The iPhone Blog


Tonight on the iMore show: The iPhone 5 review!

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 05:26 PM PDT

The iMore show returns tonight for the world premiere of our iPhone 5 review! That's right, we've finally done it and we've done it in exhaustive iMore style. Come join us as we talk it all over. (Brings snacks.)

Got a question? Leave it in the comments below, send it to podcast@imore.com, or tweet it to us with #imoreshow. Got it? Good! Join us LIVE at 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am BST. Set an alarm. Bookmark this page. Be here.

Want to go full screen? Head to iMore.com/live. Want to watch via iPhone or iPad? Grab the Ustream app and search for "mobilenations"!



How to selectively transfer app and game data to your new iPhone 5

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 11:03 AM PDT

How to manually transfer app data from one iOS device to another

If you picked up a new iPhone 5, did your iCloud, and something's still missing, you might have to move the data over manually. Likewise, if you set your iPhone 5 up as a new device but still want to keep data from a few apps or games, you'll have to move it over manually. iCloud and iTunes are great, but they're not granular.

If you use a Mac, an app like Ecamm's PhoneView is an excellent option. It'll let you browser your old iOS device, copy off just the data you want, and then copy it back to your new iPhone 5. And it's fairly straightforward to do.

Disclaimer: Moving files on your iPhone, or any iOS device for that matter without knowing what you're doing or where you're dropping files can corrupt your file system. Before moving anything, be sure it's what you need to move and that you're putting it in the right location. If you're unsure, we wouldn't recommend proceeding any further.

What you need

Note: Our directions are for Mac users using PhoneView but there are many other apps you can choose from in order to pull data off for both Mac and PC. The layout may be different but the process should be similar.

In order to transfer data from one iPhone to another you'll need a few things:

  • Your old iPhone (other other iOS device) with the data still in tact
  • Your new iPhone 5 (or any other new iOS device)
  • A Mac
  • PhoneView (Mac only) - $29.95 - Link
  • A 30-pin sync cable for your old iPhone
  • A Lightning connector sync cable for your iPhone 5

PhoneView does offer a free trial but what you can pull off your device may be limited. We recommend buying it if you want to make sure you're recovering all your data. Then if you ever need it again, you've already got it.

Once you've made sure you're good to go with all of the above, you can move on.

How to manually transfer iPhone data using PhoneView

  1. If you have a passcode on your old iPhone, enter it and unlock your iPhone so you're at the Home screen before plugging it in.
  2. Plug your old iPhone into your Mac and open the PhoneView app.
  3. phoneview main menu
  4. You'll see the main window and a guide to using PhoneView. In the left hand column there are many options. In our example, we're going to grab some game data that we need to transfer to our new iPhone 5.
  5. phoneview navigation
  6. Most game save data is saved in the Documents folder inside the app but the location can vary from app to app. We've put together a list towards the bottom of common places you'll find different data within iOS. It won't hurt to just copy the whole Documents folder if you'd like.
  7. phoneview app data
  8. Once you've found your game save data, choose the Copy from iPhone button at the top of PhoneView.
  9. You'll be asked to choose a location on your computer that you'd like to save it to. The quickest way to probably just create a folder on your desktop for the data.
  10. phoneview copy from iphone
  11. Once you've gotten all the data from your old iPhone that you need, unplug it and plug in your new iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  12. Navigate to each place that you need to drop data to. Once you're in that location choose the Copy to iPhone button along the top.
  13. phoneview copy to iphone
  14. Repeat this process for each game, app, or type of data you need to replace on your new iOS device.

That's it. The next time you launch your app or game on your iPhone 5, it should be just like you left it on your old iPhone.



Deal of the Day: 45% off iSkin Aura for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 07:37 AM PDT

Today Only: Buy the iSkin Aura for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 and save $17.99!

The Aura case features a discreet polycarbonate design that's finished with a luxurious brushed aircraft-grade aluminum for a refined and amazingly thin design. This case sports a firm snap-on design that resiliently clings to your iPhone.  A modern, lightweight, and slim-fitting take on quick, stylish protection. Comes in grey, blue and white.

List Price: $39.99     Today's Price: $22.00

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How to set up and use Notification Center's Do Not Disturb mode

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 07:37 AM PDT

How to use Do Not Disturb for Notification Center on iPhone and iPad

While Notification Center is a great tool for receiving alerts on your iPhone and iPad, some times notification turns into interruption. That's where the new iOS 6 Do Not Disturb feature comes in. It allows your iPhone or iPad to continue to collect notifications without beeping, buzzing, or lighting up the lock screen. Whether you're in a meeting or want a peaceful night's sleep, Do Not Disturb can give you it.

How to enable Do Not Disturb

You can quickly enable Do Not Disturb at any time to mute notifications and alerts until you're ready to let them start beeping and buzzing again.

  1. Launch the Settings app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
  2. settings_do_not_disturb
  3. Find the Do Not Disturb toggle and turn it to On.
  4. settings_do_not_disturb_on

How to customize Do Not Disturb settings

By default, the Do Not Disturb feature will still allow calls from Favorites or from anyone who calls twice in rapid succession. However, you can easily customize this to something that better suits your situation.

  1. Launch the Settings app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
  2. settings_do_not_disturb
  3. Tap Notifications.
  4. Tap Do Not Disturb.
  5. nc_general_settings
  6. Under Allow Calls From you can choose to allow calls from only Favorites, no one, or all calls. Choose the option you'd like and then go back to the previous screen by tapping Do Not Disturb in the upper left hand corner.
  7. do_not_disturb_calls
  8. The Repeated Calls option allows you to turn on or off repeated calls. This means that if the same person calls back within three minutes of the original call, the call will go through without being silenced the second time. If you want this feature turned off, tap the slider to Off.
  9. do_not_disturb_settings

How to schedule Do Not Disturb

If you have regular times each day that you don't want to be bothered with notifications, you can enable Do Not Disturb to automatically turn on every day at the same time. This is a nice feature to use at night so Messages, Facebook, phone calls, Twitter, and other notifications don't disturb you while you're trying to sleep.

  1. Launch the Settings app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
  2. settings_do_not_disturb
  3. Tap Notifications.
  4. Tap Do Not Disturb.
  5. nc_general_settings
  6. Tick the slider to On under the Scheduled option.
  7. do_not_disturb_settings
  8. Tap on the From/To section and choose the times you'd like Do Not Disturb to be regularly activated for every day.
  9. Do not disturb schedule

That's it. Do Not Disturb will activate on its own every day at the times specified.

How to quickly tell if Do Not Disturb is active

If you're worried that you might accidentally turn on Do Not Disturb mode, or that you might forget it's been automatically scheduled, and you'll miss an important alert, iOS 6 makes it easy to tell at a glance whether Do Not Disturb is active or not.

Simply look at the status bar at the top of your iPhone and if you see a little crescent moon icon, Do Not Disturb is on. If you don't, Do Not Disturb is off.



New Apple EarPods vs. original earbuds: Should you upgrade?

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 06:36 AM PDT

If you haven't yet upgraded to the iPhone 5, can you get some of that iPhone 5 experience by upgrading to Apple's new EarPods earbuds? At $29 they're not as expensive as high-end earpieces, but they're not exactly cheap either. Compared to the original Apple earbuds, the ones that shipped with every iPhone, iPod, and iPad up until the iPhone 5, are they a worthwhile upgrade, or are you better off waiting and just getting them for "free" with your next iOS device?

EarPods vs earbuds: Comfort and sound

The most noticeably new thing about the new EarPods is their design. The old earbuds used a ubiquitously round shape and speaker while the new EarPods have a more distinct, ergonomic shape that fit the ear canals in a more snug, comfortable fashion, and support a dual output setup.

I hardly ever used the original earbuds as, like many others, I find them ill-fitting and uncomfortable. After many years of submission grappling I have some gangly, nasty cauliflower ears. Yet, even in spite of my haggardly disfigurement, I find the new EarBuds fit quite comfortable and securely.

I am no audiophile by any stretch of the imagination, but due to the ergonomically snug fit of the new design, I found the sound from the earbuds to be more dynamic and had better range and base than the original earbuds. Also, because of the dual setup, they can do noise canceling to help make phone calls sound better as well.

EarPods vs earbuds: Remote and mic

Both the new EarPods and the original earbuds allow the wearer to control their iPhone, iPod, or iPad with an inline remote. You can play or pause, skip forward or back, fast forward or rewind, and of course increase and decrease the volume. And with it's built in mic you can control calls and interact with Siri, or VoiceControl on earlier generation iPhones.

The remote and mic assembly in the new EarPods, however, is larger and much easier to fumble for, find, and use without looking. Likewise, the original earbuds also seem to have used a lower gauge of wire than the new EarPods which may affect durability.

The mic itself sounds about the same in both.

The bottom line

Overall, I think many people will be happily surprised with the new EarPods from Apple. They sound better, they fit better, and they're easier to use.

So what's the downside? The price tag. The EarPods are $29 and while that's nothing compared to ultra-high end earpieces that can cost hundreds of dollars, it's also not an insignificant chunk of change.

If you like the original earbuds and they work and fit fine for you, then there's no reason to upgrade to the EarPods. Save your money for now, and you'll get them for "free" anyway when you get your next iOS device.

If you hate the original earbuds but don't want to pay a hundred dollars or more for high-end alternatives, than at $29 the EarPods a re good low-mid range option. They sound good for the price, and have all the controls you need for your iOS device.

The new Apple EarPods aren't going to blow anyone's hair back, but while literally anything would have been an improvement over the original earbuds, the EarPods are a better than expected one for the price.



Instagram and Google Chrome get updated for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 12:32 AM PDT

Instagram and Google Chrome get updated for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5 Instagram and Google Chrome have finally received updates for compatibility with iOS 6 and the iPhone 5's larger 4-inch screen. When we say finally, it's funny as the iPhone 5 has only been out for less than a week but it seems like if your app is not updated on the day of launch then it's already late to the party.

Instagram, which has over 80 million users worldwide is updated to version 3.1.0 and includes iPhone 5 support, iOS 6 support, improved password recovery procedures and a redesigned registration flow.

Google Chrome's update is equally as simple; it again includes support for iPhone 5 and iOS 6 as well as a few stability and security improvements.

There are still many apps that need to be updated for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5's 4-inch screen but at least as every day goes by we can tick more and more off that wanted list. Which apps are you waiting for to be updated for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5?

Free - Instagram - Download Now

Free - Chrome - Download Now



Google reportedly didn't expect Apple to ditch their maps so soon, still months away from releasing new app

Posted: 25 Sep 2012 10:35 PM PDT

Apple has a year left on their most recent Google Maps agreement, apparently, and didn't expect Apple to remove them from iOS 6 and launch a new app anywhere near this soon. Meaning, Google was caught flat-footed and won't be ready to ship a standalone Google Maps app for the App Store for several more months. This according to a quartet of stories published today.

Kevin Krolicki of Reuters scored a quote from Google Executive Chairman, Eric Schmidt:

"We think it would have been better if they had kept [our maps]. But what do I know?" Schmidt told a small group of reporters in Tokyo. "What were we going to do, force them not to change their mind? It's their call."

Schmidt also said Android was kicking the iPhone's butt, yet doesn't enjoy the same kind of media attention obsessively lavished on Apple. So there.

Bloomberg also got a quote from Schmidt at the same Tokyo Nexus event:

"We haven't done anything yet with Google Maps," Schmidt told reporters in Tokyo today. Apple would "have to approve it. It's their choice," Schmidt said, declining to say if the Mountain View, California-based company submitted an application to Apple for sale through its App Store.

Chris Ziegler of The Verge, meanwhile, says Google was caught off-guard by Apple's timing:

Apple's decision to ship its own mapping system in the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 was made over a year before the company's agreement to use Google Maps expired, according to two independent sources familiar with the matter. The decision, made sometime before Apple's WWDC event in June, sent Google scrambling to develop an iOS Google Maps app — an app which both sources say is still incomplete and currently not scheduled to ship for several months.

And Nick Wingfield and Claire Cain Miller of the New York Times says making the standalone Google Maps app will be complicated, firstly because they already have a Google Earth app and will need to figure out if they're going to consolidate it into maps, but also...

Google's contract with Apple to keep the maps app on the iPhone had more time remaining, and Google did not know that Apple had changed its mind until Apple said publicly in June that it would replace the app with its new maps app, according to two people briefed on the decision.

Though, frankly, if Google only figured out Apple was rolling their own mapping solution when it was announced at WWDC, they're clearly reading the wrong blogs... The moment Apple bought its first mapping company, PlaceBase back in July of 2009 alarm bells should have been going off for Google -- giant, neon alarm bells -- and they should have immediately begun a skunkworks project to have a standalone iOS app ready and waiting for just such a turn of events. Seriously, it's like watching someone wind up a punch with cartoon-like exaggeration and not even preparing to counterpunch until knuckle starts denting jaw.

In any case, iOS 6 users will have to keep offering corrections to Apple's database, and those desperate to get Google Maps back onto their iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads will likely be stuck using maps.google.com for the next few months still, and that's unfortunate.



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