it takes away some components while adding others. You wouldn't guess it from the initial upgrade rate, however. Both ChartBoost and Chitika have determined that about 15 percent of iOS data traffic was already coming from Apple's latest release within its first 24 hours of availability -- not bad, considering that it took Android 4.0 roughly eight months to reach a similar ratio and iOS 5 about five days to hit 20 percent. ChartBoost adds that iPhone owners were the quickest to upgrade, which is only logical when the iPhone 4S gets the most new features. The contrast between Android and iOS was entirely expected, knowing Apple's limited hardware pool and reduced carrier oversight. We're more interested in the differences between iOS versions: they suggest that whatever advantages people see in iOS 6, as well as a widespread over-the-air update system, have been enough to spur on many early adopters.
How-to posted for jailbreaking iOS 6 on A4-powered iPhones, iPods
Once the gold master version of iOS 6 landed in the hands of developers, the iPhone Dev Team was quick to release an iOS 6-compatible version of its Redsn0w jailbreak tool. Now that iOS 6 is available to the public, select iPhone and iPod touch owners can download the tool and jailbreak their device. This latest version of Redsn0w includes support for iOS 6 devices with an A4 processor, which limits the jailbreak to the iPhone 4, the iPhone 3GS and the fourth generation iPod touch. You should also note that this is a tethered jailbreak, so you will have to connect your iOS device to your Mac every time you reboot your phone. If you don't mind the tethered part of the jailbreak, Redmond Pie has an excellent set of directions that'll step you through the process. iPhone 5, iPhone 4S or iPad 2/3 owners running iOS 6 will have to wait for the Dev Team to successfully jailbreak those devices and package the hack into a public-friendly format. There's no ETA on when the Dev Team will release the jailbreak for these newer devices, so owners will have to practice patience while the Dev Team works out all the details. [Via Engadget]
Safari exploit used to gain control of iPhone at Pwn2Own
A team of Dutch researchers used a WebKit vulnerability in Mobile Safari to gain access to a fully patched iPhone 4S during a recent mobile Pwn2Own challenge. The attack circumvented Apple's code-signing requirements and grabbed the entire address book, photo and video database and web browsing history. It could not download SMS or emails from the device because those databases were not accessible and also encrypted. Though it was executed against an iPhone 4S with iOS 5, the vulnerability is also present in iOS 6. The Dutch team, led by Joost Pol of Certified Secure and colleague Daan Keuper, tested the exploit in the gold master version of iOS 6. They also confirmed it worked on all previous versions of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Unless an update to iOS 6 happens before launch day, it will also be possible on an iPhone 5. From detection to completed code, the exploit took about three weeks to develop and refine. You can read more about the exploit and Dutch research team on ZDnet's website.
PSA: Passbook supported apps now listed in iOS 6 App Store
Now that iOS 6 has officially landed, Apple has pulled back the veil revealing the first wave of apps to support its new Passbook feature. The initial group of companies to jump on the bandwagon include: Ticketmaster, Live Nation, Lufthansa, MLB.com At Bat, Sephora to Go, Walgreens and Fandango Movies. While this list is a tad bit shorter than we hoped for, it's safe to say that more apps will follow in the not-so-distant future. Want to be the first to know when they arrive? Be sure to keep an eye on the Passbook section of the App Store for the latest updates.
iOS 6 review
More Info iOS 5 review Apple unveils iOS 6 at WWDC, launch apps with Siri, Facebook integration, Maps iOS 6 coming to iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod Touch on September 19th Starting tomorrow, iOS users will be prompted to update their devices to the newest iteration of Apple's mobile operating system. As difficult as it is to believe, we're already onto the sixth version of the OS, which continues to be updated with new features on a yearly basis. After pushing out so many upgrades critical to plugging a few major feature holes, the vast majority of its 200 advertised enhancements are strictly granular, as Apple continues to polish its popular OS. That doesn't mean, though, that this build is coming to the masses without any jarring UI changes: Apple has declared independence from Google by adopting its own Maps, added a few nice features to Mail and iCloud, thrown Facebook integration into the mix and introduced the Passbook for paperless tickets. The question is, how does it stack up against previous refreshes? Read on to find out.
