Opinion: Why I love Apple products, and am just a tiny bit embarrassed to be seen using them

I love my Apple products. I’ve used Macs since day one. My desk right now has on it my MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Air, Thunderbolt Display and iPhone. Oh, and an Apple Bluetooth keyboard and Magic Trackpad, of course.

My friends are convinced that I’m incapable of leaving the house without my iPad, and I have to confess that the evidence is on their side. My car has an iPhone dock so I can listen to music and podcasts. If I’m on a plane, train or tube, it’s a near-certainty that I’ll be using my iPad or listening to music on my iPhone – or both.

I love Apple hardware design. Sleek, minimalistic, beautiful. There aren’t that many other really attractive laptops out there, and most of the ones that are have essentially copied Apple’s designs … 

I love OS X and iOS. Not everything about them, of course: there are glitches and anoyances, and iOS in particular is showing its age a little with the lack of live data on the homescreen, but both Just Work. Windows 8 is pretty good, but just the other day helping a friend update her CV on her Windows laptop, I was reminded of just how many nice touches I take for granted in OS X.

I love the seamlessness of iCloud. Again, we all know it’s not perfect, but it’s still incredibly impressive that syncing is now something that happens, rather than something I have to do. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I can pick up any of my iDevices, and the same, up-to-the-minute information will be on each.

I also really like Apple as a company. The reason the products are so good is precisely because Apple has strong values around quality, attention to detail and refusal to compromise. I love the fact that Apple concentrates on doing a small number of things very well, and doesn’t do what most companies in its position would do and slap an Apple logo on everything from baseball caps to cars.

I love the fact that Apple supports its technology with real people. Admittedly not everyone lives within easy reach of an Apple Store, but for those who do, anyone can wander in, ask the dumbest question and get individual help, free of charge. Compare that to attempting to get help with a Windows laptop or Android phone, and there is just no comparison.

So why, then, would I feel even a tiny bit embarrassed to be seen using them? Three reasons …

I was in a certain well-known coffee store the other day, and I paused from what I was writing to look around. The first thing I noticed was that almost every single customer was using an electronic device, busily immersed in a smartphone, tablet or laptop. Second, out of around 30 devices in use, I think only three or four of them didn’t have an Apple logo. In central London, at least, it seems the default choice.

Perhaps I’m being snobbish, but I can remember when spotting someone else using a Mac was almost an event. We were the unusual ones, the ones who had given the matter more thought, and were prepared to step out of the mainstream and buy something that was, honestly, at the time, a bit eccentric. People would ask you why.

But hey, I can live with being one of the masses (for a certain demographic value of masses, anyway). The second reason is the fashionista thing.

Apple has a lot of discerning customers. People who are perfectly well aware of the alternatives, know full well how the prices of competitor products compare and have made a choice to pay a premium price for a superior product. The type of people you’d find reading 9to5Mac, in fact.

But even I have to agree with my Apple-ribbing friends that there are those … other type of Apple customers. The sheeples, as they are unkindly dubbed. The type of people who buy Apple because it’s expensive and fashionable, and because they have no clue what else is out there.

Perhaps worse than the fashionista, though, are the third reason: the fanbois.

Don’t misunderstand me: I don’t use the term to describe people who love Apple products. I’m one of those. By fanbois, I mean those who are so utterly fanatical about it that they will scream and shout and stamp their feet if anyone so much as dares to level the slightest hint of criticism at Apple, or to say anything even vaguely complimentary about Windows or Android.

I’d rather not be mistaken for a fashionista (though perhaps my dress sense saves me there). I would most definitely not like to be mistaken for a fanboi. It was in that coffee shop when I realised I might, to the casual observer, have given that impression. The wifi was hopeless, so when I needed to google something, I pushed aside my MacBook Air, and got out my iPad Air to do the search. At which point, with perfect timing, someone called me – on my iPhone. I did feel just a twinge of embarrassment about sitting at a coffee shop table simultaneously using three pieces of Apple technology.

I supposed I should just have been grateful I couldn’t yet be wearing an iWatch …

- 9to5mac.com

Next iPhone reportedly sports a larger screen and sapphire crystal display

Apple is preparing to release not one, but two new versions of the iPhone in September, according to the South China Morning Post. Each version will ship with a larger display than the iPhone 5s, coming in at a whopping 4.7″ and 5.5″, respectively. The displays are said to have a pixel density of 441ppi, much higher than the current 326ppi found in the iPhone 5 and later.

The report also states that both displays will be made from sapphire crystal, which fits with recent reports that Apple is planning to have its latest sapphire plant in Mesa, AZ operational in February for a “critical” product component. The displays will also be flat, not curved, the Post says.

Finally, the report indicates that the iPhone 5c will be removed from the lineup when the iPhone 6 is released, while the 5s will stick around but be made from cheaper materials.

- 9to5mac.com

Virgin Mobile offering 20% discount on iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c

Virgin Mobile USA, the prepaid service provider and the wholly owned subsidiary of Sprint, is offering a massive 20% discount on unsubsidized iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

The 16GB iPhone 5s is on sale for $439.99, the 32GB model for $519.99 and the 64GB model is available for $599.99. That’s a lot cheaper than unlocked iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, which start at $649 and $549 respectively on Apple’s website.

The 16GB iPhone 5c is on sale for $359.99 and the 32GB model for $439.99. Virgin Mobile is also offering 20% on older iPhone models as well such as iPhone 5, iPhone 4s and iPhone 4.

iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are available with prepaid plans starting at $35 per month for 300 minutes along with unlimited data and text. Customers get a $5 discount when they signup for auto monthly payments. Virgin also offers a $55 per month plan for 1200 minutes and a $45 per month plan for unlimited calling. Virgin starts throttling data after a monthly soft cap of 2.5GB.

The promotion is available for a limited time, so if Virgin Mobile has a good coverage in your area, and you’re planning to buy a new iPhone then grab this deal as soon as possible.

Visit Virgin Mobile’s website for more details.

Posted by Gautam on Jan 29, 2014 - iphonehacks.com

Apple releases iOS 7.0.5 for some iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c models [Updatedx2]

Apple has just released iOS 7.0.5 software update.

According to the release notes, iOS 7.0.5 update corrects networking provisioning for some iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c models sold in China.

The update appears to be available only for some iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c models that are sold in China, Europe and Asia Pacific compatible with China’s networks. It is not available for iPad or iPod touch.

The update appears to be available for the following iPhone models:

iPhone 5s
A1457 (UK/Europe)
A1528 (China)
A1530 (Asia Pacific)

iPhone 5c
A1507 (UK/Europe)
A1526 (China)
A1529 (Asia Pacific)

You can check this post if you want to know how to find the model number. If your iPhone’s model number doesn’t feature in the list, then it will most likely not get the update.

Jailbreakers should avoid upgrading to iOS 7.0.5 until further notice. MuscleNerd of evad3rs has also issued the warning to stay away:

If you're in China then you're probably not reading this tweet. But in case you are, avoid today's China-only 7.0.5 iOS update for 5s/5c.

— MuscleNerd (@MuscleNerd) January 29, 2014

The release caught me by surprise as I was expecting Apple to release iOS 7.1. It indicates that there is still some time left before Apple releases it. According to some rumors, Apple will release iOS 7.1 in March.

Update 1:

Here’s the direct download links for iOS 7.0.5:

• iPhone5,4_7.0.5_11B601_Restore.ipsw (iPhone 5c) iPhone5,4 (7.0.5 for iPhone 5c)
• iPhone6,2_7.0.5_11B601_Restore.ipsw (iPhone 5s)

Update 2:

evasi0n7 jailbreak still works with iOS 7.0.5. Check this post for more details.

Let me know if the iOS 7.0.5 is available for your iPhone in the comments below.

[Via MacRumors]

Posted by Gautam on Jan 29, 2014 - iphonehacks.com

Apple posts behind the scenes video of ’1.24.14′ Mac 30th Anniversary Film

Earlier today, Apple released the “1.24.14″ film shot entirely on the iPhone 5s and edited on Macs to celebrate Mac’s 30th anniversary.

It has now released a new behind-the-scene video that shows how the film was shot.

The footage for the short film was shot at 15 different locations across 5 continents including Melbourne, Tokyo, Shanghai, Botswana, Pompei, Paris, Lyon, Amsterdam, London, Puerto Rico, Brookhaven, Maryland, Aspen, Los Angeles and Seattle.

Apple had provided more details on the webpage dedicated for the film:

On the 30th birthday of the Mac, we directed 15 camera crews across 10 countries to capture the amazing things people are doing with the power of Apple technology. The ambitious film was shot in a single day, entirely on iPhone.

After the footage was shot in each location, it was handed over to Angus Wall, one of the most sought-after editors in Hollywood. Because so much footage had to be edited so quickly — over 70 hours shot on 100 iPhones — he employed a team of 21 editors to piece the story together.

Apple also (not surprisingly) point out that its products including the iMac, Mac Pro, and the iPad were used for making of the video:

In order to direct 15 separate locations filming in a single day, Jake Scott transformed a sound stage in Los Angeles into a command center. He equipped it with an arsenal of Apple products including iMac, Mac Pro, and iPad, along with large projection displays positioned around the room. From there he was able to watch every scene as it was shot, and direct all the action remotely via FaceTime. Many involved in the production believe this innovative approach to a multilocation shoot will be adopted by other filmmakers.

Check out the video below and let me know what you think. It’s a great advertisement for the iPhone 5s.

Posted by Gautam on Feb 04, 2014 - iphonehacks.com

Apple posts new “On The Runaway” video of Burberry’s Fashion show shot with iPhone 5s

Last year, Apple made a big splash with the iPhone 5s, by partnering with the fashion house Burberry to shoot their runway show in London.

iPhone 5s was still to be launched, so it was a great way to showcase some of the new features of the device such as the slow-motion video etc.

Apple had released also release a full 15-minute video shot using the iPhone 5s just after the event. The Burberry team had used 14 iPhone 5s units (golden ones) to cover all angles of the ramp, with nine on the runway, 3 on a moving rail cam, one on the roof and one right in the front.

Apple has just upload a new thirty-second YouTube video, which shows how the iPhone 5s was used to the shoot video at the fashion show.

The video titled “on the runaway with iPhone 5s”:

Burberry Spring/Summer 2014. An incredible collection. Shot with stunning clarity. On iPhone 5s.

Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Thanks Stan for the tip!

Posted by Gautam on Feb 06, 2014 - iphonehacks.com

iPhone 5s prices around the world: Most expensive in Brazil; Cheapest in the US

After finally snapping up the rights to use the iPhone name in Brazil a few months ago, Apple made further strides in conquering one of the world’s fastest evolving smartphone markets by opening its first official retail store in the country on Sunday.

But the iPhone 5s is hardly accessible to Brazilian masses, since it costs a whopping 2,799 reais, the equivalent of roughly $1,170. That’s for the 16 GB flavor, a model available in the U.S for almost half the price – $649.

Meanwhile, the 32 GB variant goes for 3,199 reais ($1,340) in Brazil and $749 in the US, whereas the highest-end version, packing 64 GB storage, is around $1,500 and $849 respectively. The staggering gap is of course caused by import duties and taxes, making Brazil the place with the costliest iPhone 5s in the world. Guess you now know what to not pick up as a souvenir next time you attend the Rio carnival.

Interestingly, adding a very important variable in the equation, namely GDP per capita, we can reach the conclusion things are not the worst in the land of soccer, coffee and beautiful girls. So, the high value of all final goods and services produced in the country over the span of a year, divided by the average population (that’s GDP per capita, for the record), actually puts Brazil ahead of Philippines, Jordan, Vietnam and India in a list of nations where it’s technically cost-conscious to pick up an iPhone 5s.

An iPhone 5s is thus worth roughly 10 percent of the GDP in Brazil, compared to over 22 in India, but a measly 1.36 percent in USA and 0.76 in Qatar. Arab Emirates, here we come.

The world map below courtesy Mobile Unlocked gives a good idea of how expensive an iPhone 5s is in your country relative to other countries (Note: there is some discrepancy probably due to the exchange rate used by the two sites).

[Via Bloomberg, Mobile Unlocked]

Posted by Adrian Diaconescu on Feb 18, 2014 - iphonehacks.com

Former Apple executive explains why the iPhone 5c flopped

Sales of the iPhone 5c were not as strong as Apple expected with many analysts and pundits calling the phone a flop. Former Apple advertising executive Ken Segall considered the plight of the iPhone 5c and shared on his blog why he thinks it did not attract new customers.

Segall points out that Apple did not hide the plastic construction of the phone. Instead, the company highlighted the design by saying the iPhone 5c was “unapologetically plastic,” and its construction was “Plastic Perfected.” Segal admits the iPhone 5c was not a compromise in quality, but its mid-range price point and its plastic construction posed a marketing challenge for Apple.

Was plastic a compromise on quality? Not necessarily. After all, iPhones were made of plastic before. However, as the device evolved to become more jewel-like, the plastic was left behind. So clearly a new phone made of plastic would create a marketing challenge.

Ultimately, Segall claims that no amount of slick marketing could sell the iPhone 5C because the original product strategy was flawed. “Advertising can add momentum and generate buzz,” writes Segall, “but it can’t turn a bad product into a sensation.” The iPhone 5c failed because, in part, Apple is a premium brand and the plastic on the iPhone 5c was equated with cheap.

First, Steve Jobs was right. Apple is a company that doesn’t do “cheap.” It makes products for people who care about design, simplicity, quality and a great experience — and are willing to pay more for these things.

Even CEO Tim Cook admitted during the company’s last earnings conference call that it misjudged demand for the iPhone 5C.

I think last quarter we did a tremendous job, particularly given the mix was something very different than we thought. It was the first time we’d ever run that particular play before, and demand percentage turned out to be different than we thought. We obviously always look at our results, and conclude what to change moving forward. And if we decide it’s in our best interest to make a change, then we’ll make one.

I think the iPhone 5c missed the mark because it was an expensive plastic phone. It was close enough in price to the iPhone 5s that many customers were comfortable with paying a bit more to buy the feature-filled iPhone 5s. Those customers shopping for a bargain phone preferred the plastic design, but the elevated price tag pushed them to choose an inexpensive Android device instead.

Why do you think the iPhone 5c failed to generate consumer interest? Share your theories in the comments.

[Via BGR]

Posted by Julie on Feb 18, 2014 - iphonehacks.com

Photos of an iPhone 5s whose battery caught fire and exploded

We have seen several incidents of iPhones catching fire, with the most recent one that involved an iPhone 5c. Today, photos of a new incident have surfaced that involve the iPhone 5s catching fire.

From 9to5Mac:

[Today we got] images above from reader that just had a similar problem with his iPhone 5s.

We don’t know the source of the issue yet, but it looks like the majority of damage is originating from where the battery is located. Of note: The phone was apparently not charging or using any unauthorized accessories but we can’t verify.

The photos are quite terrifying, showing actual flames, a swollen up battery:

While the exact cause of the issue isn’t known, it’s likely that it was due to some sort of malfunction in the battery. Many such incidents are caused due to unauthorised accessories or replacement parts, but this device didn’t have any such components, nor was it being charged.

[via 9to5Mac]

Posted by Jason on Feb 22, 2014 - iphonehacks.com

AAPL stock more than 3 percent up on China Mobile news

After the fall in Apple’s stock value when the China Mobile failed to materialise as expected on 18th December, yesterday’s news that the deal had finally been concluded sent the stock shooting back up again, having climbed more than 3 percent at the time of writing (it was up 4% in pre-market trading but has settled).

With the WSJ having reported that 18th December was the day, the market was clearly jittery when nothing materialized. Everything had appeared to be in place: regulatory approval, Apple putting the handsets on sale in China on the opening weekend, China Mobile posters, a pre-order website, in-store displays – and 4G service up-and-running on schedule … 

One theory suggested that China Mobile wanted to renegotiate its volume breaks with Apple after seeing far greater demand for the iPhone 5s than for the cheaper 5c, while Fortune suggested this morning that perhaps Apple wanted to delay the deal until supplies had caught up with demand elsewhere, and that China Mobile had been applying none-too-subtle pressure on Apple by announcing the date as if it were a done deal.

Either way, there will be a lot of relieved faces that the deal has finally been signed, and Apple can look forward to a bumper quarter once the handsets go on sale in January.

Written by: Ben Lovejoy @benlovejoy December 23, 2013/7:32 am - 9to5mac.com

Looking to buy an iPhone, iPad or Mac for the holidays? Here are the best deals

There’s little more than a week left for the Christmas holidays, and a number of retailers are discounting iPhones, iPads and Macs. Here are the best deals on each of these product categories.

iPhone 5s

• Walmart In-store: $199 → $119
• Sam’s Club In-store: $199 → $119
• Best Buy:
  • 16GB: $199 → $125
  • 32GB: $299 → $225
  • 64GB: $399 → $325
• MacMall:
  • 16GB: $199 → $120
  • 32GB: $299 → $220
  • 64GB: $399 → $320
• Target In-store: $199 → $150

iPhone 5c

• Walmart, In-store: $99 → $27
• Sam’s Club, In-store: $99 → $25
• MacMall
  • 16GB: $99 → $20
  • 32GB: $199 → $120
• Best Buy:
  • 16GB: $99 → $50
  • 32GB: $199 → $150
• Target In-store: $99 → $0 ($50, but you get a free $50 gift card)

Retina iPad mini

• Toys R Us, In-store: $299 → $260
• Walmart, In-store: $299 → $249 ($299, but you get a free $50 gift card)
• RadioShack, In-store: $299 → $199 ($299, but you get a free $100 gift card)
• Target, In-store: $299 → $269 ($299, but you get a free $30 gift card)

iPad Air

• MacMall: $499 → $479
• Toys R Us:
  • 16GB: $499 → $450
  • 32GB: $599 → $550

Macs

• Best Buy:
  • $100 off MacBook Air
  • $160 off 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac
• MacMall
  • $24-$49 off 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro
  • $59-$99 off 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro
  • $29 off 13-inch MacBook Air
  • Up to $102 off iMac

Best Buy and MacMalls’s promotions are valid in-stores as well as online.

Let us know if you’ve spotted great deals on Apple products in the comments below.

[via MacRumors]

Posted by Jason on Dec 19, 2013 - iphonehacks.com

Qualcomm employee claims 64-bit A7 hit company ‘in the gut’

Earlier this year, a Qualcomm executive said the 64-bit processor in the Apple iPhone 5s was a marketing gimmick and pointed out how the chip did nothing to help consumers. Qualcomm eventually retracted those comments and said it was working on its own 64-bit chip. That is only part of the story — new details suggest the A7 took Qualcomm by surprise, and the company is in a panic as a result.

According to Hubspot columnist Dan Lyons, Apple’s announcement of the A7 “Hit [Qualcomm] in the gut.” An anonymous Qualcomm employee told Lyons that the A7 took not just Qualcomm, but everyone by surprise. Though the company is publicly downplaying the advancement in mobile technology, internally people are freaking out.

“The 64-bit Apple chip hit us in the gut,” says the Qualcomm employee. “Not just us, but everyone, really. We were slack-jawed, and stunned, and unprepared. It’s not that big a performance difference right now, since most current software won’t benefit. But in Spinal Tap terms it’s like, 32 more, and now everyone wants it.”

Qualcomm is working on its own 64-bit processor, the Snapdragon 410, which will land in smartphones in the second half of 2014. If Qualcomm keeps to its timetable, it will be about a year behind Apple in the 64-bit processor market.

[Via MacRumors]

Posted by Kelly on Dec 17, 2013 - iphonehacks.com

China Mobile still in talks with Apple over the iPhone

Earlier this month, the WSJ claimed that Apple and China Mobile had inked a deal that would bring the iPhone to the world’s largest carrier. This report was quietly refuted by a China Mobile representative, who said talks were still ongoing. Another report today from Reuters confirmed there is still no new announcement to make.

Speaking to reporters during a conference in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, China Mobile chairman Xi Guohua said on Wednesday that his company is not ready to announce a deal with Apple to carry the iPhone. Though nothing is official, a deal can’t be too far away as the carrier is still accepting iPhone 5s pre-orders on its Beijing site, as noted by Forbes.

A deal with China Mobile is significant for Apple as the company stands to earn up to $3 billion from China Mobile sales, analysts predict. China Mobile is the world’s largest mobile phone carrier with 759 million customers. It eclipses carriers like Verizon Wireless and AT&T, which have approximately 120 and 110 million customers each, respectively. Wall Street is anxious for a China Mobile deal. When an official announcement didn’t hit the news wire today, Apple’s stock fell slightly as a result.

Posted by Kelly on Dec 18, 2013 - iphonehacks.com

iPhone market share in China more than doubled following 5s and 5c launch

Data from smartphone market intelligence specialist Counterpoint shows that iPhone market share in China more than doubled between September and October even before launching on the country’s biggest carrier, China Mobile.

Apple’s market share rose from just under 5 percent to 12 percent, taking it from 6th place to 3rd place, behind Samsung and Lenovo … 

Apple had previously seen its share fall from 9 percent in early 2012 as the market was flooded with relatively high-spec Android phones at low prices.

With wildly-varying estimates of the likely effect of the China Mobile deal, there will be huge interest in the numbers following the iPhone’s official launch on the carrier on the 18th.

Pre-orders start today, and Fortune noted that the reservation page was notching up website visitors at the rate of one every two seconds.

Written by: Ben Lovejoy @benlovejoy December 12, 2013/5:11 am - 9to5mac.com

iPhone 5s undisputed king at all four major U.S. carriers ever since launch

The iPhone 5s has retained its status as the best-selling smartphone at the four tier-1 U.S. carriers for the third month running, with the iPhone 5c taking third place after the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Data from Canaccord Genuity showed that the iPhone 5s has topped the sales charts at AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile every month since launch, reports AllThingsD.

“Our surveys indicated continued strong sales of the iPhone 5s, as it was by far the top selling smartphone at all four tier-1 U.S. carriers and at most channels where the smartphone launched globally,” analyst T. Michael Walkley explained in a note to clients. “Our surveys also indicated steady iPhone 5c sales with the smartphone’s color options and more affordable price point proving popular with its intended audience” … 

Prior to the launch of the new iPhones, Apple held the top slot at only one of the four carriers, AT&T, with the iPhone 5 sitting in second place behind the Samsung S4 at the others.

On the basis of these numbers, Canaccord Genuity has increased its forecast shipment numbers for Q1 2014 from 52M to 54M. Supplies of the iPhone 5s have been a limiting factor until recently, but a store survey just a few days ago showed that supplies now appear to have caught up with demand.

The news comes just a day after the iPhone market share in China was reported to have doubled since the launch of the iPhone 5s and 5c.

Written by: Ben Lovejoy @benlovejoy December 13, 2013/4:22 am - 9to5mac.com