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Apple unveils A7 chip, brings 64-bit processing to the iPhone 5s
Apple has just laid claim to a world first: 64-bit processing inside a real, ready-for-sale smartphone. The new A7 processor will power the iPhone 5s with a "desktop-class architecture" consisting of over 1 billion transistors. That's twice as many transistors as were squeezed into the A6 and, for the sake of context, it's not a million miles away from the 1.4 billion transistors found in a current Intel Ivy Bridge desktop-class PC chip. In other words, while ARM's own 64-bit mobile chip design, the Cortex-A57, is still being developed by chip- and phone-makers, Apple's in-house team has pipped them all to the post. Largely as a result of the extra transistors and 64-bit architecture, the A7 is claimed to be twice as fast as its predecessor, both in terms of CPU and graphics performance. Speaking of graphics, Apple also promises that its newly added support for the OpenGL ES 3.0 standard will enable "breakthroughs in performance" for visually intensive games such as Infinity Blade III. And it won't just be games that benefit -- iOS 7 will be 64-bit too, naturally, and Apple's own built-in apps will be "re-engineered" to exploit this next-gen processing capability. (The A7 and iPhone 5s will also be backwards compatible with existing 32-bit apps.) Finally, it's interesting note that the iPhone 5s has a secondary processor, the Apple M7, which is tailored for processing motion and other sensory inputs and is presumably designed for unburdening the main chip and allowing the iPhone 5s to work as a fitness tracker and accomplish other sensory-based tasks without excessive battery drain. Check out all the coverage at our iPhone 'Special Event' 2013 event hub!
Apple introduces the iPhone 5s, launching September 20th starting at $199
Ladies and gentleman, the moment you've all been waiting for. As expected, this afternoon's day-brightening news (or part of it, at least) arrived in Cupertino in the form of a brand-new handset. CEO Tim Cook took to the stage at Apple HQ to introduce the world to the iPhone 5s (lowercase "s," mind), the second of two handsets announced today. The new phone follows the number- / letter-naming scheme set in place way back in twenty 'o nine with the introduction of the 3GS and carried on with 2011's 4S. As with those handsets, the new device's name implies that this round is something of an iterative update to last year's iPhone 5. According to Phil Schiller, the handset is "the most forward-thinking phone we've ever created." As expected, it's set to arrive in three colors: black, silver and gold. The 5s is crafted in high-grade aluminum with chamfered edges. What the the "s" stand for? Well, inside, you'll find a 64-bit A7 processor that features twice the number of transistors as its predecessor, clocking in at more than 1 billion, according to Schiller -- the CPU and GPU, meanwhile, promise speeds twice as fast. There's OpenGL ES 3.0 on board, but the next-gen handset still promises, thankfully, to remain compatible with the 32-bit apps of yesteryear. The 5s also rocks the new M7, which monitors motion data in real-time, with help from the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass -- a feature that'll work nicely with fitness apps like the new Nike+ Move.
Apple's next-generation iPhone liveblog!
You've arrived! But we haven't. If you're here a little early, fret not -- we'll be back at 10AM PT to kick things off from Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California. The topic of conversation? iPhone, naturally. We're expecting an iPhone 5S and perhaps an iPhone 5C for those seeking something a little more vibrant. Of course, a gilded iPhone is also pretty vibrant. At any rate, be sure to bookmark this very page and return at the time listed below -- if the machines behind the scenes are working properly, it'll calculate based on your time zone. Huzzah! September 10, 2013 1:00:00 PM EDT
Alleged iPhone 5S render shows new home button / 'Touch ID sensor'
We're just a few hours away from Apple's big iPhone press conference, and Nowhereelse.fr has just posted this render (from a "very reliable" source) that claims to show the iPhone 5S. The most notable change shown is of course, the home button, seemingly minus the usual squarish target and called the "Touch ID sensor". That is expected, considering repeated rumors (check out our roundup) including an apparent confirmation tonight from the Wall Street Journal, that Apple's next flagship phone will include a fingerprint sensor. Whatever the truth is, it will be unveiled at 1PM ET, and we'll be there liveblogging every minute. Update: Yes, that's it! Check out all of the official info on the iPhone 5s and its Touch ID fingerprint authentication system right here.
Apple's iPhone event is tomorrow -- get your liveblog here!
Apple's making some huge changes to iOS this year, so what are the chances that the iPhone will undergo a similar transition? Based on what we've been hearing, the likelihood is pretty high; Tim Cook, Sir Jony Ive and the rest of the crew may show off not one but two new iPhone models for the very first time. We're expecting to see both a 5S and a colorful 5C, but we're still in the dark on when they'll arrive, how much they cost and where they'll be available. There's always potential for a top-secret product nobody was anticipating, too. Regardless of what interests you the most, bookmark this page and return tomorrow at the time listed below as we keep you updated on the play-by-play! September 10, 2013 1:00:00 PM EDT
WSJ: Apple near shipping iPhones to China Mobile (updated)
If you believe the rumors, Apple has been in discussions to bring the iPhone to China Mobile almost since day one. Those seemingly endless negotiations may have drawn to a close: the Wall Street Journal now claims that Apple is near shipping at least the iPhone 5C to the giant Asian carrier. There's no word on ship dates or what kind of deal (if any) is in place, although imminent shipments would suggest that there's some kind of official arrangement. Neither side has commented on the rumor; we wouldn't necessarily expect a mention of China Mobile at the iPhone launch event next week. When Apple is reportedly launching the iPhone on other holdout carriers this year, however, an expansion to the world's largest cellular provider only makes sense. Update: Bloomberg hears that Apple is "close to a deal" with China Mobile, but that there won't be an announcement at the September 10th event in Cupertino.
The iPhone 5S and 5C: rumor round-up
What exactly is happening with Apple's next iPhone? Will it be substantially cheaper? Come in gold? Or even sport a fingerprint scanner? And will it be enough to keep Apple on top, now that it's up against two software-hardware chimeras? The company's making plans for next week and we're likely to see not one, but two new iPhones revealed. Alongside a predictably retuned iPhone 5 (the 5S?), we might see the long-awaited appearance of a new, cheaper model, rumored to arrive under the 5C moniker. Tim Cook has yet to make his mark on the company product-wise -- regardless of Apple's continued financial health. Steve Jobs was apparently well-involved in the development of the iPhone 5, even if it launched on Cook's watch, so a freshly designed phone or two could finally be his launch: a chance to silence critics and show them where he's taking Apple.
Daily Update for September 5, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
New iPhones are coming to NTT DoCoMo, according to Nikkei
KDDI and Softbank already enjoy the fruits of Apple's labor. Now, according to a report from Nikkei, NTT DoCoMo could be joining the party later this month. When Cupertino takes the wraps off its latest iOS handset(s) on September 10th, its expected that DoCoMo will be added to the list of Japanese carriers selling the device. Rumors were circulating in late August that the two parties were in talks to bring the iPhone to Japan's largest mobile company, and now it appears to be a done deal. Unfortunately, there's not much detail beyond that. DoCoMo subscribers will just have to wait patiently for Apple to brighten their day.
Hard Candy has a sweet tooth for iPhone 5s and 5c
Yes, you read the headline correctly. Hard Candy Cases has beaten Apple to the punch by sending out a press release for cases for products that don't officially exist at this point. The company is jumping on the hopeful rumor bandwagon by pinging the tech press with word of these cases -- which (conveniently for the manufacturer) aren't available until October 2013. The new HarvestCraft Slider for the iPhone 5s and 5c rings up the cash register at US$39.95. These colorful cases can be arrayed in three different combinations per harvest color. For the 5c -- if it even actually exists -- I'm wondering about the logic of hiding a supposedly colorful phone in another colorful case. And what about the alleged "champagne" iPhone 5s? Are you really going to want to cover that gorgeous light gold finish with a case? In all fairness, it looks like many case manufacturers are jumping the gun. Just yesterday, we were given a link by an anonymous tipster who pointed out that Booq Bags had a page up touting the Complete Protection Kit for the iPhone 5C (note the capitalized "c"). The page is now down, but it showed a line of protective cases and screen protectors for the alleged colorful plastic iPhone. If an iPhone 5c or 5C or whatever the hell it's called is actually announced on Tuesday, you can use that bookmarked link to order a case for your new phone. More "jumping the gun" accessories for other unannounced products will be coming soon!
Telus document: iPhone 5 models could be discontinued September 28th
A leaked document from Telus seems to confirm recent rumblings that the iPhone 5 could be discontinued following Apple's colorful event on September 10th. The internal notice of discontinuation shows 32GB and 64GB versions of the phone disappearing on September 28th (one day after the expected 5S availability), with the 16GB model escaping the axe. That lines up with rumors that the iPhone 5 will be displaced by a new iPhone 5S model at the high end, and a widely rumored, multi-hued plastic version at the mid end. Prescient analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also thought the 16GB iPhone 5 would stay on to bolster the bottom of the lineup, much the way the 4S does right now. All of that seems to tie everything up in a nice bow, but still -- rumors and leaks, right?
Apple confirms September 10th iPhone event, and we'll be there live!
The next iPhone will be (presumably) unveiled on September 10th, as hinted at on the Apple-delivered invite that you see above. When the curtains pull back, it'll be nearly a year to the day since the iPhone 5 was ushered into reality, and it'll no doubt be a monumentally important day for the company. Particularly compared to the barrage of products Apple introduced in 2012 -- iPad mini, iPhone 5, the MacBook Pro with Retina display, enhanced MacBook Air / iMac / Mac mini lines, a redesigned iPod nano, a revised iPad / iPod touch / Apple TV, ad OS X Mountain Lion -- 2013 has been eerily quiet. Outside of a tweaked iPhone 5 for T-Mobile's network, a Haswell-infused MacBook Air and a tease of the next-generation Mac Pro, we've been left with little more than hopes for newly-inspired versions of iOS and OS X. That changes on the 10th of September, as at the very least, we're expecting a next-gen iPhone to hit the stage. We'll also be holding out hope for an oh-so-colorful lower-end iPhone 5C for emerging markets -- markets where Android and even Windows Phone are the platforms of choice for communities making the move into the smartphone era. We wouldn't put it past Apple to also revise its iPad line while it's at it, and naturally, iOS 7 should be just about primed for release to the masses. As you'd expect, we'll be on hand in Cupertino in order to liveblog every second of the action, and we'd invite you to cast your best guesses on what's to come in comments below.
GameStop wants to buy your iPhone 5S, even though it doesn't officially exist yet (Updated)
GameStop sure is on top of its game these days. Not only does the company -- which has made a name for itself as a reseller of used video games -- accept trade-ins on a litany of devices ranging from BlackBerry smartphones to Android tablets, but it will even offer a hefty sum for your nonexistent iPhone 5S. As you can see by the screenshot above, GameStop has added the not-yet-official, next-gen Apple smartphone to its list of accepted devices, complete with its own trade-in values. So how much is an unreleased phone worth these days (or, more accurately, how much will the iPhone 5S be worth once it's actually available to purchase)? Let's compare the iPhone 5S trade-in values with that of the iPhone 5: iPhone 5 ("Like New" condition): 16GB (AT&T) - $390 (store credit), $310 (cash) 32GB (AT&T) - $458, $364 64GB (AT&T) - $466, $370 iPhone 5S ("Like New" condition): 16GB (AT&T) - $480 (store credit), $382 (cash) 32GB (AT&T) - $530, $422 64GB (AT&T) - $580, $462 As of this writing, the GameStop trade-in website only has AT&T models listed for the iPhone 5S, whereas the iPhone 5 has carrier options that include T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint. Update: GameStop has now pulled the iPhone 5S listings from its trade-in page.
Goophone to launch $100 iPhone 5C clone, still KIRFing it
Goophone's shaping up to be an enduring passenger aboard the iPhone clone train. Hence, it comes as absolutely no surprise that it's conjuring up an iPhone 5C copy months after it released an iPhone 5S of its own. Despite popular belief that the 5C will be more affordable than the typical iPhone, the KIRFer has confirmed to us that it's making a copy known as the i5C. Goophone has yet to spill the details (and the above image is just a mockup), but leaked specs suggest it'll contain a 4-inch 960 x 540 screen, a 1.2GHz dual-core MTK6572 processor and an 8-megapixel rear / 2-megapixel front-facing camera. It reportedly supports quad-band GSM, has 3G connectivity and runs Android 4.2. It's claimed that the Goophone i5C will ring in at $100, but anyone who'd like to get their hands on the cloner's latest masterpiece will have to wait -- Goophone tells us it's waiting for the real one to make first arrival.
Poll: Which retro iMac color would you choose for your iPhone?
With the rumor mill buzz about a plastic-shell iPhone 5C and gold-toned iPhones more frenzied than Wall Street on an average day, there's no way that Apple would merely stick to mundane neon green, eye-searing pink and bling-bling gold for the next iPhone. Now's a good time to evoke happy memories of Apple past by purchasing your next iPhone in one of these retro-iMac colors! Which one would you choose? %Poll-84224%
Gold iPhone 5S poses with current model in leaked group shot (updated with more shots, dual-LED flash?)
Yes, new rumors about iPhone colors seem to come along every day now. But these images from Weekly Ascii in Japan show an intriguing look at the champagne version of the alleged iPhone 5S model allegedly coming September 10, next to black and white iPhone 5 models... allegedly, of course. If real, they match up with previous images, while also showing a bit more refinement in the design and quality. The new color would be far from the blingy gold we saw before, though, perhaps ruining the dreams of the Chanel-bag-and-small-dog crowd. Grab your salt shaker and check after the break for another shot, or hit the source to see them all. Update: Yet more photos have surfaced, this time over at App Advice. The site's got some close-up shots to share with the world, offering a better look at that gold option and, if you look close enough, evidence of that once-spotted dual-LED flash. A slightly expanded hole now resides next to the camera lens, likely making space for a pair of LEDs on the incoming iPhone refresh. Scrutinize for yourself right after the break.
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.
The gold iPhone is a done deal, says AllThingsD
Go on, reject the notion. Work yourself into a tizzy. Then, grab an Orange Crush and a bag chair, 'cause you're going to need some serious support to handle the realization. The gold iPhone is coming, and it'll be launched during Apple's upcoming event on September 10th. As AllThingsD reports, a new flagship iPhone will be unveiled with an "elegant gold tone," which is said to be more like champagne in actuality. If the rumors prove true, we should see a white face with a gilded rear... which will never be seen by anyone once you strap a case on it. Best of all? We're sensing a golden opportunity for Macklemore to score a product placement promotion in a future music video.
Daily Roundup: Laptop buyer's guide, Apple's gold-colored iPhone, Withings Pulse review, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
