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Ask Andru: Where is Apple’s innovation? It takes time
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Handhelds,
The day after Apple's latest earnings call, I got an email from a reader that asked if the days of Apple leading the world in consumer electronics innovation has come to an end, and if the playing field is leveling out:
Q: What's up with Apple? It seems the stock is down, profits are great, and products are stagnant, only seeing revisions rather than new product categories. Have they gotten too big to be as nimble as they used to be?
Coincidentally, I was browsing Facebook earlier, and I came across a post where a friend was very unimpressed by Apple's announcement of the 128 GB iPad:
Maybe it's the jet lag, but the latest 'New Thing' is a 128GB iPad?
This is it?
Where's Apple innovation?
I dunno, it seems that people expect way more from Apple than any other company. They update their iOS products on a yearly cycle, and they even updated the iPad mid-cycle last time (which people got upset about too, because it was too soon. Wait, what?)
Do people forget that the original iPod was released in 2001, and then the iPhone 6 years later, and then the iPad another three years after that? The iPad isn't even three years old yet, and people are saying Apple has lost something. Big, game-changing products like this take time.
Click to continue reading Ask Andru: Where is Apple’s innovation? It takes time
Gallery: Ask Andru: Where is Apple’s innovation? It takes time
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iPad 5 rear shell leaked, matches iPad mini style?
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,
This is the alleged iPad 5 back plate, and as you can see, it's similar in design to the iPad mini's rear shell. At the present moment, the leaked parts are not 100% substantiated as actual parts designed by Apple or made by their manufacturing partners, but nothing is ever confirmed until Apple takes the stage and makes an announcement. The report from 9to5Mac also claims that the thinness almost matches the iPad mini, an impressive feat. For many, it is somewhat obvious that Apple would follow the similar trend of the new iPhone 5 and iPad mini design for the 5th generation iPad, as they're Jonathan Ive creations; and as witnessed in the past, this is the time of year when leaked parts that end up being true start appearing.
Read More 
| 9to5Mac
Gallery: iPad 5 rear shell leaked, matches iPad mini style?
Apple releasing 128 GB iPad with Retina display on February 5
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Handhelds,
Apple has announced a new 128 GB storage capacity option for the current iPad with Retina display, set to go on sale February 5th. The higher capacity model will sell for $799 for the Wi-Fi model, or $929 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version. Now, the only question left is if Apple will do the same for other iOS devices, like the iPhone, iPod touch (which has had double the storage capacity of the iPhone in the past,) and iPad mini. Full press release after the jump.
Click to continue reading Apple releasing 128 GB iPad with Retina display on February 5
Read More | Apple
Gallery: Apple releasing 128 GB iPad with Retina display on February 5
After a longer than normal beta period, Apple has finally released iOS 6.1. You can download it now and update your device over the air, or by using iTunes, and can expect various bug fixes and improvements, including:
- LTE support for more carriers
- The ability to purchase movie tickets with Siri
- iTunes Match users can now download individual songs from iCloud
- New button to reset the Advertising Identifier
Let us know if you find any other hidden goodness in this release!
Gallery: iOS 6.1 is now available
Canopy Sensus Touch Case makes your iPhone touch-sensitive on back and sides
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, CES, CES 2013, Videos,
We got a look at the Canopy Sensus Touch Case at CES 2013, and walked away impressed. The Sensus Touch Case gives iPhone users 10-point touch input along the back and sides of the device, which means you can do things like play games by swiping along the back of the iPhone, leaving the display free and clear of your fingers. You can also do things like snap images by tapping the side of the phone, or zoom in and out of objects with a slide of your finger. Expect to see the case launch later this summer, priced somewhere between $59 and $99.
Read More | Canopy
Gallery: Canopy Sensus Touch Case makes your iPhone touch-sensitive on back and sides
MacBook Air available for 20% off at Best Buy right now
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Hot Deals, PC / Laptop,
Best Buy has a tremendous sale going on today and tomorrow, selling all 2012 MacBook Air models for $200 off. Yep, the latest MacBook Air from Apple can be had for a 20% discount. Pretty insane, and better than any deal you would have found on Black Friday. The sale goes for both the 11-inch models, as well as the 13-inch units as well. This is definitely not one to miss, especially when compared against the Surface Pro, which will cost about $1,020 with Touch Cover keyboard. Here are the links:
- 11-inch MacBook Air 64GB: $799 (regularly $999)
- 11-inch MacBook Air 128GB: $899 (regularly $1099)
- 13-inch MacBook Air 128GB: $999 (regularly $1199)
- 13-inch MacBook Air 256GB: $1299 (regularly $1499)
Gallery: MacBook Air available for 20% off at Best Buy right now
iPhone 5 vs BlackBerry Z10 comparison video
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Videos,
Check out this performance comparison between the iPhone 5 and the upcoming BlackBerry Z10 running BlackBerry 10 OS. The hardware is rocking a 4.2-inch 1280x768 display at 355 dpi. It also has HDMI and USB conectivity, as well as micro SIM and micro SD, with an 1800 mAh battery. In addition, some are suggesting that it includes two 2GB of RAM and 1.5 dual-core processor and 8MP camera. Check out the video after the break.
Click to continue reading iPhone 5 vs BlackBerry Z10 comparison video
Read More | Telekom Presse
Gallery: iPhone 5 vs BlackBerry Z10 comparison video
Amazon MP3 Store now optimized for iPhone & iPod touch
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Internet, Music,
Amazon has just launched a version of its MP3 catalog that is made ready to use for the iPhone or iPod Touch mobile Safari with use of the open standards of HTML5. This is a way for Amazon to avoid the App Store cut of 30% with selling music to iOS users. Customers can view purchases and stream the music via the Amazon Cloud Player app avaible in the App Store.
For the first time ever, iPhone and iPod touch users can discover and buy digital music from Amazon’s 22-million song catalog using the Safari browser. Customers also have access to favorite Amazon features like personalized recommendations, best-seller lists and Amazon customer ratings. Music purchases are automatically saved to customers' Cloud Player libraries and can be downloaded or played instantly from any iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android phone or tablet, Roku, Sonos home entertainment system, any web browser, giving customers the freedom to enjoy more music, from more devices than any other major cloud music service."
Since the launch of the Amazon Cloud Player app for iPhone and iPod touch, a top request from customers has been the ability to buy music from Amazon right from their devices. For the first time ever, iOS users have a way do that – now they can access Amazon’s huge catalog of music, features like personalized recommendations, deals like albums for $5, songs for $0.69, and they can buy their music once and use it everywhere. - Amazon
Read More | Amazon
Gallery: Amazon MP3 Store now optimized for iPhone & iPod touch
AT&T now allowing FaceTime over Cellular for iOS users on any tiered plan
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,
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AT&T has just announced it is making good on its promise to allow devices like the iPhone 4S, as long as it's on a tiered or data share plan, the ability to utilize Apple's FaceTime video calling service on its cellular network. The rollout is slated to take several months and will be applied automatically by AT&T for eligible customers. Still, those out there like myself who have a kung-fu grip on their unlimited plans are left out in the cold. AT&T did state in their blog recently that they would assess FaceTime impact for unlimited users on its network. So, hopefully, the AT&T network isn't as fragile as they are alluding to and can hold up enough so that their most loyal customers, like myself, won't be out of the loop for too long. Fingers crossed.
When FaceTime over Cellular launched in September 2012, we explained that we wanted to roll it out gradually to ensure the service had minimal impact on the mobile experience for all of our customers.
As a result of ongoing testing, we’re announcing AT&T will enable FaceTime over Cellular at no extra charge for customers with any tiered data plan using a compatible iOS device.
This means iPhone 4S customers with tiered plans will be able to make FaceTime calls over the AT&T cellular network. AT&T previously made FaceTime over Cellular available to customers with a Mobile Share plan and those with an LTE device on tiered plans.
Of course, FaceTime over Wi-Fi remains available for all customers who have a compatible iPhone or iPad.
We have already begun updating our systems and processes and expect to start rolling the update out to customers on an ongoing basis beginning in the next couple of weeks. Customers do not need to do anything—the update will be applied automatically over the next few months.
Only AT&T offers benefits like the ability to talk and surf at the same time, the fastest download speeds using AT&T 4G LTE, and a variety of flexible plan options to meet customers’ needs. - AT&T
Read More | AT&T
Gallery: AT&T now allowing FaceTime over Cellular for iOS users on any tiered plan
iPhone set to launch on T-Mobile in “three to four months”, maybe
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Rumors,
T-Mobile's John Legere revealed to Reuters that his network's iPhone launch will happen within the next "three to four months" rather than the next "six to nine." This estimated time frame, while not the most accurate, coincides well with T-Mobile's LTE rollout and network reframing.
"If the old industry structure chooses to ignore what we do," said Leger, "that's a potential."
Read More | Reuters
