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Latest Gear Live Videos
The ever-shrinking SIM card
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Editorial, Features,
What you see in the image above is the evolution of mobile phone SIM card design over the past four years. The largest in the image, known as the mini-SIM, was used for quite a while as the standard in GSM cell phones. However, as smartphones began to rise in popularity, drop is cost, and brought increased functionality, it was determined that the mini-SIM just wasn't mini enough. It took up too much of the precious real estate that mobile phone manufacturers needed for other things. Thing like a GPS radio, Wi-Fi, larger batteries, dock connectors, graphics chips, and more. And so began the start of the shrinking SIM card.
Click to continue reading The ever-shrinking SIM card
Gallery: The ever-shrinking SIM card
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Apple granted patent that can disable your iPhone 1984-style
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,
Apple is not shy about submitting patents on its creations, but this one is a little different. This particular filing attempts to patent the essence of 1984, and would give the Cupertino-based company the sole right to disable a user's iPhone camera app in restricted areas, such as at a concert venue or movie theater. However, it appears that the now-granted patent may disable far more than just your ability to take snapshots.
Click to continue reading Apple granted patent that can disable your iPhone 1984-style
Read More 
| Business Insider
Gallery: Apple granted patent that can disable your iPhone 1984-style
iPod touch (5th generation) teardown
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video,
When a major Apple product hits stores, you can count on iFixIt to take it apart, and that's just what it did with the new fifth-generation iPod touch. The new iPod touch features the same 4-inch display found in the iPhone 5, and began shipping to customers earlier this week. Here's what's inside:
Click to continue reading iPod touch (5th generation) teardown
Gallery: iPod touch (5th generation) teardown
iPad mini may not offer cellular option, relegated to Wi-Fi only?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors, Wireless / WiFi,
Apple's current worst-kept secret is the impending announcement and arrival of the iPad mini, a 7.85-inch version of the world's most popular tablet. What we don't know are all the details like price or specific features. The current rumor being circulated is that the iPad mini will be available in a Wi-Fi-only configuration, with no cellular option. We're on the fence on this one. On one hand, leaving out the LTE chip allows Apple to price these competitively without making the top-end model cost more than the entry-level new iPad. This keeps things more in line with the $199 price points of the Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7 tablets. However, having cellular in the iPad mini seems to be the killer setup. Just slide one into your suit jacket pocket and you have portable tablet connectivity on the go. We know plenty of people who would happily pay the additional $130 above the iPad price tag for the LTE option. I guess those folks can always tether, right?
What’s your prediction? Will the iPad mini be offered with a cellular option? Apple has reportedly ordered 10 million iPad mini units from its suppliers, so it looks like the company expects this one to be huge.
Read More | The Guardian
Gallery: iPad mini may not offer cellular option, relegated to Wi-Fi only?
Microsoft Office coming to iOS and Android in March 2013?
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Google, Microsoft, Rumors, Software,
Seems the rumor reported about a native port of Microsoft Office to iPad is alive and kicking. On the eve of 2012, The Daily reported that it was present for a demo of a working version of Office for iPad but the rumor was somewhat shot down by Microsoft PR with a non-denial, saying that the leaked photos were not a real Microsoft software product. However, Microsoft didn't go as far as to deny that the iOS Office suite ever existed. Almost a full year later, IHNED has reported that Peter Bobek, a Microsoft Product Manager, has spilled the beans during a press event in Czech Republic.
Allegedly, Mr. Bobek has affirmed that Office for iOS and Android will be released around March 2013. There's also some noise about Office Web Apps, but nobody seems to care about those. So, if you're an Office user, but your preferred mobile platform is iOS or Android, don't get your hopes up just yet. If the past is any indicator, this latest rumor might not become a reality. Until then, iWork and Google Docs are not a bad alternative. Now, if you're the daring type, you may want to jump platforms altogether and go with the Microsoft Surface tablets and Windows Phone 8 to get your Office fix.
Read More | IHNED via The Verge
Gallery: Microsoft Office coming to iOS and Android in March 2013?
AppleCare+ not active for many iPhone 5 pre-order purchasers
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,
It appears that something slipped under the cracks in the hoopla of the iPhone 5 release (see our iPhone 5 review.) As many people do when buying oftentimes unpredictable electronics, I bought additional warranty coverage: Apple's AppleCare+. In my case, it turned out to be AppleCare-, as I realized after purchase that my iPhone 5 didn't have the warranty attached to it, despite my bank account being charged.
A quick search on my support profile page indicated no AppleCare+ coverage, which prompted me to call Apple's 1-800-MY-APPLE for support. At first, an Apple rep informed me that no AppleCare+ was associated with my device. It was only after providing my order number that they acknowledged the situation. They then stated that they were swamped with pre-orders, and the warranty had not kicked in yet and was instructed to give it 3-5 business days.
Click to continue reading AppleCare+ not active for many iPhone 5 pre-order purchasers
Gallery: AppleCare+ not active for many iPhone 5 pre-order purchasers
iPod touch (5th generation) and iPod nano (7th generation) now shipping
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video,
Apple's fifth-generation iPod touch and seventh-generation iPod nano are arriving on doorsteps and Apple Store locations today. Originally announced alongside the iPhone 5 last month, the new touch and nano didn't see the near-immediate availability that the iPhone 5 enjoyed. The new iPod touch features the same, larger 4-inch display that you'd find on the iPhone 5, and is available in a multitude of colors. Same goes for the iPod nano on the color front, and it also picks up a more traditional tall-screen layout as well. The new iPod touch starts at $299, while the new iPod nano can be had for $149.
Gallery: iPod touch (5th generation) and iPod nano (7th generation) now shipping
Was your iPhone 5 damaged out of the box?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Design, Handhelds,
When we picked up our pair of iPhone 5 units on launch day, one black iPhone 5 and one white iPhone 5, the black unit was damaged right out of the box. It was subtle enough that I didn't notice it at first, and I definitely didn't make mention of it during our iPhone 5 unboxing episode. Luckily, Taylor caught it, showed it to Apple Store staff, and they replaced it with a new model immediately. Later that day, we got reports from other buyers who had a similar experience. So, our question today goes out to those who didn't purchase on launch day. Are people out there still getting black iPhone 5 models that have chipped or faded anodized aluminum?
Be sure to check out our iPhone 5 review!
Gallery: Was your iPhone 5 damaged out of the box?
iOS 6 and iPhone 5 users now have a popular Google Maps feature available to them again--Street View. Google Street View is available in the Google Maps web app in Mobile Safari, as well as in the Chrome app. Users can save the web app to their Home screen for quick access to Google Maps. Not as elegant as a native app, but definitely usable.
Gallery: Google Street View comes to iOS web app
Apple has released iPhoto 9.4.1, an update primarily focused on killing a few bugs and overall performance. Here's the rundown of changes:
- Improves the reliability of syncing to iOS devices via iTunes
- Fixes an issue that could cause iPhoto to quit unexpectedly when using the Export command
- Addresses an issue that could cause iPhoto to quit unexpectedly when upgrading multiple books, cards, and calendars
- Resolves an issue with downloading and viewing photos synced from Facebook albums
Fire up Software Update to grab the new version. You can get iPhoto on the Mac App Store.
