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iPhone 4S review

iPhone 4S review

After over a year, Apple has released the follow-up to the iPhone 4, and its called the iPhone 4S. What do you do with your phone? If you're like most Americans, you make some calls, take some photos, and send some texts. Maybe you kill time with some games, check Facebook or Twitter, and look things up on the Web. If that's you, then the iPhone 4S ($199-$399 with contract on Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T) is your phone: it's the best cameraphone in the US, the fastest Web-browsing phone, and one that has finally licked the iPhone's calling problems. It's so good, that it's our current Editors' Choice on Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T.

Click to continue reading iPhone 4S review


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iOS 5 review

iOS 5 review

Edit: Be sure to check out our iPhone 4S review as well!

Back in June, I detailed the nine features that I wanted Apple to include in iOS 5—features that would fix obvious OS flaws and expand upon its already rock-solid foundation. Days later, at WWDC 2011, Apple revealed a handful of the "200 new features" that would comprise Cupertino's latest mobile operating system—many of which were what I and droves of other iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users had desired for some time. Fast forward to today: iOS 5 is now here, and it surpasses iOS 4 with its overhauled alerts and notification system, wireless syncing, the ability for users to activate iPads without first connecting them to a Mac or PC, and many other much-welcomed features. No operating system—be it mobile or desktop—is without flaws, but Apple iOS 5 manages to keep the dings to a minimum and retains its place as the best phone and tablet operating system. Note: iOS 5 is only compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch 3rd Generation, iPod touch 4th gen, iPad, and iPad 2.

Now, let's get to the review, shall we?

Click to continue reading iOS 5 review


iOS 5 now available for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

Apple iOS 5

Right on time, Apple has release iOS 5 to the masses, and it's now available for your downloading pleasure for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, the iPad, and the third- and fourth-generation iPod touch. iOS 5 brings with it a bunch of new features, including iMessage, iCloud, Notification Center, Twitter integration, and much more. Plug your iOS device in, and use iTunes to check for updates, and you'll be well on your way. Also, this may be the last time you'll need to tether a cable to your device to update, as iOS 5 also introduces over-the-air updates. Enjoy the new hotness!


Apple sells over 1 million iPhone 4S pre-orders in 24 hours

1 million iPhone 4s preorders

This morning Apple announced that it had sold over 1 million iPhone 4S smartphones within the first 24 hours that they were available for pre-order. No matter how you look at it, this is a monstrous number, and crushes last year's iPhone 4 figures, which were "only" 600,000 on the first day. These 1 million pre-orders obviously don't include all the folks who'll be lining up at Apple, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint locations this Friday to buy the iPhone 4S directly. The device goes on sale at retail locations at 8:00 am on October 14th.

This is a shout-out to all the media who were calling the iPhone 4S underwhelming and disappointing--apparently over a million consumers disagree.


Confirmed: Sprint offering unlimited data on iPhone 4, iPhone 4S

Sprint logoOne of the big news items coming out of Apple's Let's Talk iPhone event yesterday was that Sprint is finally going to be carrying the iPhone. In fact, not only will the iPhone 4S be available on the nation's third-largest carrier, but the $99 iPhone 4 will also be sold as well. Today we get news that Sprint has confirmed that it'll be offering unlimited data plans.

“We will be offering the benefit of our unlimited plans that start at just $69.99,” said spokeswoman Michelle Leff Mermelstein. Sprint’s $69.99 plan includes unlimited data and 450 voice minutes as well as unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling. Unlimited calling and data costs $99 a month.

This makes Sprint the only US carrier to currently offer the iPhone alongside an unlimited data plan, as both Verizon and AT&T have caps in place for anyone who isn't grandfathered in on an unlimited plan. If you're wanted to pick up a new iPhone and want to make sure you've got unlimited data, Sprint's looking might fine right now.


How to trade in your iPhone for cash and cover the cost of the iPhone 4S!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Hot Deals,

Trade in iPhone

Now that the iPhone 4S has been announced, we figured we'd share how you can get cash for your old model that you can use to put towards the cost of the new one. Did you know that, in most cases, you can get more for your iPhone than what you originally paid for it (if it's a recent model?) The reason is that you likely bought your device with a two-year contract, but when you sell it, the buyer is getting it contract free. For example, Amazon trade-in is offering me $342.50 for my like-new $299 32 GB iPhone 4 that I own. That's enough money to upgrade to a 32 GB iPhone 4S, and is just a little under what I'd need to get a 64 GB model.

Sound good? Here are a few services you can use to trade in your old iPhone (or any other gadgets!):

Gazelle: The easiest of the bunch, they'll even send you a pre-paid label and box to ship your stuff in!
Amazon Trade-in: Offers higher trade-in value than Gazelle, but only pays you in Amazon credit

Of course, there's always eBay and Craigslist, but Gazelle and Amazon are two ways to get quick, guaranteed cash for your old stuff.


iPhone 4 now $99

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Hot Deals,

iPhone 4 $99

Amongst all the other news from the Apple Let's Talk iPhone event, centered on the new iPhone 4S, is the fact that the iPhone 4 has dropped in price to $99 with contract. Yeah, we know that the iPhone 4S is now the new hotness, but seriously--the iPhone 4 at $99 is still a fantastic phone. Oh, and if you're on Sprint, you'll be able to get both the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 soon as well!


iPhone 4S: A5 chip, 8MP camera, 1080p, Siri, available October 14th

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,

iPhone 4S

Today (after accidentally outing it) Apple announced the iPhone 4S. The device is the follow-up to the massively popular iPhone 4, and features an internal overhaul while keeping the same iPhone 4 external design. So, what's changed? First, the iPhone 4S is rocking an A5 processor, which makes it 2x faster in performance, and 7x faster graphics performance than the iPhone 4. The camera is upgraded to 8 megapixels, and records in 1080p video.

The iPhone 4S has two cell antennas, and will intelligently switch between the two on the fly. Speaking of antennas, the 4S is also a world phone, supporting both GSM and CDMA networks. The device can download data at about 14.4Mbps, which is double the iPhone 4 and its 7.2Mbps speeds - AT&T actually says this is 4G speed, but we won't get into all that.

The iPhone 4S will be available in black and white on October 14th, and will cost $199 for 16 GB, $299 for 32 GB, and $399 for the 64 GB model, a first for the iPhone. Another first? In addition to AT&T and Verizon, now Sprint customers can get in on the love as well.


iOS 5 to be released October 12th

iOS 5 October 12

Apple just announced that iOS 5 will be released, as a free download, on October 12th. The update will be available for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad, iPad 2, and third- and fourth-generation iPod touch!


Apple prematurely announces iPhone 4S launching October 14, updated iPod nano

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,

iPhone 4S Japan

It looks like Apple Japan has let the cat out of the bag prior to the official announcements set for this morning. Expect Apple to announce the iPhone 4S, an upgraded iPhone 4 with better camera, improved GPS, faster A5 processor, and the new Assistant feature. In addition, it looks like the iPod nano will get updated as well. The iPhone 4S will launch on October 14th!


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