iPhone Gadget Review

Is this what Apple's new iPhone 5 will look like?

2012-07-15T11:55:00.002-07:00



There are many different rumors regarding Apple's next-generation iPhone (which will be introduced later this year), but all of them seem to agree on one thing: the new handset - quite possibly called iPhone 5 - will have a display of at least 4 inches. This being said, KitGuru has managed to obtain some photos which reportedly show "a pre-release test sample" of the iPhone 5. Spotted "in the Far East", this alleged new iPhone does seem to have a 4-inch display, and is slightly longer than the iPhone 4S - as you can see in the photos below. Can we expect the new iPhone to look like this? Of course we can. Is this truly what it will look like? Well, this we do not know. But more leaks are likely on their way before Apple officially announces the device (maybe in late August, or early September), so let's sit back and wait for them.

New 2012 iPhone body reportedly leaks, gives the glass front its time to shine

2012-07-15T10:09:00.005-07:00

Remember that tall, mostly aluminum 2012 iPhone shell that appeared to have leaked? It's back. This time, KitGuru has unearthed what it claims is a “test sample” with the glass front panel roughly intact. We've seen the darker steel sides, aluminum back and new dock connector before, but the front gives us a much better sense of how the finished product (if real) will turn out. Sitting next to an iPhone 4S, it's suggested that the new model would stuff in that bigger screen more through a better use of the available area — there's much less blank space than on the iPhones we've known since 2007.

Savi People app brings 'smarter' contacts to iPhone, integrates with your favorite social networks

2012-07-15T10:09:00.002-07:00

If you haven't been completely content with the stock Contacts app on your renowned Cupertino handset, and were wishing there was a little more to squeeze out of it - there might just be something in the App Store waiting to meet your needs. Enter Savi People. The 99-cent application essentially brings all your address book connections into one hub, but what separates it from the Contacts you've come to know is its integration with most of your preferred social networks - you know, the likes of Twitter, Facebook and, with the latest update, Instagram. Assuming you give Savi People the credentials to get into your accounts, you'll be tweeting, sending direct messages and posting on people's walls in no time directly from the app. You can grab Savi People for a little less than a dollar right now, though that could change at any timeasit is a "special" price.

Sanwa 3D Viewer

2012-07-05T09:59:00.004-07:00

The new Sanwa 3D Viewer is designed to work with your iPhone, allowing you to enjoy 3D YouTube content on-the-go. Measuring 40mm x 90mm x 75mm and weighing 127 grams, the gadget magnifies side-by-side yt3D YouTube movies on your iPhone. It has a slot to hold an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S. The Sanwa 3D Viewer is currently available only in Japan for 1,980 Yen or approx. $25. [Impress]

Pioneer X-CM31 Small Audio System

2012-07-05T09:59:00.001-07:00

If you are searching for a new audio system, then check out the Pioneer X-CM31. Measuring 200mm x 250mm x 12mm, the sound system is equipped with an integrated CD player, 2x15W speakers and a built-in iPod/iPhone dock. The Pioneer X-CM31 has a USB port, allowing you to play your favorite music tracks which are stored on a thumb drive. It is compatible with both WMA and MP3 files. Available in black, white, red and brown, the Pioneer X-CM31 retails for 20,000 Yen ($250). [Akihabara]

Soundfreaq Sound Rise Clock Radio

2012-07-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

Soundfreaq will release its new Sound Rise clock radio exclusively at Target stores this fall. Priced at just $99, the clock radio features a front-mounted dock for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod. The Soundfreaq Sound Rise clock radio also has a front-mounted touch panel display, a digital FM radio, dual alarm clocks, a 2.1 speaker system and a USB port for charging your USB gadgets. What’s more, the gadget also supports Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio streaming. [iLounge]

Spotify brings streaming radio to iPhone, iPad app

2012-06-19T08:12:00.002-07:00

Spotify on Tuesday announced the addition of free mobile radio to the company's popular Spotify app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Spotify's radio features were previously only available to desktop users, however free and premium Spotify users can now stream limitless artist, song, playlist or album-based radio stations to Apple's iOS devices. "Our focus has always been on creating an amazing user experience," said Spotify VP of product, Charlie Hellman. "The radio feature we've added to our iPhone and iPad apps gives users the ability to discover, listen and save what they like on the go – all within one app – for free." Spotify's full press release follows below, and Spotify's app is available for free in the iOS App Store.

Spotify Launches Free Mobile Radio in the US

Latest update for iOS app includes radio you can save

Starting today, Spotify users in the US can play for free on iPhone and iPad. The latest update to Spotify's iOS app includes the new radio feature, giving free users in the US access to an unlimited amount of music on the move. The update is now available for download in the App Store.

The new radio feature for iOS is seamlessly integrated into the Spotify service, creating an unmatched user experience of listening, discovering, saving and sharing music, from a catalog of more than 16 million songs.

Spotify users on iPhone and iPad can now:

Create limitless streaming radio stations from single songs, playlists, albums or artists
Create an unlimited number of stations and listen as long as they like
Save tracks to Spotify playlists – any song that users "like" will be saved, so they can find the songs later
Personalize stations in real time by "liking" tracks to hear similar music
Browse friends' playlists and create radio stations based on their tastes
Hear great new songs from Spotify's state-of-the-art recommendation engine, based on what millions of real people are listening to
Access a catalog of over 16 million tracks

"Our focus has always been on creating an amazing user experience," said Charlie Hellman, VP, Product at Spotify. "The radio feature we've added to our iPhone and iPad apps gives users the ability to discover, listen and save what they like on the go – all within one app – for free."

Premium users of the Spotify iOS app will continue to have an ad-free experience. Free users in the US will hear advertisements from the following launch partners: Chevrolet, Durex, Heineken, Red Stag by Jim Beam, Lipton Iced Tea, Macy's, McDonalds, Progressive, Red Bull, Taco Bell, Verizon Wireless, and Warner Bros - all of which are current Spotify advertisers.

The new Spotify radio feature will also be available to Premium users outside of the United States.

Chrono iPhone Case Straps you in for a Secure Grip

2012-06-10T11:40:00.003-07:00

Trying to design a better iPhone case ranks right up there with designing a better mouse trap. Everyone thinks they can do it, but only a rare few have. Most iPhone cases bore me because they all look relatively similar and have nothing that makes them stand out from all the other cases on the market. When people send me links to cases that they want reviewed or mentioned, my eyes usually glaze over. So when I saw a new email in my inbox that had the subject of Chrono Case – an "Insanely Great" iPhone Case, I may have actually yawned. But then I read Mike Chan's email about his Indiegogo project (similar to Kickstarter). This case is made of aluminum and features a screwless design and an adjustable strap that is built into the back side of the case. This elastic strap can be used hold items like credit cards, money or your earbuds. But it can also be used as a gripping aid by sliding your fingers under the strap. A $55 pledge gets you on the list for a black Chrono Case. Higher donations will get you other colors. What do you think? Does it have potential?

Virgin Mobile USA officially launching iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 on June 29

2012-06-08T12:45:00.003-07:00

Today, Virgin Mobile USA has confirmed that it's going to sell Apple's iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. It will do it starting June 29, hence a bit earlier than initially rumored. Virgin Mobile will become the second US pre-paid carrier to offer the iPhone, after Cricket Wireless, which is going to launch it on June 22.

Unfortunately for Virgin customers, iPhone prices will be significantly higher than on Cricket: $649 (iPhone 4S 16GB), and $549 (iPhone 4 8GB). You'll be able to choose plans starting at $30 per month.

Virgin Mobile lets you register for further details on its iPhones here.

Another smartphones that's reportedly going to be released by Virgin this month is the HTC One V. This runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and will be way cheaper than the iPhone: just $200.

Apple's iPhone 4 and 4S to be available from Virgin Mobile on June 29th

2012-06-08T12:44:00.007-07:00



Virgin Mobile on Thursday formally announced the future availability of Apple's iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S smartphones. The 8GB iPhone 4 will retail for $549, while the newer 16GB Phone 4S will cost $649 with no contract. Both handsets will be eligible for Virgin Mobile's unlimited data and messaging plans that start as low as $30 per month. “This month marks Virgin Mobile USA's tenth birthday," said Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. "And what better way to thank our fans for ten years of loyalty than by giving them exactly what they want: the perfect plan for the perfect phone. That is the essence of 'A Higher Calling.' " The two iPhone models will be available online and through RadioShack, Best Buy and select local retailers on June 29th. Virgin Mobile's press release follows below. Virgin Mobile USA to Offer iPhone on June 29 Plans as Low as $30 Per Month WARREN, N.J. - June 7, 2012 – Virgin Mobile USA announced today it will offer iPhone to its prepaid customers beginning Friday, June 29. Virgin Mobile will offer iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S with its Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans as low as $30 per-month on the Sprint® Nationwide Network. iPhone will be available without a contract and with no fees for activation or roaming. New and existing customers can purchase iPhone at www.virginmobileusa.com, RadioShack, Best Buy and select local retailers. iPhone 4S is the most amazing iPhone yet, packed with incredible features including Apple's dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics; an all-new camera with advanced optics; full 1080p HD resolution video recording; and Siri, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. iPhone 4S comes with iOS 5.1, the world's most advanced mobile operating system, and iCloud, a breakthrough set of free cloud services that work with your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC to automatically and wirelessly store your content in iCloud and push it to all your devices. Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans for iPhone start at $35 per month for access to Sprint's Nationwide Network, and customers can receive a $5 per-month plan discount when they register for automatic monthly payments with a credit card, debit card or PayPal account, making iPhone available for as low as $30 per month. Customers can also use their iPhone as a mobile hotspot through Virgin Mobile for an additional $15 per month. "This month marks Virgin Mobile USA's tenth birthday," said Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. "And what better way to thank our fans for ten years of loyalty than by giving them exactly what they want: the perfect plan for the perfect phone. That is the essence of 'A Higher Calling.'"

38% of recent iPhone buyers switched from Android or BlackBerry

2012-06-08T12:44:00.002-07:00

A new survey from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners found that the number of customers switching from Android and BlackBerry handsets to the iPhone has continued to increase, Apple Insider reported. According to a previous survey, 29% of iPhone users in February had switched from an Android or BlackBerry device. The latest numbers indicate that as of April, 38% of iPhone buyers were previously Android or BlackBerry owners, and 73% purchased the iPhone 4S over an older iPhone model. The amount of users switching to Apple's smartphone is even higher than after the iPhone 4S first launched this past holiday season, when it sat at 36%. AT&T's iPhone market share has since fallen from 53% to 51% according to the study, while Sprint's share dropped from 13% to 12%. Verizon's market share among new iPhone buyers has seemingly increased from 34% to 37%.

Prepaid iPhone coming to Virgin Mobile USA

2012-06-06T12:58:00.001-07:00

Apple's ever-popular iPhone will be coming to yet another prepaid wireless carrier this summer, according to a new Market Watch report. Citing unnamed sources, Market Watch's Thomas Gryta Tuesday reported on Tuesday that Virgin Mobile USA licensee Sprint would announce this week that Virgin Mobile subscribers will be able to use the iPhone as their device of choice for prepaid voice and data services. Gryta didn't say exactly when Virgin Mobile would start offering the prepaid iPhone but said it could start as soon as July. Earlier rumors have indicated that Sprint also plans to bring the iPhone to Boost Mobile, another of its prepaid wireless carriers. Regional carrier Cricket, owned by Leap Wireless, was the first carrier to officially offer the iPhone alongside its prepaid plans and is charging users $399.99 for the 8GB iPhone 4 and $499.99 for the 16GB iPhone 4S.

Virgin Mobile may launch the iPhone on July 1

2012-06-06T12:57:00.003-07:00

Interestingly, it looks like Cricket won't be the only carrier to offer the iPhone with prepaid plans in the US in the near future after all. A few days ago we told you that Cricket will be the first prepaid carrier to launch Apple's smartphone.

And according to the Wall Street Journal, Virgin Mobile is getting ready to follow suit. Sprint's prepaid arm is set to release the iPhone on July 1. That's a few days after Cricket, so that carrier won't lose the ‘first to offer the iPhone on prepaid' crown.

Pricing for the Virgin Mobile iPhone hasn't been revealed yet, and it's unclear whether Boost Mobile (Sprint's other prepaid brand) will also get to sell the Apple smartphone.

New details surrounding Apple's next iPhone emerge

2012-06-06T12:57:00.000-07:00



If the recent flurry of rumors and reports surrounding Apple's sixth-generation iPhone add up, we can expect a top-to-bottom redesign when Apple finally unveils its next-generation smartphone later this year. Several leaked images of what is supposedly the housing for Apple's next iPhone hit the Web last week showing a taller, thinner aluminum case that could easily support a larger display. While the authenticity of the images has not been confirmed, they do support earlier claims from both The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, suggesting the next-generation iPhone will include a new display measuring at least 4 inches diagonally. Now, an analyst with a solid track record has issed a research note that paints a more complete picture of the upcoming iPhone's new display. “We expect iPhone 5 to feature a 4.08-inch in-cell IPS panel screen with a display resolution of 1,136 x 640 and 500-nit brightness,” KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote on Wednesday in a note to clients. He also stated that despite the inclusion of a new larger display, Apple's upcoming iPhone will utilize a battery that is roughly the same capacity as the one found in the iPhone 4S. According to the analyst's sources within Apple's supply chain, the new iPhone display will measure 50.9 millimeters wide by 90.3 millimeters tall, and Apple has contracted Toshiba Matsushita Display, LG Display and Sharp to supply the new panels. Kuo also reaffirmed earlier reports that the next-generation iPhone will utilize in-cell touch elements in its display. Kuo notes that Apple chose not to use a larger 4.3-inch display because it would require a larger battery and it would not support comfortable single-handed operation. The analyst also says that Apple's new iPhone housing will be thinner than the glass and aluminum case utilized by the current-generation iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4. Recent reports suggest Apple's next iPhone will launch in September or October alongside a new “iPad mini,” and BGR reported last December that Apple intends to launch a completely redesigned iPhone in the fall.

7.9mm iPhone 5 to come with 4.1' screen, 1136 x 640 resolution

2012-06-06T12:38:00.004-07:00



A familiar rumor is back - the new confirmation coming from KGI analyst Mingchi Kuo, who is said to have sources close to Apple's supply chain. The next incarnation of the Apple iPhone could turn up with a 4.08-inch display of 1136 x 640 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio and a brightness of 500 nits (matching the iPhone 4S). This, despite not technically being HD worthy, would result in a density of good 319 pixels per inch, preserving the Retina moniker, and moving away from the familiar 3:2 aspect. Mingchi Kuo also has info on the cameras and thickness of the iPhone 5, saying that the front-facing camera will be HD-capable, making those FaceTime calls all the sweeter, and that the camera will be moved from the left side of the earpiece to the center (much like on the iPod Touch). The back camera will reportedly have 8 MP sensor and a 5 element lens similar to the 4S but with a larger aperture of f/2.2 (currently f/2.4). That would allow more light to reach the sensor and improve the low-light performance. As for the profile, Kuo claims that the next iPhone will measure the impressively thin 7.9 mm, which is a huge improvement over the iPhone 4S's 9.3 mm. The bigger display bit is probably the most persistent of all iPhone 5 rumors, only this time the said screen size isn't 3.9" but 4.08". However, altering the screen aspect ratio might lead to poor backwards compatibility with apps, which have been developed for the 3:2 aspect ratio of all iPhones to date. Still the width of the screen, if this rumor turns out true, will remain 640 pixels, which is the same as the current iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, meaning apps could run just fine with blank bars on each side until their developers get round to adapting them. The next iPhone, or iPhone 5, is rumored to arrive in the fall, in either September, or as was the case last time, October. As always there are a bunch of rumors surrounding it, one pointing at an aluminium back and larger screen. We're less than a week away from finding out what this year's WWDC conference in San Francisco and iOS 6 will bring. There might be some clues for the specs of the upcoming iPhone 5. Source \| Via

Apple's new iPhone 5 could be only 7.9mm thin, HD front-facing camera rumored

2012-06-06T12:38:00.000-07:00



A new report from Taiwanese firm KGI suggests that Apple's sixth-generation iPhone - possibly called iPhone 5 - will be significantly thinner than the previous model (iPhone 4S, released in October 2011, and measuring 9.3mm). In a table that shows the iPhone 5's cameras specifications, KGI mentions the device's thickness, too. Reportedly, that's of only 7.9 millimeters. This would make the new iPhone thinner than both the Samsung Galaxy S III, and HTC One X (which are two of its main competitors). It looks like Apple will keep the 8MP Sony sensor for the rear camera of the iPhone 5, but plans to upgrade the front-facing camera with an HD-capable sensor. According to Apple Insider, the Taiwanese firm also seems to confirm that the next iPhone will have a 4 inch display (4.08 inches, to be exact) with a 1136 x 640 pixel resolution – for a 16:9 aspect ratio. By all means, increasing the screen size and resolution of its new smartphone is an important thing for Apple to do, if it wants to keep selling tens of millions of units. We still don't know exactly when the new iPhone will be officially announced. If production starts in late Q2 / early Q3, as rumored recently, the smartphone will likely not be unveiled in the next few months. We'll let you know when new details about this appear.

Pure Contour 200i Air Speaker Dock

2012-06-05T02:54:00.003-07:00

Pure is back with its latest product in the form of the Contour 200i Air speaker dock. Designed for Apple’s iPad, iPod and iPhone, the digital music system features Apple’s AirPlay wireless streaming technology that lets you stream music wirelessly to Contour 200i Air from a compatible iPod, iPhone or iPad or from iTunes on your computer using a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. You can also download the free Pure Lounge app, allowing you to enjoy over 16,000 internet radio stations or on-demand programs from your iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. The Pure Contour 200i Air speaker dock retails for around $310 (after conversion). [Pure]

Twig Ultra-portable Cable For iPhone

2012-06-05T02:52:00.002-07:00

Designed by Jason Hilbourne, the Twig is an ultra-portable cable that doubles up as a tripod for your iPhone and iPod. The Twig is a short version of the dock connector. Measuring at only 4-inch long, it is perfect for anyone who is on-the-go. You just need to plug it into your AC adapter to make an instant wall charger dock. [Kickstarter]

The world's most luxurious iPhone collection launched by Swiss company Golden Dreams

2012-04-14T04:51:00.003-07:00



Golden Dreams, a company based in Geneva, Switzerland, has announced "the world's most luxurious iPhone collection," which includes luxury iPhones dressed in leather, gold, or diamonds. These will certainly give Amosu, Gresso, GoldStriker and the others a run for their money. The new Golden Dreams collection includes three iPhone models: Desert Edition (using "carefully selected alligator leather"), Gold Edition (with "with 24ct-gold plating or with 120 grams of 18ct gold"), and Diamond Edition (which can contain up to 4,057 diamonds). Prices for the Desert Edition iPhones start at 1,990 Swiss francs (about $2,172). Gold Edition iPhones cost at least 2,150 Swiss francs ($2,346). As for the Diamond Edition ones, prices are only available on request, and we can only imagine they're exorbitant.

The Tale Of An iPhone Fanboy Who Fell In Love With The Galaxy Note

2012-04-14T04:42:00.002-07:00

You may remember a short time ago we gave you our thorough and incredibly comprehensive review on the Samsung Galaxy Note. Well, I was cruising by our sister site, iSource today, and an article caught my eye. Apparently, one of the writers on iSource decided to do the unthinkable and review the Samsung Galaxy Note. “I know exactly how this is going to turn out,” I thought to myself. “This guy is going to talk about how awful the Note is, and how it didn't even hold a candle to the iPhone,” but boy was I wrong.

Turns out the writer, Brandon, really gave the Galaxy Note a fair shot, living with the device for a full week. To his credit, he not only provided valid points on the Note's shortcomings, but also gave it praise when it was due. Mainly, the Note's S Pen and size, the device's killer features. Towards the end of his review, he actually talks about how he went back to the AT&T store to return the Note after a defect, and back to his beloved iPhone. No surprise there. It's been often said that iPhone fanboys are blinded by their love for all things Apple.

But, in a stunning twist of events, after returning to his iPhone, Brandon discovered that the teeny, tiny little phone just didn't cut it anymore. The Galaxy Note spoiled him with it's huge 5.3-inch display (an entire iPhone — case and all — couldn't even match it's size) and handy stylus. He went back to the store once again, and switched back to the Galaxy Note. Bet you didn't see that one coming, huh?

Now, I guess you could say Brandon isn't a true “Android convert.” He simply fell in love with the Note's hardware and will most likely be returning to iOS if/when they can slap a bigger screen on it. But after reading his review, I'm starting to wonder if maybe iOS fans don't really “hate” Android at all. It seems, for the most part, they merely prefer iOS and some of its polish over Android. Something I've noticed lately is that when it comes to Android fans, more than often we're the ones defined by our hatred of all things Apple/iOS and not necessarily our love of Android. Maybe, just maybe, if we put down the pitch forks and stop insulting iPhone users, simply encouraging them to give Android a try… Who knows. Maybe then we'd have more people who are actually willing to give Android a shot?

Panasonic KX-TG7740 and KX-TG7730 cordless phones feature Link2Cell, iPhone ringtone integration

2012-04-06T04:21:00.002-07:00

Sure, you may have long ditched the landline, but you could still be in the market for a cordless phone. Two such rigs from Panasonic let you tap your mob for a voice connection, with Link2Cell. The KX-TG7740 and KX-TG7730 can both sync up with Bluetooth-enabled phones, letting you make calls through your smartphone as it charges in another room. You can also transfer up to 3,050 address book entries to the household system, while this year's models add an extra layer of iPhone integration, enabling ringtone matching and transfer - you'll now be able to hear that iOS jingle through any connected handset. Both models also include the standard gamut of features, including talking caller ID, call block for pre-programed numbers and a handset locator. The 7730 series ships with three handsets for $100 (TG-7733S), two handsets for $80 (7732S) or a single handset for $60 (7731S). Likewise, the 7740 adds a dial pad to the base, and is available with five handsets for $150 (7745S), three for $110 (7743S), two for $90 (7742S) or one for $70 (7741S).

Is the iPhone fragmented? iOS adoption measured against Android

2012-04-06T04:20:00.002-07:00



The iPhone's unprecedented success stems from the combination of multiple factors, not the least of which are Apple's industry-leading design prowess and its ability to make software that appeals to enthusiasts and mass-market users alike. The culture and hype surrounding Apple products doesn't hurt either, of course. Where the overall experience is concerned, Apple wisely created a scenario that gives it control of both hardware and software, removing carriers from the equation to an extent and ensuring the end user enjoys the experience Apple envisions without any substantial impediments. Despite this ideal scenario, some industry watchers maintain that fragmentation is unavoidable to some degree, and this issue exists in the iOS ecosystem just as it does with Android. In the case of Google's mobile operating system, a number of factors cause fragmentation. For one thing, Android is open source and key partners such as Samsung, HTC and LG modify the OS in a number of ways. While proprietary OS enhancements do not necessarily have a direct impact where fragmentation is concerned, they do slow the development process at the vendor level, thus increasing the amount of time users must wait to receive updates. Industrial and graphic designer Chris Sauve recently published an in-depth analysis of Android fragmentation, and he determined that while Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was unveiled in late 2011 and Android 5.0 Jelly Bean is coming later this year, 2012 is actually the year of Gingerbread, which was unveiled 15 months ago in late 2010. Conversations surrounding whether or not iOS is fragmented date back several years and persist to this day, and Sauve revisited the issue of fragmentation in March. This time, however, he looked at the issue as it may or may not apply to Apple's mobile platform. Using data points obtained from 50 different mobile software developers, Sauve analyzed iOS version adoption over the past 21 months since iOS 3.0 was introduced. He also looked at iOS adoption relative to each version's launch to see how quickly each build was adopted by end users. Finally, this data was plotted against Sauve's earlier Android adoption data. Complaints of fragmentation in Apple's mobile ecosystem were most prominent in 2010, and iOS 3.0′s adoption rate shows us why. Since then, however, the adoption rate of Apple's major new OS builds has been remarkable. “iOS 5 captured approximately 75% of all iOS users in the same amount of time it took Gingerbread to get 4% of all Android users,” Sauve wrote in his analysis on pxldot. “Even more astounding is that 15 weeks after launch iOS 4 was at 70% and iOS 5 was at 60% while Ice Cream Sandwich got to just 1% share at the same age. If there were any question as to whether iOS had a less fragmented ecosystem than Android, the past two charts provide a fairly definitive answer.” Sauve continued, “iOS devices have, on average, reached 10% version share 300 times faster than Android versions, 30% share 19 times faster, and 50% share 7 times faster.” The adoption rate of future major iOS builds will likely be even more impressive thanks to the introduction of an over-the-air update mechanism Apple added in iOS 5. With iCloud backing up data, on-device notifications when updates become available, and the requirement of connecting to a PC to update no longer a factor, the major barriers standing between mass-market users and software updates have been eliminated. This ensures that users have access to the most current iOS features as quickly as possible, and it also means developers don't need to worry about old iOS versions as much while they shift focus to new builds.

iPhone arrives at nTelos and Alaska Communications on April 20, $50 cheaper than at the big carriers

2012-04-05T07:16:00.002-07:00

No, the iPhone still isn't on T-Mobile. Also, current-gen models probably won't ever be, thanks to the simple fact that they wouldn't work with TMo's HSPA network (bands are to blame).

That, however, didn't stop Apple's latest mobile darlings from making it all the way to nTelos and Alaska Communications. These are two regional carriers (the former operating in Virginia and the surrounding states) that you probably haven't heard of until now.

Well, even they get to carry the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, following in the footsteps of small(ish) carrier C Spire. Neither nTelos nor Alaska Communications have anywhere near 1 million customers, but they're clearly trying to attract some attention with this iPhone play. Good for them. At this point, it really seems like T-Mobile is the only carrier in the entire US that doesn't have iPhones on offer, so that's a problem for the magenta network.

Anyway, both nTelos and Alaska Communications have the same pricing listed for the iPhones (save for a one penny difference which we'll ignore).

The iPhone 4S can be yours starting at $150 for the 16 GB model. Each bump in capacity is $100 more expensive, just as you'd expect. The iPhone 4 8 GB will be available for $50. The full details are available here for nTelos and here for Alaska Communications, in case you're interested.

iPhone app tells if building is safe as a tsunami shelter

2012-04-05T07:15:00.006-07:00

Is your building tall enough to offer adequate shelter in a tsunami? That is a question that is worth asking, especially when you live in a country like Japan, where earthquakes are normal occurrences, and there is always a danger of a tsunami should the next big one hit. Nabla-Zero, a Japanese IT company that specializes in disaster prevention, has decided to do something about the situation by conjuring a free application for the iPhone which is capable of measuring whether a building is tall enough to deliver the right kind of shelter from a tsunami.

Known as the "AR TSUNAMI-CAMERA", it will rely on the iPhone's camera as well as the power of augmented reality to transpose a virtual image of a wave up to 25-meters against the actual scenery. Majority of the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake stood anywhere from 3 to 10 meters in height. This app was developed after local governing bodies approached Nabla-Zero, and will see action in disaster prevention education programs in public schools. There are plans to roll out an Android-powered version. BlackBerry who?

iPhone 5 Coming In June, Rogers Offers HTC One X for Pre-Order & White Samsung Galaxy Note Heading to Bell

2012-04-05T07:15:00.003-07:00

iPhone 5 Coming In June, Says Foxconn Employee

According to a Foxconn recruiter, we'll see a new iPhone in June of this year. The recruiter suggested the iPhone would be headed our way this summer in an interview with TV Tokyo's "World Business Satellite" broadcast Monday. In the interview, a reporter asked the recruiter how many people the company was looking to hire, and he answered "We're looking for 18,000 employees ... for the fifth-generation phone."

Mashable

Rogers Offers HTC One X for Pre-Order in Canada, $170 on Contract Through April 30th

You never thought that Canada would let the UK steal all of that gorgeous HTC One X limelight, did you? While Rogers can't compete with the phone's April 5th arrival at T-Mobile and Orange in the land of tea and crumpets, the Canadian carrier is currently offering HTC's flagship device for pre-order. Now through April 30th, customers may pick up the dual-core Snapdragon S4, LTE version of the handset for $170 on a three-year plan.

Engadget

White Samsung Galaxy Note Heading to Bell on April 10th

"The Samsung Galaxy Note (4G LTE), the do-it-all superphone that gives clients the freedom to capture, create and share like never before is now available in white." The prices will stay the same - $199.99 on a 3-year and $729.99 outright - but the launch date seems to be a few days later. Bell has this scheduled to launch on April 10th.

MobileSyrup

European Regulators Probe Motorola Following Microsoft, Apple Complaints

European regulators are investigating Motorola Mobility for allegedly overcharging Microsoft and Apple for use of its industry standard patents in their products, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Both companies filed complaints with the European Commission, which is now conducting the investigation that will look to determine whether Motorola failed to honor its "irrevocable commitments" made to standard-setting organizations.

BGR