iPad Mini event confirmed for October, name should stick

Those looking forward to Apple announcing their much-anticipated iPad Mini alongside the iPhone 5 on Sept. 12 shouldn’t get their hopes up until October.

AllThingsD, the technology blog of the Wall Street Journal, has confirmed rumors that Apple would announce its smaller, 7.85-inch screen tablet at a second media event in October. An actual date has yet to be confirmed.


“Apple’s next generation iPhone and its so-called ‘iPad Mini‘ will debut at two separate events this fall, rather than a single one as has been widely speculated, according to several sources…,” according to the report. “Only after the next generation iPhone is out the door and on sale will Apple announce the smaller iPad it’s been working on. That device, which is expected to have a display of less than eight inches, will be uncrated at a second special event, which sources said is currently scheduled for October.”

That report lines up with speculation from Blorge that Apple wouldn’t release both highly-anticipated products at the same time.

After that report published, the Japanese blog Macotakara, claims that the actual name of the tablet — iPad Mini — will indeed be the name of the device.

According to Macotakara’s Asian source, the smaller iPad will have “iPad Mini” printed on the back on the device.

Apple threw everyone for a loop when it released its third-generation iPad as simple the “New iPad.” Most rumor sites assumed it would be named the iPad 3, following Apple’s product-naming history.

It’s still up for debate if the iPhone 5 will be called just that or simply called the new iPhone.

The iPad Mini is expected to feature a 7.85-inch non-Retina display and be significantly thinner than Apple’s current, 10-inch iPad.

While there has been much debate around whether or not Apple should release a smaller iPad, the tablet will direct completely against Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook Tablet and Google’s Nexus 7.

If you’re wondering what an iPad Mini could be used for, make sure to check out our 11 perfect uses for Apple’s smaller tablet.

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Should Apple delay iPad Mini release after iPhone 5?

Will the iPad Mini be released alongside the much-anticipated iPhone 5?

While tech geeks would love hitting up their local Apple Store to score both products on the same time, some are making the argument that it would be in Apple’s best interest to hold its smaller tablet for a later date.


As of now, Apple is expected to announce both products on Sept. 12 and it’s all but confirmed that the iPhone 5 will be released Sept 21.

According to the International Business Times, Apple wouldn’t be able to control the hype around two products being released on the same day.

“Think of it this way: Apple Stores, both physical and online, shut down every time Apple releases a new product. Could you imagine if Apple tried to organize lines for not just one, but two major product launches happening simultaneously?

“If Apple released the iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini on the same date, it would be an absolute disaster, especially for customers. Lines are already out the door and around the building for these products individually; if half of those people are there for iPhone and half for iPad Mini, and a handful of people are there to buy both products, there may not be a way for Apple to clearly organize the crowds, even if both products are ready to be sold.”

Additionally, from a public relations standpoint, Apple would lose a significant amount of ground.

We already have a good idea on what it will look like on iPhone 5 day — Sept. 21. Lines will be out the door and the media will snap that photo of the first person to walk out of the Apple Store with an iPhone 5.

Apple wants that day to repeat itself — and it will if it releases the iPad Mini a few weeks later.

My guess? Apple will say preorders for the iPhone 5 will start Sept. 12 and be released on the Sept. 21, but the iPad Mini will be available sometime in October. Apple likes to keep release dates vague to keep people like me blogging about it.

As a result, customers won’t be unhappy if they are unable to buy either of the devices.

The iPad Mini is set to be this year’s “must-have” item on everyone’s holiday shopping list.

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iPad Mini: 11 Perfect uses for Apple’s smaller tablet

When it begins to feel a lot like Christmas, you may be dreaming of an iPad Mini.

Reports out today claim that Apple will begin volume production of its new, smaller tablet in September, just in time for the holidays.


“Supply volume of Apple’s 7.85-inch iPad is estimated to reach four million units per month starting in September in order to prepare for demand from year-end holidays, according to sources from the upstream supply chain,” Digitimes reports.

While Digitimes doesn’t have the best track record for product rumors, it’s safe assume that Apple is planning on releasing its iPad Mini sometime this year and right around Christmas would make perfect sense.

How well will the iPad Mini do on the market? What will people use it for? We have been wondering the same thing.

Here are 11 perfect uses for the up-and-coming iPad Mini:
An iPad is the perfect Christmas gift

If rumors of a holiday release hold true, the iPad Mini could very well be the number one device on everyone’s shopping list. And if you’re on the giving end of this exchange, there are two positives: First is the price. The iPad Mini is expected to be aggressively priced between $200 and $250. Secondly? The receiver of the gift will love you forever.
Your new e-reader isn’t a Kindle or a Nook

Believe it or not, there are current iPad owners out there who also own a Kindle or Nook strictly for reading. Some may argue that the biggest reason for this is because they prefer reading on the e-ink that those e-readers provide. But the bigger reason is the size. The current iPad becomes cumbersome when using as a reading device for an extended period of time. Being that the iPad Mini is expected to feature a 7.85-inch screen and be considerably thinner, reading can finally become comfortable on an Apple tablet.
Is the iPad Mini your next Apple TV remote?

There are rumors swirling that Apple plans to announce a major update to their Apple TV lineup — including the announcement of a dedicated television set that would either run on AT&T’s or Verizon’s cable service. The other half of that announcement is an Apple TV set-top box that would allow you to run your current cable provider through the Apple interface. Where does the iPad Mini come into play here? It would serve as your remote control. Say so long to the days of the tiny Apple TV remote, scrolling around on an onscreen keyboard that makes you want to scream. Your iPad Mini would allow you search for TV shows simply by typing on your tablet keyboard. At 7.85-inch screen, it makes for a comfortable advanced remote control.
The iPad Mini is the ultimate news reading tablet

We posed the following question earlier this month on Blorge: Will the iPad save the newspaper industry? That’s a tough question to answer, but the iPad Mini has the potential to be a great device to consume news — especially for commuters. Expect Apple to release some kind of news pagination software, similar to iBooks Author, specifically for news organizations that would allow local newspapers to easily go digital. If local newspapers can easily embrace going digital, using the iPad Mini as the medium, expect big things. I can see the ad already: Subscribe for two years and receive a free iPad Mini. Expect promotions galore.
The iPad Mini (with 4G) is perfect for commuters

A more expensive version of the iPad Mini will include 4G LTE cellular service, making it the top tablet for commuters — especially women — who like to only carry their purse while on-the-go. Commuters use their iPad today, but not as much as Apple may have expected. The tablet is quite large for commuting. By shrinking down to a 7.85-inch screen and thinner body, that subway or bus ride could become a bit more tech-savvy for you.
iPad Minis will make its way into hotels, restaurants and retail stores

One of the biggest pushes in the hospitality and customer service industries is implementing some kind of tablet technology and doing so seamlessly. Hotels want to eliminate their front desk altogether and approach guests when they walk in, hand them a tablet and have them sign their name on the room agreement with their finger. Restaurants want a way to offer their menus on a digital platform, so they can easily update from day-to-day without wasting paper. At half the price than the current iPad, the iPad Mini could soon find itself into both of these industries. Plus, the iPad Mini is a more appropriate size for dinner menus that Apple’s current tablet. And retail stores would love to check people out from anywhere in the store. Carrying an iPad Mini is much more comfortable than a full-size iPad.
Is the iPad Mini a child’s first tablet?

Unless brought up in a wealthy family, it’s pretty rare for a child (12 years and younger) to own an iPad. At $500, it’s not worth risking being broken or lost. But the iPad does offer a ton of genuinely good education apps that parents will see a lot of benefit in. For $250, the iPad Mini could be a great education tool to give to a child.
More iPads will make their way into the classroom

Following up on the last point — not only will more children now own an iPad Mini, but schools will also take advantage of the cheaper price point. The iPad is quickly becoming an educator’s favorite tool. There are plenty of great applications that supplement lesson plans and truly makes learning interactive. At half the price, schools will have a better chance of getting this type of technology into the classroom.
Trick out your car with an in-dash iPad Mini

This may seem like a bit of stretch, but there are people out there who have installed an in-dash, full-size iPad into their car. A 10-inch screen in a car is not only a huge distraction (7.85-inch may not be much better…) but it also takes up a ton of space. The iPad Mini could be the ultimate way to truly “pimp your ride.
The iPad Mini makes a perfect second monitor for your laptop

If you’re an 11” MacBook Air user that also owns an iPad, it doesn’t come as a surprise to you that your tablet practically has the same screen real estate as your laptop. If people saw you using both devices in a coffee shop, they might think you’re overusing technology a bit. But if you’re using an iPad Mini as a second monitor, I don’t think it would look that bad. In fact, it would actually be the perfect size for a second monitor.
A smaller iPad works better as a photo frame

One of the fun features of the iPad is that it can double as a digital photo frame. If you’re throwing a party, you set your photo album, set it up on a table in your home and your guests can see a bunch of photos. This might also be a stretch, but an iPad Mini is actually closer to the size of a normal photo frame, making for a more natural photo-viewing experience at your next party.

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Why the iPad Mini could outsell the iPhone 5

The iPad Mini is the underdog in a sales race against the iPhone 5
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Both of Apple’s latest and greatest iOS devices will certainly be the talk of the tech industry come next month when they are both announced. While it appears the iPhone 5 will be released on Sept. 21, it’s unclear whether or not the new, smaller iPad will be released alongside of it.


It’s safe to assume that it will be released sometime in the end of the third quarter or early fourth quarter, but the bigger question is: Which one will be more successful?
Can the iPad Mini outsell the iPhone 5?

When put head-to-head the iPad Mini is David and the iPhone 5 is Goliath. The hype around the iPhone 5 has been huge — possibly the biggest around any Apple device announcement — but the iPad Mini has made strides in the past week.

The folks at iMore and 9to5 Mac gave us beautiful renderings of what the smaller iPad could look like. It won’t seem miniature like a Kindle Fire or Google Nexus 7, rather, it will be feel better in our hands.

The iPad Mini is expected to have a 7.85-inch screen (about two inches less than the current iPad) and be significantly thinner. It will resemble a larger iPod Touch.
Expect iPad trade-ins galore

There will be three groups of people who go out and buy the iPad Mini. This is the first type.

While everyone loves their iPad, they admit it’s not always the most comfortable tablet. It’s fairly big and heavy, which can make extended reading and moving watching a drag. If you’re a commuter, you want the least amount of weight as possible. A smaller iPad accomplishes this.

There will be many eBay sales of the original iPad, iPad 2′s and even the current-generation iPad with Retina display. Once people experience how a smaller tablet feels in their hands, they will want one and won’t care about ditching their 10-inch model.
New tablet users will flock to the Apple Store

One of the biggest barriers to buying an iPad for many people is its price tag. When the iPad Mini is announced it will be aggressively priced between $200 and $250, with the potential of a larger-storage iPad Mini ringing in around $300. That’s a price that will easily compete against the likes of Amazon, Google and Barnes & Noble.

New tablet users will want to get their hands on the iPad Mini more than an iPhone 5. In fact, I believe the iPad Mini’s largest market of users will come from this category.

Users who aren’t using an iPad right now may not be the most tech-savvy, or they could never justify spending $500 on a device that doesn’t allow them to accomplish basic tasks that say a netbook could do. When the iPad Mini is announced, it will be advertised as the perfect tablet for the person on the go, the avid reader and especially for women, who will love being able to quickly throw it in their purse.
Loyal and crazy Apple fans will just want to buy an iPad Mini

If you have the money to spend, then why not? That’s what many Apple users will be saying when they go out and order an iPad Mini. These are the people who will also go out and buy an iPhone 5, already own an iMac, MacBook and a Retina iPad, but they can never have enough.

They’ve already justified the reason of their purchase and can’t wait to be seen on the subway or in the coffee shop with their shiny new device.

These are the people that make people hate Apple people. But more power to them.
Other reasons the iPad Mini could win

One of the last possibilities for the iPad Mini is its integration with a potential Apple TV announcement.

Apple is rumored to be releasing a dedicated television set that will solely run off AT&T and Verizon’s cable service in addition to a dedicated TV set-top device that would allow the user to pick its own cable provider.

The idea is that the iPad would be fully-intrgrated with the TV and even serve as its remote control. The Apple TV service would include a cloud-based DVR that would allow users to watch their on any of their iOS devices — and possible even on the web through iCloud.com.

If the idea performs as well its sounds, many people would love to have an iPad Mini as their remote control. Wouldn’t it look nice on your coffee table?

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Will the iPad Mini save the newspaper industry?

one of the goals when Apple released its popular iPad tablet was to help save the newspaper industry and journalism as a whole.

While strides were made, the iPad wasn’t the savior of the industry.


Could the iPad Mini be the solution?

At the time of the iPad’s 2010 release, newspapers across the country were struggling to stay afloat. Advertisement sales quickly crashed and smaller papers struggled to create an online presence. The iPad didn’t fix any of those problems.

The main problem was that the iPad starts at $500, essentially making it a luxury item in many markets.

If rumors prove to be true about the iPad Mini — a 7.85-inch version of the popular tablet — being priced between $200 and $250, then it becomes a device more easily available to the public. With a larger amount of people using the iPad as a result, there would be an opportunity to sell and push more content from news organizations to the iPad.

Maybe it could even save some current organizations and papers.

Last month, News Corp.’s made-for-iPad newspaper The Daily laid off a third of it staff, bringing down the total number of employees from 170 to 120. The digital newspaper needs about 500,000 subscribers (you can subscribe for 99-cents weekly or $40 for the year), but last fall, it reported that it only had about 100,000. It’s unclear how many people were actively reading the paper.

A more affordable iPad could be the answer for The Daily. If they convince the iPad users that Apple is going to gain through the iPad Mini that their content is compelling enough and can bring back that nostalgic feeling of waking up and reading a newspaper every morning, maybe they could hire back some folks.

The idea had to cross late Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ mind before he passed away last October. According to recent media reports, Jobs was receptive to the idea of a smaller iPad, in order to compete with the likes of the Kindle Fire and future Google tablets.

Apple’s current senior vice president of Internet Software and Services said he believes there’s a strong market for a 7-inch tablet.

“I expressed this to Steve several times since Thanksgiving and he seemed very receptive the last time. I found email, books, Facebook, and video very compelling on a 7-inch. Web browsing is definitely the weakest point, but still usable,” Cue said in an email to Apple executives.

Will the iPad Mini re-open the door for the newspaper industry?

The heavily rumored device is expected to be announced Sept. 12 and released nine days later on Sept. 21, alongside Apple’s iPhone 5 and a new mobile operating system, iOS 6.

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iPhone 5: How to get Apple’s much-anticipated device on opening day

We know more about Apple’s iPhone 5 than we should and now there’s only one thing left to do: Go out and buy the device.

Apple has had its fair share of major product releases, but maybe none have come with the same hype as its iPhone 5. Making sure you get your next-generation iPhone on opening day can be as easy as following a few steps.

Have your credit cards ready on announcement day

The iPhone 5 will be announced on Sept. 12 at a major media event. Once that event is completed, you’ll be able to go onto Apple’s online store and pre-order your iPhone and have it shipped to you on Sept. 21, the expected release date.

You have to be quick though.

Apple’s online store will be jammed packed with people doing the same thing as you, so it’s important to be one of the first. Simply refreshing your browser may not be enough either as browsers could cache Apple’s website.

My advice? Have two computers going (or a computer and an iPad) to ensure you can place your order. There’s a good chance Apple will need to change its “ship by date” on announcement day to a 3-4 week waiting period.
Purchase the iPhone 5 ahead of time on eBay

If money is no object to you and you’ll do anything to get your hands on an iPhone 5, then eBay is the way to go.

Quite soon, eBay sellers will start placing auctions that allow you to bid early and guarantee you get an iPhone 5. Expect the price to be marked up considerably, however (more than $1,000).

Like i said, if money isn’t an issue, this is the way to go.

As a tip, make sure to post your used iPhone 4 or 4S on eBay on Sept. 11. Right now, used models are going for as high as $400. If you don’t mind a cellphone contract, you can actually make money off selling your old iPhone and buying the iPhone 5.
Head to an Apple Retail Store early on Sept. 21

Everyone says they would never wait in line for a product release, but you haven’t lived until you’ve woken up early and waited outside of a shopping mall to get a hot product on day one. The iPhone 5 will be one of those hot products.

If you have to wait outside (check with mall security to see when they’ll let people inside a day or two before), prepare for rain or any kind of bad weather. Bring some coffee and a box of donuts to share with people around you. You meet some great people at these events, which makes it more fun.
What are your tips for getting the iPhone 5 on its release date?

Share it with us below.

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iPhone 5: 11 Apps that will look stunning on a taller screen

One of the biggest differences between Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone 5 and current iPhone models is the design.

The iPhone 5 will feature a taller, 4-inch screen, but retain the same width as the earlier models.


Apple has made it easy for developers to adapt their current apps to fit on this taller screen, which in return, should improve the usability of those apps. In fact, some apps and features will improve significantly with the larger screen of the iPhone 5.
Angry Birds

You guessed it — the iPhone 5 will drastically improve mobile gaming. Not only will it be significantly faster (quad-core A6 processor and 1 GB of RAM) but the larger screen will improve games like Angry Birds.

Playing Angry Birds on the iPad is great because you have more than enough room to pull back the slingshot and launch your favorite colored birds. On the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, it’s quit common to have your finger slip off the screen and launch an Angry Bird unintentionally.

The iPhone 5′s larger screen will make sure you have more than enough room.
FaceTime

Does FaceTime actually count as app? For this feature it does.

FaceTime is already great on the iPhone 4 and 4S, but the iPhone 5 will make it even bigger. You’ll have more screen space so everyone you’re chatting with doesn’t appear to be trapped inside a small box.
Mail, Safari & Calendar

I had to lump all of Apple’s native apps into one category because the iPhone 5 is going to make all of these significantly better.
Mail will now include a longer scrolling list of messages (at least six to eight messages).
Web browsing will be easier, especially for longer reads.
Calendar will be about the same in vertical mode, but much easier to use in horizontal mode.
Contacts

Ok, so we didn’t lump all of Apple’s native apps together.

Contacts isn’t the most exciting app out there, but with a taller screen on the iPhone 5, we can now see more of the upcoming fields instead of the screen automatically scrolling down for us.
Instagram (and all camera-related apps)

While we can also expect a much-improved camera on the iPhone 5, taking those photos using a larger screen should help immensely.

We may even expect Apple to include a wider lens on the next-generation iPhone, which would allow those party shots to include everyone in attendance.
The Weather Channel

If you’re a weather junkie, you’re going to love looking at radar on the go with the iPhone 5.

The larger screen will allow you to see that major storm rolling in with minimal zooming out.
GarageBand

Unless you have tiny fingers, GarageBand for the iPhone might be Apple’s most worthless app out there.

Who is seriously going to create music on such a tiny screen?

While I’m still skeptical on how this app would really perform on any iPhone, a taller screen on the iPhone 5 should make this music-making app more user-friendly.
Newsstand

A show of hands — who honestly reads magazines on their iPhone? It’s so tiny and requires so much pinching and zooming, that it’s difficult to see how the Newsstand app even made it onto the iPhone.

With the iPhone 5, however, Newsstand magazine and newspaper designers now have more room to make content easier to read and consume.
Messages

With iMessages becoming even bigger with the recent incorporation of it into Mac OS X Mountain Lion, expect a better messages experience on the iPhone 5 — especially in horizontal mode.

Additionally, with more room vertically, you’ll be able to look back at old message threads much easier.
The iPhone 5 is coming this September.

The iPhone 5 is expected to be announced Sept. 12 at an Apple media event and released nine days later on Sept. 21. Preorders will begin on the 12th.

The new iPhone will be released alongside its new operating system, iOS 6.

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iPhone 5, iOS 6 teased with recent Facebook app update

A much-needed update to the Facebook app for iOS gives us a glimpse into how we’ll use the popular social network on the iPhone 5 and iOS 6.

Facebook updated its app today, making the often-buggy experience much snappier and sleeker. The app was completely re-written for iOS by ditching HTML5-based and using Objective-C programming. The result is the app actually works.


“People have different expectations when it comes to using Facebook for iOS,” Mick Johnson, Facebook’s iOS mobile product manager, told MacRumors. “They expect a level of performance and speed that just wasn’t there.”

How does this relate to the iPhone 5, Apple’s highly anticipated next-generation iPhone?

The iPhone 5 will be released next month alongside its new operating system, iOS 6, which will have complete Facebook integration. That integration is also coming to Mac OS X Mountain Lion.

This update needed to happen because the iPhone 5 is expected to be the fastest smartphone on the planet upon release. It’s powered with a quad-core A6 processor and 1 GB of RAM. It doesn’t need a buggy Facebook app slowing it down.

The new Facebook app will be a major component of the integration with the iPhone 5.

We’ll receive notifications about posts on our Timelines, likes, recently tagged photos and more. But we’ll also be able to share more content on Facebook through the rest of the iPhone.

A better app was needed to ensure this release goes smoothly.

On first impression, the Facebook app is indeed much snappier. At first, it was (familiarly) quite slow. But after logging in and powering up, scrolling through the news feed was much smoother. Messages are more intuitive and “email” like. All and all, the app is significantly faster.

Apple’s iPhone 5 is expected to be announced Sept. 12 and released nine days later on Sept. 21. It will be completely redesign with a taller, 4-inch screen, guaranteeing that you’ll have a great Facebook experience on your iPhone.

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AT&T erupts on iPhone FaceTime charges, Twitter reacts

AT&T says it won’t charge customers to FaceTime on their iPhone if they have a Mobile Share plan.

And they weren’t messing around. As a result, Twitter erupted Wednesday night, lashing out at AT&T’s terse statement that was released today.


Their statement:

“AT&T’s plans for FaceTime will not violate either requirement. Our policies regarding FaceTime will be fully transparent to all consumers, and no one has argued to the contrary. There is no transparency issue here.

“Nor is there a blocking issue. The FCC’s net neutrality rules do not regulate the availability to customers of applications that are preloaded on phones. Indeed, the rules do not require that providers make available any preloaded apps. Rather, they address whether customers are able to download apps that compete with our voice or video telephony services. AT&T does not restrict customers from downloading any such lawful applications, and there are several video chat apps available in the various app stores serving particular operating systems.”

Mashable’s editorial that published Tuesday evening sparked the Twitter war.

“AT&T made it very clear today who is in charge,” the editorial reads. “In a terse, borderline condescending note, AT&T lectured some its customers for voicing their objections to the company’s new policy regarding Apple’s FaceTime app. The note is actually refreshingly honest and free of spin, offering a glance into how the company views itself and its relationship with the people who use its network.”

Of course, some of the Tweets don’t understand exactly what’s going on:

“AT&T making us pay four FaceTime? # Teamoovoo,” @Rose_FBG tweeted.

Others were more blunt.

“I f***ing hate AT&T.”

“AT&T is angry? You should see its customers. Oh, also AT&T is wrong.”

After Apple announced that it’s next-generation mobile operating system, iOS 6, will allow users to use FaceTime over 3G (or 4G), it finally gave us a way to video chat on the road and not be tied down to a wireless network.

AT&T says it’s limiting this feature to only Mobile Share customers “out of an overriding concern for the impact this expansion may have on our network and the overall customer experience.”

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iPhone 5 brings us life after the 30-pin connecter

Apple’s iPhone 5 gives us more than a larger screen, faster processor and sleeker design.

It moves us into life after the 30-pin connecter.


Since 2003, we’ve collected Apple’s famous white cord; USB plug on one end and 30 pins of goodness on the other. We struggled to fit all of those pins into dock connecter of our iPods, iPhones and iPads. We struggled to take it out. We filled our junk drawers with our 30-pin connecters and let them become tangled.

In fact, I went around my condo today and counted all of the iPhone 30-pin connectors I could find. How many? Nine — and doesn’t include the Griffin car charger in my vehicle.

These days are soon to be behind us.

iLounge published a leaked photo today of what looks like Apple’s next-generation charging cable that will premier with the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini.

The iPhone 5 will actually use 22 less pins than its predecessors and utilize an 8-pin connecter. With a greater focus on iCloud, all of those pins are no longer necessary. The only reason you’ll need the white cable now is to charge your iPhone.

The other reason that the iPhone 5 shrunk its dock connecter is to make room for the headphone jack, which moving from the top of the device to the bottom. That move will certainly be welcomed by those who listen to music with their iPhone in their pocket. Now they can easily pull up their iPhone and start using it right away, without having to flip it around.

It may not sound like a big deal, but it will be more convenient.

The iPhone 5 is expected to be announced Sept. 12 and released nine days later on Sept. 21. Preorder will be taken on the 12th.

Apple’s next-generation iPhone will feature a taller, 4-inch screen, slimmer body, two-tone metal back, 4G LTE, a quad-core A6 Processor and include 1 GB of RAM.

Prices are expected to stay at $199 for a 16 GB model with a two-year contract from your cellular provider.

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Is iPhone 5 Apple’s most-hyped product ever?

There is certainly a buzz around the iPhone 5, but is it Apple’s most hyped product of all time?

Photo leaks of parts emerge online almost daily, dozens upon dozens of digital mockups are published on various blogs and even financial analysts are calling it the biggest product upgrade in the history of all electronics.


Search iPhone 5 on Google right now and be prepared to sift through hundreds of thousands of blog posts dedicated to the next-generation iPhone. By the looks of things, you found this blog post by doing just that.

But the hype around this device may have made us forget about some of Apple’s other products that had us drooling on the edge of our seats. Let’s take a walk down memory lane:
The original iPhone

How could we forget 2007? It was the year that started it all. At the time, whenever you saw white earbuds plugged into a walker’s ears, you knew they had an iPod in their pocket. After the first iPhone was released, you weren’t sure anymore. Apple struck it rich with their popular music player, but the iPhone revolutionized the company. The iPhone 5 might do it again.
The original iPad

After the iPhone, Apple rumor sites began to work even harder. Because of the blogs that accurately predicted Apple’s tablet, we couldn’t wait to hear the announcement. We weren’t sure what the name was going to be called (remember iSlate? iTab?), but we didn’t care. We were convinced that Apple would announce a product that would make re-imagine the tablet. And we were right.
The original Mac

From the moment the original Mac said hello at a keynote address and the iconic 1984 ad premiered during the Super Bowl, hype began to build around the future of home computing. Of course, this hype wasn’t amplified by social networks. Rather it was by word of mouth and press coverage. It’s hard to measure how big the hype was, compared to Apple’s products today, but it was certainly big for a tech industry that was emerging in the mid-80s.
Did we miss something?

Is the iPhone 5, in your opinion, Apple’s most hyped product of all time?

Apple’s next-generation iPhone is expected to be announced on Sept. 12. You’ll be able to preorder on that day, and receive your new iPhone nine days later on Sept. 21. The new iPhone will feature a taller, 4-inch screen and a thinner body.

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Leaked iPhone 5 parts coming together before September announcement

With each day passing, more parts of Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone 5 continue popping up across the Internet.

Today is no different.


The online repair firm iResQ has taken photos of the inside of Apple’s next-generation iPhone, showing off the new, smaller dock connecter and newly-located headphone jack. The photos show a larger grill for the speakers and gives a great glimpse into what the iPhone 5 will actually look like.

The repair blog claims to have had parts for both the iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini for awhile now, and have finally decided to share those with readers.

Apple’s iPhone 5 is expected to be announced Sept. 12 and released nine days later on Sept. 21.

The photos finally clear up how many pins Apple’s new dock connecter will actually have. We can finally say goodbye to the archaic 30-pin connecter and say hello to a brand new 8-pin connecter.

The other big difference in the iPhone 5 is the new placement of the headphone jack, moving from the top left of the iPhone to the bottom left. This design follows suit with the current iPod Touch.

“The docking port and headphone jack assembly seemed to fit perfectly inside of the frame,” the blog reports. “One of our technicians was even able to screw the assembly into the pre-aligned screw holes inside of the frame.”

The leaked parts is just another day in the land of iPhone 5 rumors.

For the past several weeks, everything from the actual glass screen to the backing, to the battery and now even more of the internals have popped up across the web — evidence that manufacturing of the iPhone 5 is in full force.

The iPhone 5 will be completely re-designed with a taller, 4-inch screen and a thinner body. It will also be quite powerful, featuring a quad-core A6 processor and 1 GB of RAM. Apple’s new iPhone will also run on the 4G LTE cellular network.

The internals of the iPhone 5 (left) compared to the iPhone 4S. Apple's iPhone 5 is expected to be announced next month.

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Outcome of Apple, Samsung lawsuit could determine future of smartphones

The outcome of the month-long legal battle between Apple and Samsung could determine more than which company receives a hefty payday.

It could also determine the future designs and features of all smartphones on the market.


The New York Times published a report Sunday looking into the test that nine jurors are expected to have this week, determining if Samsung will owe Apple $2.5 billion in damages for infringing on any of the company’s patents or if Apple will owe $422 million in a similar countersuit.

The Times reports that the outcome of the lawsuit will determine if the future of the smartphone will be erratically different from the iPhone, or if we’ll continue to see a line of iPhone copycats.

“I think what we’ll see is the diversification of designs in the marketplace if Apple wins,” Christopher Varani, an intellectual property lawyer said in an interview.

If Samsung wins, “Expect to see an awful lot of Apple knockoffs without fear of retribution,” Michael Gartenberg, an analyst for the technology research firm Gartner, told the Times.

As marketshare has shifted to Android-based smartphones, Apple is determined to prove that the success of companies like Samsung is due to Apple’s design and iOS.

The case, however, has opened the history books for the original iPhone, showing off photos of prototypes that look considerably different than the iPhone we’re used to today.

Multiple media reports have said that Samsung has continuously been on the defensive side of the fight during the month-long battle.

The entire legal battle could have been avoided altogether if Samsung would have agreed to a patent license that Apple offered at a rate of $30 per smartphone and $40 per tablet, which would have allowed Samsung to design their phone’s operating system around similar schematics of iOS, the mobile operating system for the iPhone and iPad.

With $2.5 billion on the line for Samsung to lose, that deal could haunt them this coming week in court.

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It’s safe to assume that the iPhone 5 is one of the most-hyped electronic devices in the past decade.

In fact, some financial analysts are even saying Apple’s next-generation iPhone could be the biggest updated electronics product in all of history.


The hype is real.

But here’s a thought: Could it flop? What if the hype for the iPhone 5 announcement is too big? What if Apple CEO Tim Cook presents the new iPhone and we aren’t impressed?

Here are 7 ways the iPhone 5 could totally bomb:
iPhone preorders won’t be taken right away

It seems to be a safe bet that the iPhone 5 will be announced on Sept. 12 and released nine days later on Sept. 21. On the day of its announcement, Apple is expected to open it online website for preorders of the new iPhone.

It seems to be a safe bet that this will happen, but if for some reason Apple decides to hold the release a month or two (this has been known to happen in the past for certain product releases due to supply issues) it would be a huge disappointment.
If AT&T or Verizon don’t allow for early upgrades

There are going to be quite a few people on the edge of being able to upgrade the to the iPhone 5 — especially those who are current iPhone 4 or 4S users.

If you bought an iPhone 4S last year, it seems inevitable that you won’t be able to upgrade, as you’ll only be a year into your two-year contract. If you purchased an iPhone 4 on its opening day, you’ll be ok because that released on June 24, 2010. But if you waited until October or November to pick up that iPhone 4, you may have to wait a month or two before upgrading.

Thankfully, AT&T has had a good reputation of allowing iPhone users to upgrade early. Verizon on the other hand has not. We likely won’t have a better idea on who will allow early upgrades until announcement day.
If the taller iPhone screen is too weird

Let’s face it, we’ve been calling for a bigger iPhone screen for sometime now, but what happens if we just don’t like it when it comes out?

We’re not talking about a bigger screen in both height and width — it’s just width. The iPhone 5 will be completely redesigned with the taller screen and a thinner body.

Again, I don’t think this will be a problem. While it may look odd at first, keeping the width of the iPhone the same should certainly fire up the muscle memory in our hands and give us something we’re familiar with.

In fact, I think we’re all going to enjoy the taller screen, especially when reading longer emails and web articles.
If the battery life isn’t improved

Battery life on the iPhone 5 is a legitimate concern. After seeing some leaked specs of the battery, it’s an improvement on the iPhone 4S battery, but not by much.

You must remember, however, that the iPhone 5 is significantly more powerful. It’s going to run on the battery-sucking 4G LTE cellular network, operate on a quad-core A6 processor and include a 1GB of RAM.

While the new iPhone will be powerful, it’s unclear whether or not it will have a stronger and longer battery life. This could be a problem for the road warrior.
If the iPad Mini isn’t announced alongside it

Only announcing the iPhone 5 at the Sept. 12 event would be a huge disappointment, especially for the tech bloggers and tech blog readers who are expecting Apple to also announce its new iPad Mini alongside the iPhone.

Apple tends to release things in threes and this could be the biggest three-device announcement in history. We can expect the iPhone 5, the iPad Mini and making a late run is an Apple TV announcement.
If supply can’t keep up with demand

It’s a safe bet that if you don’t preorder your iPhone 5 right away on announcement day, you’re going to have to either wait in line or wait a month or two before you can get your hands on one.

It’s unclear how long Apple has been manufacturing the iPhone 5, but if it is experiencing supply problems, it could be a problem for Apple. Those looking for a smartphone and who want the new iPhone may not wait and choose to go with Samsung’s Galaxy III.

Supply issues sometimes can work in a company’s favor because it shows the actual demand for a device. But if there isn’t enough supply for a long time, it could hurt the company.
If third party companies don’t create new charging adapters in time

Part of the iPhone 5’s new design is its smaller dock connecter, which is shrinking from the 30 pins we’re familiar with to somewhere between eight and 16 pins. Because the new iPhone will have stronger iCloud integration, it won’t need as many pins for syncing with a computer.

The only problem with that, however, is that loyal Apple users have piles upon piles of 30-pin chargers that we will have to start throwing away. Whichever third party accessory company releases the best and most affordable 8- to 16-pin charger should make out pretty well.
Did we miss anything?

Could the iPhone 5 be a total disappointment? It seems unlikely, but anything that is receiving this much hype has to be careful. Expectations are high, so it better deliver.

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