The iPhone Blog


iPhone 5 unboxing and hardware hands-on

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 03:31 PM PDT

No unboxed iPhone 5 exits. Or is it, if an iPhone 5 is released and no body unboxes, does it really make a dent in the universe? Whatever. New iPhone. Gadget porn. Deal with wit it.

If you want to see absolutely everything included in the new iPhone 5 box, including the old AC adapter, new Lightning cable, old SIM-card tool for the new nan-SIM tray, a short how-to guide and some interesting EarBuds -- and of course the sleek, sexy Vader-black, aluminum and glass iPhone 5 itself, hit the video above and enjoy!



iPhone 5 vs. Luxury Watch - Can Apple be used in the same breath as names like Panerai, Omega, Rolex and Bell & Ross?

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 02:52 PM PDT

With my iPhone 5's unboxed, iMore's Rene Ritchie asked me to whip up another video for a slightly unorthodox head to head comparison.

I may be the BlackBerry fan on the Mobile Nations team, but I've purchased every iPhone that Apple has released to date. Know thy competition, right? The iPhone 5 was no exception - I headed out to the mall and picked up a pair this morning. 

It seems since the iPhone 5 was unveiled, a lot of people have been comparing its design and build quality to jewellery rather than electronic gadgets. With extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, an understated and luxurious look and finely polished finishing details, I can see why the comparison would be made at first glance.

But what about at second glance? And third glance? Can you really compare compare the iPhone 5 to something like a Swiss-made mechanical watch? There's only one way to find out, and that's put them head to head! I'm no Arial Adams or John Biggs, but I do love watches. Heck, I even bought the domain watchreviews.com a couple years back (hmm.. watches are mobile... maybe that could be a new Mobile Nations site for 2013?!). So hit the video above for a not-so-serious head to head comparison. If I wanted to be real serious we'd have to rip the watches and iPhone apart, but that's not happening today. 

The verdict? The watches win for battery life and water resistance over the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 wins for ease of texting and app catalog. Display quality was a tough call. Both the watches and iPhone 5 make use of super tough and scratch resistant sapphire crystal. While the watches use it on the face, the iPhone 5 uses it on the camera lense. The watches are always on, which makes them very user friendly for getting the time at glance, but it's hard to argue with a retina display. For night time viewing we'll have to give the edge to the iPhone 5 - the luminescence on mechanical watches can really vary.

In all seriousness though, the iPhone 5 really is a well made piece of kit. The tools that built it will no doubt be similar to some of the equipment being used by the big watch houses these days to turn out precision timepieces. But that said, I wouldn't go around comparing the iPhone 5 to a Swiss watch just yet. A statement like that will surely tick off the watch snobs out there, who can bite back even harder than Apple fans. :)



The Verizon iPhone 5's SIM slot is unlocked, as it turns out

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Some preliminary tests are showing that users can pop an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM card into a Verizon-branded iPhone 5, and you can get HSPA+ service as normal (assuming, of course, the GSM SIM is active). This is great news for T-Mobile customers that worried about having to unlock the SIM slot on their shiny new iPhone 5, as well as frequent flyers that regularly swap out SIM cards for local service. You can always shave down your own nano SIM cards, though it's generally not recommended.

Hopefully this will last, since the Sprint iPhone 4S launched with an unlocked SIM slot, but shortly after, they started locking it down again (though later offered unlocking to customers in good standing). 

Anyone intend on swapping their SIM cards around a lot, or are you happy with your carrier? Did you end up signing a new contract when picking up your iPhone 5, or did you buy yours outright? If this is a limited-time deal, are you more tempted to get an iPhone 5 while the SIM slots are still unlocked?

Via: iDownloadBlog



iPhone 5 photo gallery

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 12:42 PM PDT

The first thing I did after receiving my iPhone 5 was give it a proper photo shoot.

Enjoy the iPr0n.



Sprint retailer only sells iPhone 5 if customer buys accessory bundle too

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 10:11 AM PDT

One anonymous Sprint retailer is apparently refusing to sell iPhone 5 devices to customers unless they also buy a bundle of accessories to go with it. The sure, the bundles they were offering were 20% off, but the cheapest ones started at $84. Sprint commented on the issue and said that it's not corporate policy to do this kind of thing, though indirect retailers can do whatever they want. The package this particular customer ended up getting included a Body Glove, Zagg Invisible Shield, and a y-charging car kit, all of which you can see above. 

That is some pushy, and outright rude up-selling. Don't get me wrong, we love accessories here at iMore, but holding a device purchase hostage for a few extra bucks will not only scare off customers, but also earn them quite a few negative reviews - assuming of course customers don't buckle under the pressure. 

How pushy have you seen mobile salespeople get? Have any of you picking up an iPhone 5 experienced anything like this?

Source: Consumer Reports



The iPhone 5 can really take a fall

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 09:40 AM PDT

No sooner had people got their hands on the iPhone 5 did they gleefully chuck it to the ground to see how well it could take a drop. Two impact tests are already showing that the iPhone 5 is a tough little cookie, thanks in no small part by the lack of a glass rear like that on the iPhone 4 and 4S. One test puts the iPhone 5 against Samsung Galaxy S 3, while the other shows the front face of the latest iOS device can handle scratches just as well as drops. It's worth noting that other reports suggest the rear backing is prone to wear and scratching, however. It looks like the only real way to shatter the front glass is by purposefully spiking the iPhone 5 on the ground, though I'm sure it depends entirely on what kind of ground your dealing with and the point of impact.  

Gaze ye upon the wanton destruction of finely-crafted gadgetry, and cringe. 

Have you ever seriously busted up your iPhone from a drop? How satisfied have you been with iPhone build quality up until now?

Source: iFixYouri, Android Authority, MacRumors



Hundreds of iPhone 5 units stolen in Japan and UK

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 08:42 AM PDT

The iPhone 5 is just barely available to the public and already two high-volume burglaries have cleared out the inventory in some stores. In the UK, an O2 store assistant from Ilford is suspected of stealing some 252 iPhone 5 units and an unspecified amount of cash from the store's safe at around 1:30 AM this morning.  Meanwhile in Japan, 191 iPhone 5 handsets were stolen in three separate incidents in KDDI au and Softbank stores between 2:30 AM and 4:24 AM local time. On the domestic front, thieves in Tennessee busted in to a Best Buy and stole over $100,000-worth of iPhone 5 and iPad units earlier this week. 

While I'm not too worried about the store owners that have this kind of inventory insured, it does mean that there will be more than a few disappointed customers that will either have to wait for restocking or go hunting around somewhere else for their iPhone 5.

The iPhone has always been a popular target for robbers, so those of you who have just picked up a new one, don't to be too flashy with it. Have you guys every had any direct contact with iPhone robbers? Ever in a carrier or Apple store? 

Source: The Independent, WSJ, News Channel 5



The best games to show off your new iPhone 5

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 07:33 AM PDT

While a lot of folks were worried that game developers would be gritting their teeth over having to adapt to the iPhone 5's new aspect ratio, many have already updated their apps and will have them ready the second you get your mitts on your shiny new iOS 6 device. We've farmed up some of the best ones right here.

Wild Blood

Wild Blood is Gameloft's first Unreal-powered title, and boy is it a beaut. This action-RPG puts you in the greaves of Sir Lancelot of Arthurian legend, and you're trying to hack your way through hordes of demons to rescue Guinevere.  Wild Blood will make sure you keep slinging arrows, swinging swords, and hurling fireballs no matter where you are, and thanks to the 4-inch display on the iPhone 5, you'll be able to easily defend against flankers. 

Lili

If you're looking for something a little less violent, Lili is a promising and unique adventure game that puts players in a whimsical world full of spirits and wobbly wooden robots. There's some twitch-based gameplay as you try to gather flowers off the backs of evasive spirits, and more RPG-style elements with a wide variety of NPC interaction and world exploration. The graphics are fantastic, and will look just as good on your iPad 3 as your shiny new iPhone 5. 

Jetpack Joyride

Jetpack Joyride is a classic endless runner that takes Barry Steakfries on a rampage through the top secret lab where he works (or, presumably, used to work). The simple one-button controls put the gas on Barry's jetpack, though along the way he'll find all sorts of different experimental vehicles to further his mayhem. Throughout gameplay, you'll pick up and earn coins, which can be spent on a wide variety of gadgets that significantly alter your gameplay. Thanks to the extra screen real estate on the iPhone 5, now you'll have just a little bit extra heads-up as those homing missles close in on you. If the iPhone 5 is your first iOS smartphone, be sure to pick this one up. 

Blood & Glory 2: Legend

Glu Mobile's free-to-play gladitorial combat game has been optimized for the iPhone 5. Though it might be a little derivative of Infinity Blade, the graphics are still fantastic, and there's plenty of customizability with a wide array of weapons, armor, and equipment.  The one-on-one combat is full of tactical precision, and if you're willing to toss in a few bucks through in-app purchases, you can speed up your advancement. 

Tiny Tower

Tiny Tower is an adorable 8-bit-style business management simulator, where you have to attract new residents to your tower, employ them, create businesses to meet local needs, and keep those stores stocked with whatever it is they offer. Over time, you collect profits from these businesses, and spend the money to tack on new floors to the top of your tower. There's premium currency available through in-app purchases if you want to speed things up, though you earn those TowerBux through regular gameplay. More casual gamers will definitely enjoy this one. 

SpellTower

If you're looking for something a little low-key, SpellTower is a hugely popular word game that is fully optimized for the iPhone 5. It's probably best described as crossword meets Tetris, with a sharp, minimalistic style. If you've ever played Bookworm, you'll probably be familiar with the idea of tracing through letter tiles in the right order to produce words and eliminate them from the board. There are a variety of game modes, including Bluetooth multiplayer, but no matter which mode you play, you'll have a slightly taller tower to chew through. 

Asphalt 7: Heat

 

Asphalt 7 has been updated and optimized for the new iPhone, and keeps its white-knuckled racing action and razor-sharp graphics. Players work their way through a wide variety of tournaments, or can opt for online competition for the odd one-off match. Now, Real Racing 3 was showcased during the iPhone 5 announcement, and it should be available soon, but in the meantime, Asphalt 7 will do a great job of handling your racing fix. 

Minecraft: Pocket Edition

Minecraft isn't so much a game as it is a blocky playground. Yeah, there are a few monsters that come out at night, but most of your time is spent gathering blocks of material in a wide open world, and combining them to create all sorts of stuff. You can play online with friends and share your creations, or go at it alone to create your masterpiece. The game is being updated all of the time, with plenty of new items, each with their own behaviors and creation recipies.  Minecraft is a huge cultural phenomenon, and if you're the creative type, you'll easily get sucked into this 8-bit-ish world. 

MetalStorm: Wingman

This free-to-play flight simulator by Z2 Live that has a ton of excellent dogfighting action. Players can work their way through the single-player campaign, gradually improving their plane and decking it out with all sorts of weapon systems, or they can go head-to-head in competitive online play. Those that are a bit friendlier may want to give the co-op mode a shot. 

Temple Run

 

Temple Run is the classic endless racer where players must race through an ancient ruin and evade angry spirits while making off with their prized artiefact. With lightning fast swipe gestures, you've got to make it as far as you can, rounding sharp turns, leaping across chasms, and sliding beneath traps. Every time you play, you earn coins which can be spent on various upgrades and power-ups that you encounter throughout your race. If this is your first iPhone, Temple Run should definitely be one of your first downloads. 

 

There are bound to be plenty more games that get optimized for the iPhone 5's new display. Which are your favorite that have been recently updated?

 



Deal of the Day: 52% off the Belkin Grip Candy for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 06:33 AM PDT

Deal of the DayToday Only: Buy the Belkin Grip Candy for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 and save $12.99!

The Belkin Grip Candy is a thin, durable, and stylish case that keeps your device's surface from scratches and scuffs without adding extra bulk. This two-tone case features cut-outs for all features including the screen for full functionality. This case is extremely easy to grip thanks to the flexible TPU material that the Belkin Grip Candy is made from.

List Price: $24.99     Today's Price: $12.00

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iPhone 5 launch live from Apple Store Montreal

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 04:41 AM PDT

I'm at the Fairview Apple Store in Montreal waiting in line for the iPhone 5. There's about 100 people here right now -- it's the suburbs! -- but Apple is serving coffee and Starbucks muffins. We're tired but we're wired!

I'll add video and pictures here as I get them! Line on!

iPhone 5 launch live from Apple Store Montreal



iPhone 5 launch live from the Regent Street Apple Store in London

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 04:03 AM PDT

We're live in London (and New York, and multiple locations in Canada) for today's iPhone 5 launch. Having a time zone advantage over other Apple fans, iPhone 5 buyers in the UK were able to get their hands on the coveted device from 8am BST this morning (3am EDT, 12am PDT), and the Mobile Nations team was on the ground at Apple's Regent Street store to witness the launch first-hand, as over 2,000 queued on the streets of London. Check out our video report above, and stay tuned for more launch coverage throughout the day!



iPhone 5 London launch gallery

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 03:49 AM PDT

iMore is live in London for today's iPhone 5 launch! At Apple's flagship store at Regent Street this morning, queues stretched around the building and into an adjacent park, as eager Apple fans queued for their chance to be one of the first in the country -- and indeed the world -- to own an iPhone 5. Hundreds if not thousands turned out on a cold September morning to experience the iPhone 5 launch day madness in London, with many at the front of the queue having spent up to a week waiting in line.

Check out our iPhone 5 launch day photo gallery below, and stay tuned for more video content from the UK, US and Canada throughout the day here on iMore!



iMore show 314: iOS 6 review + iPhone 5 buyers guide

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 01:12 AM PDT

Rene and Seth review iOS 6 maps, Siri extensions, Passbook, and Guided Access, and go over the iPhone 5 buyers guide, including color, capacity, carrier, and more. This is the iMore show!

Hosts

Credits

You can reach all of us on Twitter @iMore, or you can email us at podcast@imore.com or just leave us a comment below.

For all our podcasts -- audio and video -- including the iMore show, ZEN and TECH, Iterate, and more, see MobileNations.com/shows

Thanks to the iMore Accessory Store for sponsoring this week's show. Your one-stop-shop for everything iPhone and iPad, including cables, cases, chargers, Bluetooth and much more, check out store.imore.com.



How to track your iPhone 5 delivery if you’re in the UK

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 12:24 AM PDT

How to track your iPhone 5 delivery if you're in the UKIf you are in the UK and sitting at home or in the office impatiently waiting for your iPhone 5 delivery, this information could help to calm your nerves. If you use the tracking information provided by Apple on its website, you will more than likely see that your iPhone 5 shipment is being handled by a company called Syncreon Parcel Delivery. A quick visit to their track and trace service and the bad news is that your iPhone 5 is in Hinkley; do not despair, its probably not.

Syncreon Parcel Delivery is not a carrier but a distribution holding company and the delivery is actually being carried out by UK Mail or UPS locally. The good news is you can use your tracking information over at UK Mail and see exactly what's happening with your iPhone 5.

  1. The first thing to do is head over to Apple and get your tracking number from the tracking information displayed on your order. How to track your iPhone 5 delivery if you're in the UK
  2. Once you have the tracking number, instead of heading to Syncreon, go to UK Mail. How to track your iPhone 5 delivery if you're in the UK
  3. Enter your tracking number in the box on the right hand side labeled "By Reference Number"
  4. Hit Go
  5. Hopefully you should now see your delivery information, the site is getting hammered at the moment but be patient. How to track your iPhone 5 delivery if you're in the UK
  6. Click on the link and you will again hopefully see that your iPhone 5 is out or delivery or if you're lucky, already delivered.
  7. If it doesn't work for you, try the same thing over at UPS, Apple tends to use UK Mail or UPS.

Good luck and hopefully you will have found that your iPhone 5 is on its way. while you wait in your now more relaxed state, head on over to our Official iPhone 5 line-up tailgate party!! in the forums.



PSA: Don't leave negative reviews for non-widescreen apps -- developers are updating as fast as they can!

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 09:13 PM PDT

How long will it take iPhone 5 apps to become

At some point today, many of us will be tearing open our just-arrived Fedex or UPS packages, or rushing out of the Apple Store or other retailer, unboxing our brand new iPhones -- the iPhone 5 -- restoring them from iCloud, and launching our favorite App Store apps and games... only to see some with letter- and pillar-boxes.

Of course, a ton of really popular apps have already been updated and will be ready to go a launch. But other will take some time. So, before anyone jumps into comments or forums, or takes to Twitter, App.net, or Facebook -- or even thinks about leaving a bad App Store review -- to voice their frustrations over the lack of instant updates, there are a few realities to take into account, and some expectations that need to be properly set.

Why is this a thing?

With the iPhone 5 (and the iPod touch 5, shipping in October), Apple has changed the aspect ratio of the screen for the very first time. It's gone from the 2:3 that it's been since the original iPhone shipped in 2007 -- that persisted through the iPhone 4S in 2011 -- to 16:9. To do that, the iPhone 5 is adding 176 new pixels, taking the resolution from 960x640 to 1136x640. That means developers and designers need to figure out what to do with those extra pixels.

Can't it "just work"?

There's nothing automatic here for anyone here. No app will magically stretch to fill the new, longer iPhone 5 screen anymore than any app magically doubled in pixel density to look sharp on the iPhone 4 and iPad 3 Retina displays. The reason for that is simple -- Apple can't assume an app is built to support 16:9, so they'd rather letter- and pillar-box everything rather than risk having an app looking terrible or breaking if forced to fill a screen it was never designed to fill.

But that means it'll take some work to update apps. Depending on the app, maybe a little, and maybe a lot.

So how do apps become "widescreen ready"?

At a minimum, developers and designers will have to indicate their apps support 16:9, compile them against the iOS 6 SDK, include a special graphics file that tells iOS they're widescreen ready, and then submit them to Apple for (re-)approval.

For apps that use lists or grids, and/or implement a lot of standard controls and automatic layouts, flowing content into the longer (or wider) screen will likely be a lot easier than apps that use heavily customized interfaces.

For developers of apps and games alike who don't just want to show more of the same stuff, but take advantage of the extra screen space to provide different stuff the process will be even more involved.

Also keep in mind that developers will continue to have to support the 3:2 aspect ratio of the still-for-sale iPhone 4, iPod touch 4, and iPhone 4S. Interface elements can't simply be cropped off on older devices. Pixel-perfect designers and developers will want their interfaces pixel-perfect on every screen supported by iOS 6.

Add to that, very few developers and designers have actually been able to see, much less test on an actual iPhone 5 yet. Aside from the apps shown off by Apple at the iPhone 5 event, it's a safe bet next to no one has. A lot of developers and designers are smart and experienced enough to use the tools Apple has provided to prepare and update anyway, but no one likes to launch an app that they haven't been able to run, hold, and hammer away at on real hardware.

Lastly, given how many apps will no doubt be submitted to the App Store this week in anticipation of iOS 6 and the iPhone 5 launch, even if this work itself is quick, the approval process could well be a bottleneck.

Apple will want to showcase "widescreen ready" apps, the way they've showcased "Retina ready" apps previously, so they'll work as fast as they can, but there are limits to everything.

How do you know developers are actually working on it?

Gedeon Maheux of the Iconfactory

A number of iOS clients have already contacted us about updating their apps for the new, taller iPhone 5 screen. From the moment it was announced, the Iconfactory started including these new UI requirements into our workflow. I suspect it won't take long before we start to see many of your favorite apps updated and ready.

Davd Barnard of App Cubby:

Apple works incredibly hard to make sure that things work as expected for developers, and I'm hopeful that this will be an incredibly smooth transition. However, it's still a risk for developers to just blindly support a new screen size and architecture without being able to fully test on actual hardware. We can test in the iOS simulator, but the simulator is — as the name would suggest — just a simulation of what the app will be like on an actual device. Over the years I've found quite a few bugs on a device that can't be replicated in the simulator. Not to mention UI issues. The simulator just can't replicate the feel of swiping, tapping, and other key aspects of touch-screen apps. It's tough to know how an app is going to feel until it's under your fingers.

Bottom line, it's risky to support a device I haven't tested on. But, given Apple's track record of managing these transitions well, and the minimal amount of code we had to change, we decided the risk was worth taking. We've already submitted 3 App Cubby apps (Launch Center Pro, Timer, and Mirror) and will be working hard on Gas Cubby and Trip Cubby this week.

Marc Edwards of Bjango

We've completed the work required for Consume and iStat 2 to support the iPhone 5's taller display. We needed five images for Consume and one for iStat. All up, it was a few hours work each. Some apps will require more work, but this is far less painful than the non-Retina to Retina transition. The big caveat is that we haven't done any device testing yet, but that's the same as most developers.

So what can we expect when we get our Phone 5 ?

When you get your iPhone 5, and all your apps have downloaded, some of them will support 16:9, and some of them will do it well. If you see a letter- or pillar-box, however, before you complain -- and most especially before you leave a negative review -- take a moment. Take a moment to consider that the developers and designers love their apps and hate seeing them boxed even more than you do. Consider that they're probably working around the clock to get their updates done, working blindly do to it, and waiting patiently and powerlessly for Apple to approve them. They'll get them to you just as fast as they can.

Give developers or designers a few weeks or a month to get their basic updates done and approved by Apple, and then, if any apps look abandoned or look like they're going to go without an update, you can let 'em have it.



iFixIt commences their iPhone 5 teardown

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 08:57 PM PDT

iFIxIt commences their iPhone 5 teardown

iFixIt has already commenced their obligatory iPhone 5 teardown. Earlier today we got our first look at the internals of the iPhone 5 but iFixIt is bound to unearth any changes or secrets Apple's buried in their latest flagship device.

The crew over at iFixIt has sent their team down to Australia in order to get their hands on the iPhone 5 before the rest of the world. And as usual, they've already started tearing apart the iPhone 5. They're posting everything live as they delve into the device.

Departing from the iPhone 4 and 4S design, the most significant change is the switch from a rear-opening construction to a front-opening one. This will make screen repairs that much easier whether you plan on doing it yourself or taking it into Apple.

If you're interested in seeing what makes the iPhone 5 run, make sure you hit the link below to follow along with the tear down as they perform it.

Source: iFixIt



How to setup and start using your new iPhone 5

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 07:26 PM PDT

If you just got your new iPhone 5, tore it out of its box, turned it on, and... are wondering just what to do next, don't worry -- iMore's here to help. Thanks to the introduction of iCloud whether this is your first iPhone ever, or just the latest in a long line, it's easier than ever to set it up as a brand new iPhone or restore it from a backup of your old iPhone, and get going.

"Just works" is just the worst when it doesn't, so instead of wasting time, check out our help and how-to tutorials below, so you can start spending time with your iPhone 5 as fast as possible.

And hey, if you already know everything there is to know about the iPhone 5, just bookmark this page and share it with family and friends who don't. We'll do the heavy lifting so you don't have to!

iCloud: The ultimate guide

Siri: The ultimate guide

iMessage: The ultimate guide

iPhone photography: The ultimate guide

How to get more help with your iPhone 5

Have more questions or run into more problems with your iPhone 5? Here's where to get help:



iOS 6 will be good for Apple... eventually

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 06:39 PM PDT

Apple's iOS 6 is now out, and if you've read iMore's detailed iOS 6 review you've already seen people complaining about the new Maps app. Whether it be incorrect data or simply a slew of features that are missing compared to the old, Google-powered Maps app.

iMore has written plenty about how iOS 6 is more about Apple than new user features, which do include deeper Facebook integration, panoramic photos and shared photo streaming. But most industry pundits agree that the big changes Apple made signify a move away from Google and towards even more of a complete hardware, software and services ecosystem.

At least that's the idea. But the consumer outcry due to a bug-ridden maps app has people wondering if Apple has taken the idea of removing Google's hooks to such an extreme that it compromises the user experience. Has Apple lost one of its core values?

We've seen Apple make mistakes before. MobileMe was a disaster at first, and it eventually improved. Then we all witnessed the Antennagate fiasco, which was yet another bad news story that resulted in a temporary assault of negative headlines. Of course it all blew over, and none of it had any real, lasting effect on Apple.

How will this play out? A few customers are bound to be upset. But I don't think it will last. Before too long I expect Google will have an approved maps app in the App Store, and customers will get back the choice they want. Some people suggest that Apple will delay the approval of Google Maps. I don't see it happening. Apple knows this is a longer term battle, and they want to kill the negative press fast. If you're Apple, the answer is to give people choice, and then to improve your own product such that, in time, people don't bother installing your competitor's app anymore.

I think it's a smart strategy. Sure, Apple was a bit premature in launching its own mapping app. But I doubt we'll be talking about this little snafu in a couple of months - especially considering Google may have already submitted an iOS mapping app to the App Store. But if Apple can iron out the wrinkles, people will stick with the easier approach of using the built-in app. Then, after a few years, Apple will have significant control over local search data.

Google makes pretty much all their profits from Adwords today. And those profits come primarily from desktop and laptop use - not mobile. Yet most industry observers agree that mobile advertising is eventually going to eclipse ad revenue from desktop users. It will be more location-aware and intelligent.

It is in Apple's best interests (and those of shareholders) for Apple to control as much user data as possible in order to monetize it through advertising. From that perspective, Google is a dangerous competitor with far more experience. As an Adwords advertiser, I can attest to the quality, depth and sophistication of Google's advertising system.

Google already has complete control over the ability to advertise within Android, so why should Apple help them out (and sacrifice their own potential profitability) by continuing to hand them such important data, coming from iOS users? The answer is obvious. They shouldn't.

I'm both an Apple and a Google shareholder. I'm not worried that desktop use of Google's advertising platform will go away anytime soon. But what if it's not Google who figures out how to truly monetize mobile? What if it ends up being Apple, Amazon, or Facebook? Then Google revenue flattens out or perhaps even shrinks, as more advertising dollars move to mobile.

The stakes are high in this game. Apple may have been early, risking some consumer upset. But they're doing what is inevitably best for profitability in a highly competitive market.



iMessage: The ultimate guide

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 05:55 PM PDT

iMessage: The ultimate guide

Everything you need to know about setting up, securing, sending, and receiving iMessages on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

iMessage is Apple's proprietary service that allows you to send and receive free, SMS- and MMS-like messages on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac from any other iMessage user. Not only can you send regular text, photo, and video messages with iMessage, but contacts, voice memos, and locations as well. iMessage works on any device running iOS 5 or higher, and any Mac running OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or higher. Whether you need help setting up or using any or all of the features, you've come to the right place!

Also note, we'll be updating this guide regularly as Apple introduces more iMessage features, so make sure you bookmark this page and check back frequently!

How to set up, configure, and secure iMessage

How to set up iMessage for your new iPhone

iMessage is super easy to start using right out of the box but you'll need to configure a few things first. Whether you're on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac you'll only have a few steps to complete before you'll be sending all kinds of content via iMessage. The process may be slightly different depending on what device you're setting up so make sure to check out our guides on getting it configured.

How to send texts using iMessage

How to send texts using iMessage

iMessage integrates into the default Messages app so there's nothing special you need to do to send an iMessage as opposed to a text. As long as the person you're sending a text message to is also using an iMessage enabled device (aka iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac), it will just work. If they don't have iMessage enabled, any messages sent from iPhone will go through as a standard text message (carrier rates will apply to the sender and receiver).

How to send photos using iMessage

How to send a photo using iMessage

More often than not, your iPhone is always on you which means you probably use it to capture a lot of moments. You'll most likely want to share them with friends and family. iMessage makes it super simple to do so and you can use it on any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. If the other person isn't using iMessage, they'll just receive a standard SMS (messaging rates will apply). Whether you want to share pictures from your iPhone or from iPhoto on your Mac, we can help you start sharing your images in no time.

How to send videos using iMessage

How to send a video message with iMessage from your iPhone or iPad

iMessage works with other iOS devices and Macs to let you easily send all kinds of content without paying your carrier for a special messaging plan (data rates will still apply if you aren't on Wi-Fi), including any videos you've recorded on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. iMessage is built right into the same Messages app and Share Sheet that sends SMS and MMS to your non-iPhone using friends, so you don't have to do anything extra to use it either.

How to send contact cards using iMessage

How to send a contact card using iMessage

iMessage, and even traditional SMS makes it super simply to quickly send contact information from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. As long as you have the information listed in your iOS Contacts app, you're always only a few taps away from sharing a vCard file (vcf) containing phone numbers, email, street addresses, and much more.

How to send map locations using iMessage

How to share your location on your iPhone with iMessage

You can quickly share your location with friends, family, and colleagues using iMessage. Whether you're lost or need someone to give you directions, or you're waiting and want to help someone find you, iMessage is as simple as hitting the share button and sending. The person on the other end will be sent your location instantly.

How to send Voice Memos with iMessage

How to send a voice note from your iPhone via iMessage or SMS

The iPhone and iPod touch have a built-in Voice Memo app that can be handy for recording lengthy thoughts or instructions. Whether you need to dictate instructions to someone or want to share lecture notes from a class, iMessage makes it easy. Once they receive it they'll be able to play it directly through the Messages app.

How to turn on and off read receipts in iMessage

If you've got an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 5 or higher or a Mac running OS X Mountain Lion, you can use iMessage to send free text, photo, and video messages to anyone else in the world as long as they're using an iMessage capable device as well. Read receipts allow your contact to see whether or not you've viewed a message yet. While some people may consider read receipts to be a bit stalker-ish, others may find them useful for work and business situations.

How to get more help with iMessage

If you need more help setting up, using, or trouble-shooting iMessage on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Mac, head on over to our iMessage forum and ask away!



iPhone 5 Retina wallpapers

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 05:43 PM PDT

Looking for some hot Retina wallpapers to jazz up your brand new iPhone 5? Of course you are! And of course the iMore Forums have you covered! We've been stockpiling Retina wallpapers since the new iPad launched, and any and all of them would look fantastic on your new iPhone 5! All you have to do is sign into the iMore Forum, pick the wallpaper you like, touch and hold on it and then save it to your Camera Roll, then crop, scale, and rotate it to perfection and it's yours!

We've got the Avengers, Batman, Tron, and more! Here are some of my favorite iPhone 5 wallpapers:



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