iPhone news

First Magazine Advertisement for iPhone 5s Appears, Highlights Touch ID Sensor

Posted on October 18, 2013 by sales

Apple has started a new print advertising campaign for the iPhone 5s. The first spot, running on the back of this week’s issue of The New Yorker, showcases the Touch ID-equipped home button of the new gold iPhone 5s.

Your finger is the password.

Touch ID was created not only to protect all the important and personal information on your phone, but to be so easy to use, you’ll actually use it. Its state-of-the-art technology learns your unique fingerprint, so you can unlock your phone or even authorize purchases with just a simple touch.

Touch ID. Only on iPhone 5s.

The spot in our image includes T-Mobile branding, but Apple’s iPhone TV ads have traditionally rotated branding between all the carriers that carry the iPhone, likely as part of a co-marketing agreement.

Apple has been heavily advertising the iPhone 5c on television in recent weeks, but we have seen relatively little about the 5s, likely because of tight supplies. The print ads mention ‘limited availability’ of the iPhone 5s in fine print.

Update: Entertainment Weekly and Sports Illustrated are running the same ad but with Sprint co-branding, while Rolling Stone is running it with Verizon co-branding and TIME is running it with AT&T co-branding.

New Accelerometer Supplier Could Be Causing Incorrect iPhone 5s Level and Compass Measurements

Posted on October 17, 2013 by sales

A new supplier for the accelerometer part in the iPhone 5s could be causing incorrect level and compass measurements in the new device, an issue that was first noticed earlier this month.

RealityCap CEO Eagle Jones read into the Chipworks teardown of the iPhone 5s (viaGizmodo) and noticed that the phone uses the Bosch Sensortech BMA220 as its accelerometer. The iPhone 5, for example, used an accelerometer fromSTMicroelectronics.

iPhone 5s and level, courtesy Gizmodo
Both devices have similar consistency in measurement, but the Bosch device has a larger measurement ‘bias’. The end result, as Jones notes, is that the new accelerometer has a different ‘zero-g offset’ which would need to be compensated for in software.

The second key spec for accelerometers is the zero-g offset, or bias. This indicates the range for a roughly constant offset that will be added to every output sample of data due to manufacturing variance. This can also change over time due to mechanical stress or temperature variation. This is where we find the problem: the typical bias for the ST part is +/- 20mg, while the Bosch part lists +/-95mg. This almost 5x greater offset range is confirmed by our measurements, and is absolutely consistent with the failures being reported by users and the media. Specifically, a +/- 20mg offset range would translate to around a +/-1 degree accuracy range in tilt detection, and a +/-95mg offset translates to +/-5 degrees in tilt.

He goes on to note that developers can compensate for the increased offset because it is unlikely to change significantly from one measurement to another, though Apple could do a system-wide fix at the OS level to ensure accurate measurements in the future.

iPhone Trade-In Program Officially Launching Today at UK Retail Stores

Posted on October 15, 2013 by sales

After officially launching the U.S. version of the program in late August, Apple has officially confirmed that it is launching its iPhone trade-in program today at its UK retail stores, reportsPocket-lint.

“iPhones hold great value. So, Apple Retail Stores in the UK are launching a new program to assist customers who wish to bring in their previous-generation iPhone for reuse or recycling,” an Apple spokesperson has said. “In addition to helping support the environment, customers will be able to receive a credit for their returned phone that they can use toward the purchase of a new iPhone.”

Under the program, users can receive a gift card in exchange for their older devices, although the gift card must immediately be used toward the purchase of a new iPhone.

Customers may also get quotes from Apple for a similar trade-in program online thatlaunched nearly two years ago, with the option of shipping a device for recycling available as well. In the United States, the online and in-store programs are run by different third-party companies, and the same may be true in the UK, meaning that consumers may want to check both programs to determine any differences in trade-in value. Separate trade-in services may also offer greater value, although Apple’s in-store program offers the convenience of an immediate no-hassle credit against the purchase of a new device.

More iPhone 5C, 5S news: http://www.obd2mobile.com/category/iphone-news/

iPhone 5s Users Reporting ‘Blue Screen of Death’ Error with iWork Apps

Posted on October 14, 2013 by sales

Several threads on the Apple Support Communities forum are reporting random reboots on the iPhone 5s while using Apple’s iWork apps, with the issue being signaled by the brief appearance of an all-blue screen naturally being compared to the famous Windows “Blue Screen of Death” (BSOD). The issue was reported by iPhone in Canada last month but has been gaining significantly more attention today after being picked up by The Verge.

As shown in videos posted by users, the issue may appear when a user simply opens a document in Pages or another iWork app and then closes the app by pressing the home button on their device. Double-pressing the home button to enter multitasking mode can also trigger the issue. Users in the threads are also reporting random reboots during regular device use, which also may be caused by a number of reasons specific to the device.

Users have reported that the error can be temporarily fixed by turning off iCloud syncing for Apple’s Pages, Keynote and Numbers apps, but that fix does not appear to address the other random reboots on the device. Apple released iOS 7.0.2 last month with a fix for a lock screen passcode bypass issue, and was said to be seeding iOS 7.0.3 internally as of last week, but it is unknown if it will contain a fix, or whether Apple will deploy updates to its iWork suite of applications to remedy the problem.

Earlier today, a study showed that apps running on the iPhone 5s are crashing twice as frequently as on the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5, with the new 64-bit A7 chip and M7 motion coprocessor presumably adding wrinkles that may be causing some apps difficulties.

Regulatory Agency Grants Apple Authorization Needed to Sell iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in Brazil

Posted on October 11, 2013 by sales

Apple has been granted authorization by the Brazillian National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) needed to sell the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in the country, reports ZDNet. The new devices have received approval to operate with 4G technology avaliable in Brazil on the 2600 MHz band, while previous models had been limited to the 700 MHz band level. The devices will be produced domestically at the Foxconn factories in São Paulo.

However, it is not known at this time when Apple’s new iPhones will launch in the country, as it is not included in the two new rounds of international iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c launches that Apple announced yesterday. Last year, the iPhone 5 was approved for Brazil in October only to be launched in the country on two months later on Friday, December 14, almost three months after the phone’s launch in the first wave of countries.

The news also comes as Apple won the right to legally use the “iPhone” name in Brazil last month, after a judge ruled in favor of the Cupertino company in an ongoing lawsuit with Brazillian company IGB Electronica, after a long legal battle that stretched for almost a year. A report in August also indicated that Apple’s first Brazillian retail store will open in December in Rio de Janeiro after recruiting prospective employees in November 2012.

Japanese Carrier DoCoMo Experiences Record Loss in Subscribers as iPhone 5s Shortages Continue

Posted on October 9, 2013 by sales

Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo sustained a record loss of 66,800 subscribers for the month of September, with the drop attributed to a lack of stock of the new iPhone 5s, reports Reuters. Rival Japanese carriers Softbank and KDDI saw gains of 270,700 and 232,700 subscribers respectively,according to Bloomberg, with all three carriersoffering the iPhone 5s free on contract through special promotions.

DoCoMo attributed the subscriber loss to customers who delayed purchases until after Apple’s new mobiles went on sale Sept. 20 and insufficient stock of those handsets, said Atsuko Suzuki, a company spokeswoman. Rival carriers’ marketing strategies also hurt sales, she said.

Notably, the avaliability of the new iPhone 5s and lower-cost iPhone 5c through DoCoMo marks the first time that Apple’s mobile phones have been offered on the carrier, coming after a July report pointed to a loss of 3.2 million users over the last four and a half years as the carrier did not have a deal with Apple to offer the iPhone. However, a report in early September indicated that the carrier would finally offer the iPhone following comments from DoCoMo CEO Kazuto Tsubouchi citing“compelling reasons” to reach a deal.

Avaliability of the iPhone 5s has remained extremely tight throughout the world since its release last month, with Apple relaunching an in-store pickup option for U.S. online orders just last week. The company also continues to quote “October” shipping estimates for online orders in countries where the iPhone 5s has launched, suggesting that Apple is still experiencing some uncertainty about how quickly it will be able to meet demand.

Walmart Drops iPhone 5c Pricing to $45 On Contract Through the Holidays

Posted on October 5, 2013 by sales

Following announcements from Best Buy and RadioShack that they will be offering $50 gift cards to iPhone 5c customers that will bring the prices down to $50 for a 16 GB model with a two-year contract, Walmart will be undercutting even those offers starting today by dropping its pricing to $45, reports MarketWatch.While Best Buy’s current offer is good only through next Monday and RadioShack’s is scheduled to run for about a month, Walmart’s pricing will be valid throughout the holiday shopping season. Walmart has been offering the iPhone 5c for $79 since launch, a $20 discount from standard pricing.

Price drops around the holidays are not terribly unusual for major iPhone retailers, but stores are being rather aggressive in announcing price drops on a brand-new iPhone model so soon after launch. iPhone 5c models have been in relatively good supply since their launch, while the more expensive iPhone 5s has seen significant shortages. The iPhone 5s has not seen any significant sale announcements, although Walmart has been offering the 16 GB model for $189, a $10 discount from normal pricing, since launch.

Apple Aiming to Grow in India by Building Standalone Franchise Stores in Small Markets

Posted on October 5, 2013 by sales

Apple India executives Maneesh Dhir and Sanjay Kaul have stated in a meeting with retailers that the company will be focusing on consumers in small cities and towns in the country in order to grow sales, reports The Economic Times (via The Next Web).

The executives state that Apple desires to build 100 exclusive standalone stores under the franchise model in smaller markets, and will aim to do so by the end of the current fiscal year. The company is precisely interested in the changing demographic of the market, with both executives feeling that the aspiration level of Apple products amongst the youth are growing along with the population of wealthy citizens.

The move comes amid Samsung’s success in the Indian hinterland, said a senior executive with a retail chain, besides which companies such as Sony and Nokia have been able to sell smartphones costing in excess of 30,000 in areas outside the metros. The 16 GB iPhone 5 costs 45,500. India pricing for the upcoming iPhone models – the 5C and the 5S – hasn’t been announced yet.

“Apple has realised that if it wants to grow fast in India, it has to look beyond the metros,” said the CEO of one of India’s retail chains. The company wants to grow upwards of 30% year-on-year in India and feels the smaller markets would play a critical role since the aspiration level of Apple products amongst the youth and rich is growing there as well.

India notably does not have any Apple Retail Stores in its country; however a report in January 2012 stated that Apple was interested to build stores in the country after business regulations were eased. Apple was also planning for ‘significant growth’ of its reseller network in India as reported last March.

Figures from research firm Canalys reported in August for Q2 2013 showed that India is now the third largest smartphone market in the world, with 129% growth in the region resulting in 9 million smartphone shipments during the quarter. Apple CEO Tim Cook alsomentioned during the company’s Q3 2013 earnings call that iPhone sales in India were increased by 400% year-on-year, while the iPad posted double-digit growth in the region, highlighting the potential for future growth in the market.

Apple to Resume In-Store Pickup Orders for iPhone 5s Next Week

Posted on October 2, 2013 by sales

On Monday, Apple began offering a Personal Pickup option for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c via its online purchase page and through its Apple Store app, giving customers a way to check in-store availability for each phone model and place orders for in-store pickup.

The following day, Apple removed the in-store pickup option for iPhone 5s orders, leaving shoppers with the option of placing an online order for delivery in October or visiting local retail stores in person to check in-store availability. There was no explanation given for the feature’s removal, though the continued constrained supply of the iPhone 5s could have contributed.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple will reinstate the in-store pickup option for both the app and its website beginning on Monday, September 30, once again allowing customers to check stock and place orders for pickup.

Apple’s supplies of the iPhone 5s remain tight, with all models and capacities displaying a ship time of October. iPhone 5c supplies are plentiful, with all models and capacities shipping within 24 hours.