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Apple iPhone 5 blueprint schematics offered to case manufacturers

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Design,

iPhone 5 schematics

Apple is offering third-party case manufacturers precise blueprint schematics of the iPhone 5 to ensure they are able to make well-fitting cases and accessories. However, antsy case makers went ahead and made them based on leaked information obtained from iPhone distributors and manufacturers; some going as far as using 3D mockups of speculated designs. We are not sure if this is the first time that Apple has gone out of its way to accommodate case makers, but it sure is welcoming to see that users can play dress up without having to ask "does this case make my iPhone's butt look big?".

Read More | Apple (PDF)

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OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 looking to be a substantial update, here’s the feature list

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,

OS X 10.8.2 features

Apple is set to release OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 soon, and it's shaping up to be a pretty substantial update. Sure, there will be the typical bug fixes and optimizations, but we can also expect the long-awaited Facebook single sign on functionality, bringing sharing to (and notifications from) the social network built right in to OS X. The update will also bring the Power Nap feature to Late 2010 MacBook Air notebooks, phone number support to Messages, shared Reminders lists, the ability to add cards to iOS Passbook from your Mac, and plenty more. We've got the list right here:

Facebook

  • Single sign on for Facebook
  • Facebook as an option when sharing links and photos
  • Facebook friends' contact information and profile pictures in Contacts
  • Facebook notifications in Notification Center

There's plenty more, so hit the jump for the rest of the updates!

Click to continue reading OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 looking to be a substantial update, here’s the feature list


Apple discontinues the iPhone 3GS, moves iPhone 4 into free spot

iPhone 3GS discontinued

The iPhone 3GS is no more. With the announcement of the iPhone 5 came the information that the iPhone 4S would move down the line and sell for $99 with two-year contract, while the iPhone 4 takes the spot previously held by the 3GS, making it free with two-year contract. Don't count the 3GS out just yet though, as its final trick will occur on September 19, when iOS 6 is released with support for the discontinued smartphone.


The iPhone 5 bill of materials estimated to be $167.50

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,

iPhone 5 bill of materials

Analysts from TechInsights are estimating that the bill of hardware materials and electronic components of the iPhone 5 is around $167.50. That's a $35.00 jump from the iPhone 4S from last year, and a significant leap of $55.50 from the iPhone 4. If true, the increase in build costs isn't reflected in the MSRP of the iPhone 4, as Apple has kept the same price points every year since 2010 (with the excepton of the 64GB model, which wasn't available until 2011.)

This goes to the credit of Apple's market leading logistics, which locks in deals for mass supply parts of raw material and components from manufactures purchased years in advance. 

Read More | UBM TechInsights

iPhone 5 backordered less than an hour after pre-orders begin!

iPhone 5 backorder

Well, that was fast. iPhone 5 pre-order began at 12:01am this morning, and by 12:56am, the latest Apple smartphone was backordered by a week. Buyers who are late to the game (and by late, we mean an hour late--1:00am Pacific, 4:00am Eastern,) will currently be receiving pre-ordered iPhone 5 units one week after availability, on September 28th. Of course, you can also opt to visit your local Apple, Sprint, AT&T, or Verizon Store on the 21st if you'd rather not wait a week.

Did you pre-order iPhone 5?


iPhone 5 pre-orders begin September 14 at 12:01am Pacific Time

iPhone 5 pre-order

If you're hoping to get an iPhone 5 on launch day without having to wait in line, pre-ordering is your best bet, and pre-orders start tonight at midnight. Just make sure you've got yourself some coffee, or get in a nap, because it might be a long night. Based on previous years, its going to be an absolute frenzy, consisting of a lot of refreshing of web pages, crashing carrier sites, losing your spot as servers melt under the pressure, etc. If you're lucky, you'll get through and be done within just a few minutes. Just make sure you know exactly which iPhone you want--color, capacity, carrier, and plan--so that you aren't trying to make those decisions while time-outs are occurring.

You'll be able to place your order in the U.S. starting at 12:01 Pacific Time, 3:01 a.m. Eastern on Friday, Sept. 14. Good luck.


Apple shutting down Ping social network on September 30

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

Apple shutting down Ping on September 30

Remember when Apple launched Ping? It was supposed to be the quintissential social network for anyone who loved music. Except that Apple crippled Ping right out of the gate, and we learned that it wasn't really a social network at all - it was just another method the company wanted to take advantage of to get people to buy more music. It was annoying and resrictive. You could only talk about music that was available on iTunes...and nothing more. Recently, it was rumored that Apple would kill Ping, and now it has been confirmed. Ping closes its doors on September 30th. Anyone out there upset by the closure? Anyone?


Watch the entire iPhone 5 keynote announcement now (video!)

Apple iPhone 5 event video

As is customary, Apple has published streaming video of the entire iPhone 5 event from this morning for all to enjoy. If you wanna see Tim Cook, Phil Schiller, Scott Forstall and gang debut the iPhone 5, new iPod touch, updated iPod nano, iTunes 11 and more, jump on over and check out the video of the media event, and don't forget to check out all of our coverage from the event!


iOS 6 Golden Master now available to developers

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

iOS 6 golden master download

On the heels of today's iPhone 5 event, Apple has just seeded the iOS 6 Golden Master to developers, alongside Xcode 4.5 GM. Build 10A403 is the final version, and iOS 6 will be released on September 19 to the general public. The updated mobile OS will be compatible with the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 4th- and 5th- generations, iPad 2, and the new iPad.


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