iPhone – Page 2

iOS 7 beta 4 prefigured for release today

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This is just a quick notice for our readers to remind those of you waiting on iOS 7 beta 4, which is predicted to release today if the 2-week gap happens again. We know there hasn’t been as much proof as with the previous update, so the July 22 date is basically expected after looking at the past pattern and likelihood of iOS 7 beta 4 going up for download if you have developer access. So-called insiders haven’t confirmed this rumor this time around, so we currently have our doubts.

We only just touched on crashing problems in iOS 7 beta 3 on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, which also happened in previous versions but are expected to a certain degree by our in-house developer. We noted iOS 7 beta 3 improved on the iPhone 4S getting hot and fixed some minor bugs with iPhone 5, although we have since noted that the iPhone 4S crashes to a black screen a lot.

New fixes in iOS 7 beta 4 with problems sticking – we look forward to seeing what is fixed but anyone using iOS 7 beta to test apps on their iPad, iPhone 4S, 4 or 5 should assume problems will still exist thanks to this software being a couple of months away from public utilization.

The iOS 7 updates to beta 3 have not really offered any major new features since the original launch, and while there have been a few changes we expect some new features to be added in the coming betas that might even include iOS 7 beta 4 if it sees a release later today. We don’t have a release time or any official confirmation of a launch, although the previous download just appeared.

What problems are you experiencing that need a fix in iOS 7 beta 4? Hit the comments below, and remember to share issues with the type of device being used from an iPhone 5, 4S or iPad etc. The instant the next update is live you can be sure our readers will share this fact, but we’ll be sure to let our readers also know so keep up with Phones Review as we deliver updates.

iPhone 5S, 6 promise from quarterly sales

There is a huge amount of interest in upcoming Apple iPhones, with the iPhone 5S widely expected to launch in September and an iPhone 6 set for 2014. We’ve been keeping readers informed with leaks and speculation about the next iPhones, but of course nothing has been officially announced yet about either device. One thing…

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It’s easy to assume that any future iPhone will be a big hit, as Apple generates a large amount of brand loyalty, and previous iterations of the iPhone have all been hits. Therefore we can say without too much prevarication that the iPhone 5S and 6 are assured a decent amount of sales. However, it seems to be the case that demand for the iPhone is growing, as shown by the latest estimates for the June quarter.

Analysts’ estimates for last quarter iPhone sales range from 23 million to 32 million, with a median of 27 million units. Although it has been reported that there seems to be a slowdown of high-end smartphone sales globally, the verdict from 45 Apple analysts bucks this idea, with the consensus suggesting that iPhone sales still grew in the June quarter.

Fortune reports on the findings of 28 professional analysts and 17 amateurs for fiscal Q3 this year, and the resulting estimate of 27.15 million iPhones sales indicates a rise of 4.3% over the same time last year when sales were 26.03 million. Although this indicates a much slower growth than in previous years, it does still show growth.

This growth becomes even more notable when taking into account that the most recent iPhone, the iPhone 5, is already 9 months old, while the iPhone 4S is 21 months old and the iPhone 4 is 36 months old. On July 23 Apple will report on fiscal Q3 2013 earnings and we’ll know just how accurate these estimates are.

These figures certainly suggest very encouraging potential for sales of the iPhone 5S and 6, and although other makers may be seeing a slowdown in sales, that doesn’t seem to be the case for Apple going on these latest estimates. We recently told about Google’s huge promotional budget for the Moto X in a bid to rival the iPhone 5S, and it will be interesting to see exactly what happens over the next few months for all smartphone sales.

Before we wrap up we’ll give you some of the expectations for the iPhone 5S, but remember none of this is official just yet. Just of a few of the leaks and rumors suggest an upgraded processor, a 13-megapixel camera, possibly with slow-motion video capture, more storage options, and a fingerprint sensor, and it’s likely to be running iOS 7 out of the box.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on the latest analysts’ estimates regarding current iPhone sales, and how they appear to indicate that Apple is still achieving growth? Are you waiting for the launch of the iPhone 5S? Why not send us your comments with your views.

Source: Fortune

Apple files for iWatch trademark in Japan, Russia & Mexico

Bloomberg reports that Apple is aiming to trademark the name iWatch. The company filed for a patent at the Japanese Patent Office on 3rd June. It has long been rumored that the Cupertino based company is all set to enter the wearables market with a smart watch. It is believed that the company has about 100 designers working on its latest product. Tavis McCourt, an analyst at Raymond James & Associates Inc. has upgraded Apple’s shares to a buy with a $600 target price. To compete with Apple’s upcoming device, Samsung is known to be working on its own smart watch. Sony too has announced its second generation SmartWatch that runs Android. The wearable could work in tandem with Apple’s iPhone and iPad to offer notifications and voice based navigation through Siri.
In addition to Japan, the company has also filed for trademarks in Russia and Mexico.The person who submitted the request on behalf Apple in Mexico is named Maria Teresa Eljure Tellez and this name can also be seen on trademark filings for other Apple products. Apple is expected to introduce a new iPad and iPhone later this year and this latest round of activity by the company means that we might …

Purported images of low-cost iPhone back cover emerge

Alleged photos of a back cover for an upcoming low-cost iPhone have made the rounds on the web. The images reveal a bright-green back shell, which falls in line with previous rumors about a cheaper iPhone, bound to offered in multiple colors.

There are no surprises on the alleged low-cost iPhone's back. The camera unit is accompanied by a single LED flash. A dedicated microphone appears…

iPhone 5S imagined with camera specs upgrade

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There has been a lot of speculation surrounding an iPhone 5S release date, and we’ve always felt that it will arrive in fall. It looks likely to be a minor upgrade with a major rethink for the iPhone 6 in 2014. We’ve been passing on rumors, leaks and insight about the iPhone 5S, but of course until Apple chooses to confirm the device, much of this is speculation. In the meantime we thought we’d show you the iPhone 5S newly imagined with iOS 7 and a camera specs upgrade, and we also have a video illustrating this.

Of course this is not the official Apple iPhone 5S, but it does give an intriguing look at what could be offered on the next iPhone. Occasionally we like to share notable concept ideas for smartphones and ask your opinions as to whether the design is something you’d like to see for the real deal. This latest iPhone 5S creation comes from designer Arthur Reis and the YouTube video was put together by Ran Avni.

Among the rumored specs and features we’ve heard about for the real iPhone 5S are a larger display, more color options and an improved camera set-up, and this latest iPhone 5S concept reflects many of the more likely possibilities. Dubbed as the ‘All New’ iPhone this design features a larger screen with improved resistance to scratching, thinner borders, and a new ring/silent button. Although the display is larger the form factor manages to be 5% thinner and it is reduced in height from the current iPhone 5.

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It’s also envisioned in three different color choices, white and silver, black and silver or black and slate. Where this concept really gets interesting is the inclusion of a 12.1-megapixel iSight Pro rear camera with f/1.8 aperture, as well as a 5-megapixel full HD iSight front-facing camera. If you check out the video taster that we’ve embedded below this story you can see this concept from all angles. You may also like to check out a notable iPhone 6 concept that we shared earlier today.

We were pretty impressed by this stylish iPhone 5S concept, but we’d like to know what you think, so why not check out the video below and send us your comments. Do you find this iPhone 5S design attractive? Is their any aspect in particular of this iPhone 5S and its specs and features that you find particularly appealing?

Father’s Day Kids Activity apps for iPhone and iPad

This Sunday June 16 is Father’s Day in the UK, US and some other countries across the world. It’s often a day when families get together, and then you may well need some kids activities to keep them amused and busy. With this in mind we thought we’d round up some of the top Father’s…

Father’s Day is a very special day for Dads, as it gives kids the opportunity to show how much they love and appreciate them. We’ve previously rounded up some of the Best Father’s Day apps with quotes, poems, greetings cards and more, so if you want these sorts of apps check it out at the link above. In this collection though, we’re concentrating on apps for the kids. If you want more info or to download any of these apps, simply click on the title links for each to be taken straight to the App Store.

The first app we have for you is Kids Fingerpainting – Father’s Day HD at iTunes. This one is obviously a free app and it’s compatible for the iPhone, iPod touch or iPod running iOS 4.3 or later and optimized for iPhone 5. This is a great way for kids to show their Dad’s some affection and they can color pictures and then add a frame and their own message or autograph. There are various coloring pages to choose from with 10 pre-set colors, a customizable color palate, color shading, variable brush sizes, and custom frames, and then they can save their work to a Photo Library.

Our next activity app for Father’s Day is Color and Play on Father’s Day HD. Again this is a free app but this one is for iPads only, running iOS 3.2 or later. Key features include a selection of original coloring pages, frames, sound effects and the ability to add an autograph. In fact many of the features are similar to the previous app. However, after the kids have finished their masterpieces they can then have them scrambled up to create a puzzle game, combining creativity and logic in one app.

Moving on we come to Paint and Play – Father’s Day. This is another free app and it’s compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad running 4.3 or later, and it has been optimized for iPhone 5. This has 25 illustrations to color and the app also features interactive sounds and colors. There are 8 preset colors and a near infinite color palate, and you can use a camera to capture a pic to draw on or select a picture from the photo library. The app also has a spider puzzle game as well as a matching game, and the kids can save, email, or post the picture on Facebook.

This one is a neat idea to keep kids and their Dad’s amused as it’s a game that both can play. The Father’s Day Game: Fishing with my dad for iPhone app is priced at $4.99 /£2.99 and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad running iOS 3.0 or later. This would be particularly good for Dads who enjoy fishing and the game involves catching fish for coins, which they can then trade in for more lures, bonus fish and point modifiers. Will Dad or the kids do best?

The next suggestion is not specifically for Father’s Day but is a great app for family occasions. It’s Fun for Kids: Activities For Your Family and this app is priced at $0.99 /£0.69. It’s compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad running iOS 3.1.3 or later and offers more than 200 fun activities including crafts, games and entertainment. This app also features integration with Facebook, Twitter and Email.

The very last app we have for you to consider is a little different and a great way to start Father’s Day. This is A Father’s Day Alarm Clock – wake to a photo and message from your kids! The title of this makes it fairly self-explanatory, and this is a unique alarm clock app that enables you to upload photos of the kids. They can also record their own personalized alarm to wake up Dad, and there are features such as a choice of alarm sounds and a white noise sound machine. It’s a really neat idea, and we’re sure most Dads would appreciate it (although not if they want a lie in)! This app is priced at $0.99 /£0.69 and is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd, 4th and 5th generation), and iPad running iOS 6.0 or later, and it has been optimized for iPhone 5.

This concludes our roundup of Father’s Day kids activity apps for iPhone and iPad, and we hope that among these suggestions you find just the one that you are looking for. If you have any other great Father’s Day apps that you wish to recommend from the App Store, why not let us know by sending your comments to us.

Official iOS 7 AirDrop vs Samsung S Beam

You could call this a case of innovation wars between two giant names aka Apple and Samsung, and we can see Android and iOS fans not agreeing. After watch WWDC 2013 live Craig Federighi took the stage and whilst doing his talk he sort of let slip a slight hint towards Samsung by saying “No…

Official iOS 7 AirDrop vs Samsung S Beam

Apple announced its new iOS 7 AirDrop feature that will be releasing on the iPhone 5, 4th Gen iPad, iPad Mini, and the 5th generation iPod touch, some emails have already come in to Phones Review saying surely this is a iOS 7 AirDrop vs Samsung S Beam game.

The emails did not state they were iOS or Android users etc, so we cannot judge on any of this. But, we can say AirDrop is a great feature and no bumping of phones is needed unlike S Beam. We are not hear to slander AirDrop or S Beam, we want to provide you with the latest news about the new AirDrop feature that will be released in the fall with iOS 7, developers will get it today in the new beta test.

The iOS 7 AirDrop feature will work in the same way AirDrop on Mac works thanks to the same P2P abilities, AirDrop works without any network or set up requirements. If you want to send a file to someone or multiple people all you need to do is select that person/s and click the share button, all transfers are encrypted and works on either Bluetooth or WiFi.

AirDrop can be accessed via the new Control Center, which works when you swipe from the bottom of the screen upwards, which is the opposite way you would open notifications by sliding from the top of the screen downwards, we will talk a little more in another article about the Control Center.

Samsung S beam found on many Android devices works by touching phones, similar to the iOS Bump app but more efficient, we have used S Beam on many devices such as the Galaxy S4 and cannot fault it. But, we have to say AirDrop seems to be a little more refined and more practical, we will let you decide this one.

Matthew Miller via ZDNet talks a little about Samsung adding new features that are great in ads/commercials etc, but rarely get used after the initial trials, what he has to say is worth reading, maybe you would agree or disagree.

AirDrop vs S Beam: What one is more practical?

WWDC 2013 Apple banners depict new app icons

Only a few days to go until Monday June 10th and that is when we will be hot on the heels of the summer conference of the year. The WWDC 2013 banners are already being erected at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, and we see that these banners depict new app icons. The banners…

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The banners in our eyes prove that the major iOS redesign will be the main centre of attention, many photos are going up online and the one shown below is by Appleholic on Instagram, you can see many more over on 9to5Mac.

WWDC 2013 Apple banners depict new app icons

The image above depicts the new iOS 7 app icons and judging on these images it looks like the new flat design is now becoming a reality.

The photo below (Courtesy of MacStories) shows off the WWDC 2013 (MMXIII) banner has the tagline “Where a whole new world is developing”, seems interesting and hopefully so much so we will get to see new innovation from Apple.

Before anyone asks, there will not be any announcements of a new iPhone or iPad, it will concentrate on sales so far, how many downloads over a period of time from users and of course iOS 7.

We reported a few days ago that there will only be live blog streaming, this means there will be no live video coverage on the day, for more information about this please read our full article on this.

The official WWDC 2013 app is now live, so it seems Apple is starting to ramp up its awareness already, please make sure you are with Phones Review on Monday 10th because we will be covering everything related.

iPhone 5S concepts continue release date build-up

Around the same time Tim Cook delivered some cryptic insight into the future of Apple during an interview, we have seen a number of iPhone 5S concept videos and photos go live that feature expectations arising after and before the interview. Today, we wanted to feature the latest collection of iPhone 5S concepts that are…

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Today, we wanted to feature the latest collection of iPhone 5S concepts that are certainly painting an interesting picture, and these designs are building hype to new levels as we move towards an iPhone 5S release date in around 3 months time.

The first two videos below this article are thanks to Concepts iPhone and they imagine what the iPhone 5S could look like from the latest rumors. The videos focus on expected features mixed with some more far-fetched specs that include a thinner Bezel, capacitive Home Button, 4.8-inch display and a number of bright new colors.

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In the third concept video you’ll see a feature that’s been expected on iPhone 5S for a number of weeks, and that’s a fingerprint scanner with a stylish curved display.

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This is one of the most professional concepts we’ve seen in a while, and the so-called “iPhone Fingerprint Scanner” concept is the result of recent rumors. We like the way a fingerprint sensor has replaced the home button and it shows one way the new technology could be introduced at the iPhone 5S launch.

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The second concept lacks the color appeal seen in the first visual, but this is made up by its professionalism. The start of the video includes a sketch of the concept followed by some general rendering.

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We have included a few screenshots on this page from the concept video by Ciccarese Design, so take a look at that video below and then share comment with your thoughts.

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Would you be happy to see the iPhone 5S release date arrive in 3 months with one of these designs?

iPad Mini 2 and iPad 5 inferred by price drops

We’ve been bringing you plenty of insight and leaks about the next-generations of Apple iPads, the iPad mini 2 and iPad 5. A fall release now looks likely for both although today we have more news about price drops on current iPads that may have some potential customers thinking the new iterations are coming soon….

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There has been a lot of speculation about when these two devices will release and some timeframes that were touted have come and gone with no sign of either of the new tablets. Although some are still hoping that both tablets will appear at WWDC that doesn’t appear likely and we recently discussed overcrowding of the launches of the iPhone 5S as well as the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 as it seems plausible to think they may all arrive in the fall.

We also recently discussed some price drops of current iPads at some retailers such as Walmart but now Apple itself is also cutting prices of its refurbished iPad 4 and iPad mini models. For those who haven’t heard of Apple refurbs this means that devices are tested for defects and have their outer casings and batteries replaced and these are then offered for sale at a reduced price that includes an AppleCare one-year warranty. The refurb prices have now been cut by up to 15%, which maybe doesn’t sound like a great amount but is enough to be significant as it’s a further sign that Apple appears to be clearing out stock in preparation for new iPad models.

For example the iPad mini 16GB Wi-Fi model that is priced $329 brand new was sold as a refurb by Apple at $299 and has now been cut to $279. At the other end of the scale the fourth-generation iPad 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model is currently priced at $829 new and a refurb has previously cost $779 and that has now been reduced to $689. Cutting the iPad refurb prices generally means that these will soon become previous generation iPads and hence the assumption that the iPad mini 2 and iPad 5 are coming.

We hesitate to say that we think this means these upcoming tablets will be available sooner than around September or October but of course that’s always a possibility. We will certainly be following events at Apple’s WWDC that kicks off on June 10 and so if there is any news on new iPads we shall, of course pass that on to readers.

You may also be interested in our recent article regarding the possibility of new Corning Lotus XT Glass being used in the iPhone 5S/6, iPad 5 and iPad mini 2. We’re always interested to hear from our readers so tell us if you’re waiting for the iPad mini 2 or iPad 5? Are there any specs or features that you consider deal breakers for either device? Let us know with your comments.