Apple discontinues the iPhone 3GS, moves iPhone 4 into free spot

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,

The iPhone 3GS is no more. With the announcement of the iPhone 5 came the information that the iPhone 4S would move down the line and sell for $99 with two-year contract, while the iPhone 4 takes the spot previously held by the 3GS, making it free with two-year contract. Don't count the 3GS out just yet though, as its final trick will occur on September 19, when iOS 6 is released with support for the discontinued smartphone.

The iPhone 5 bill of materials estimated to be $167.50

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,

Analysts from TechInsights are estimating that the bill of hardware materials and electronic components of the iPhone 5 is around $167.50. That's a $35.00 jump from the iPhone 4S from last year, and a significant leap of $55.50 from the iPhone 4. If true, the increase in build costs isn't reflected in the MSRP of the iPhone 4, as Apple has kept the same price points every year since 2010 (with the excepton of the 64GB model, which wasn't available until 2011.)

This goes to the credit of Apple's market leading logistics, which locks in deals for mass supply parts of raw material and components from manufactures purchased years in advance. 

Read More | UBM TechInsights

Conan O’Brien’s iPhone 5 exclusive preview

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Videos,

Apple was nice enough to give Conan an "exclusive sneak peak" of the iPhone 5. True story. Check it out after the break.

Click to continue reading Conan O’Brien’s iPhone 5 exclusive preview

iPhone 5 backordered less than an hour after pre-orders begin!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,

Well, that was fast. iPhone 5 pre-order began at 12:01am this morning, and by 12:56am, the latest Apple smartphone was backordered by a week. Buyers who are late to the game (and by late, we mean an hour late--1:00am Pacific, 4:00am Eastern,) will currently be receiving pre-ordered iPhone 5 units one week after availability, on September 28th. Of course, you can also opt to visit your local Apple, Sprint, AT&T, or Verizon Store on the 21st if you'd rather not wait a week.

Did you pre-order iPhone 5?

iPhone 5 pre-orders begin September 14 at 12:01am Pacific Time

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,

If you're hoping to get an iPhone 5 on launch day without having to wait in line, pre-ordering is your best bet, and pre-orders start tonight at midnight. Just make sure you've got yourself some coffee, or get in a nap, because it might be a long night. Based on previous years, its going to be an absolute frenzy, consisting of a lot of refreshing of web pages, crashing carrier sites, losing your spot as servers melt under the pressure, etc. If you're lucky, you'll get through and be done within just a few minutes. Just make sure you know exactly which iPhone you want--color, capacity, carrier, and plan--so that you aren't trying to make those decisions while time-outs are occurring.

You'll be able to place your order in the U.S. starting at 12:01 Pacific Time, 3:01 a.m. Eastern on Friday, Sept. 14. Good luck.

Nintendo Wii U launching November 18th in the US, $299 basic set, $349 deluxe set

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Hardware, Nintendo, Wii U,

Are you ready to usher in the arrive of the next-generation consoles? Nintendo is, and it has announced this morning that the Wii U will launch in the US on Sunday, November 18th. There will be two configurations of Wii U available: a $299 white base model that packs in 8GB of storage, and a $349 Deluxe black bundle that has 32GB of storage and the Nintendo Land game.

Both versions include the Wii U console, a WiiPad, sensor bar, AC adapters, and HDMI cable. If you opt for the Deluxe set, you'll also get a play stand, charging stand, and console stand.

The current Wii remotes and nunchuks are fully compatible with the Wii U console. Who's planning on picking one up at launch?

Apple shutting down Ping social network on September 30

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Software,

Remember when Apple launched Ping? It was supposed to be the quintissential social network for anyone who loved music. Except that Apple crippled Ping right out of the gate, and we learned that it wasn't really a social network at all - it was just another method the company wanted to take advantage of to get people to buy more music. It was annoying and resrictive. You could only talk about music that was available on iTunes...and nothing more. Recently, it was rumored that Apple would kill Ping, and now it has been confirmed. Ping closes its doors on September 30th. Anyone out there upset by the closure? Anyone?

Watch the entire iPhone 5 keynote announcement now (video!)

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Videos,

As is customary, Apple has published streaming video of the entire iPhone 5 event from this morning for all to enjoy. If you wanna see Tim Cook, Phil Schiller, Scott Forstall and gang debut the iPhone 5, new iPod touch, updated iPod nano, iTunes 11 and more, jump on over and check out the video of the media event, and don't forget to check out all of our coverage from the event!

Wrap-up: Apple announces iPhone 5, iPod touch, iPod nano, iTunes 11, and more!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple,

Today Apple introduced the world to the iPhone 5, alongside updated iPod touch and iPod nano hardware. That wasn't all, as we also got a look at Lightning, Apple's new dock connector standard, the new iTunes 11, and much more. We've been covering all the news of the day, and figured we'd provide links to everything right here for the sake of convenience. In case you missed anything from today's iPhone 5 event, here's the rundown:

• Apple introduces the iPhone 5 (video!)
• Apple announces the iPhone 5: 4-inch display, LTE, Lightning dock connector, A6 processor
• iPod touch picks up 4-inch display, better cameras, new colors, and Siri
• iPod nano (7th generation): Bluetooth, multi-touch, widescreen, Lightning connector, FM radio
• Apple iPhone 5 LTE partners: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and more
• Lightning: Apple’s new, smaller dock connector for iPhone 5 and iOS devices
• Live from Apple's iPhone 5 event!
• Apple redesigns iconic headphones, $29 EarPods is the result
• iOS 6 Golden Master now available to developers
• OS X Mountain Lion has been downloaded over 7 million times
• Watch the entire iPhone 5 keynote announcement now (video!)

iOS 6 Golden Master now available to developers

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

On the heels of today's iPhone 5 event, Apple has just seeded the iOS 6 Golden Master to developers, alongside Xcode 4.5 GM. Build 10A403 is the final version, and iOS 6 will be released on September 19 to the general public. The updated mobile OS will be compatible with the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 4th- and 5th- generations, iPad 2, and the new iPad.