iPhone

Which phone cracks up in iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S3 torture test?

Smartphone sadism continues in this face-off video between the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 from gadget warranty outfit SquareTrade.

After being dropped, drowned, and pounded with various household objects, the lightweight, metal-backed iPhone 5 seems to hold up much better overall than its Android arch-nemesis, but the demonstration is far from scientific. The Galaxy S3 took a serious face shot to its glass screen in the drop test, whereas the iPhone 5 lucked out and bounced off its side edge. … Read more

Consumer Reports checks out Apple Maps, and isn't happy

Apple may think a lot of its new Maps app in iOS 6, but for Consumer Reports, the software remains a work in progress.

"Maps feels like a fresh, new product that has much maturing to do before it can rival paid ($20-$40) apps from leading navigation companies, such as Garmin, Navigon, and TomTom," the organization noted in a post published on its Web site.

Maps has a simple interface that will likely appeal to Apple users, especially those in a car, ready to travel. However, we consider it to be short on options, including many that … Read more

Siri reporting wrong weather results, users say

Some iPhone users report having received wrong weather reports from Siri when they specify city names found in several states, according to MacRumors' forums.

"I live in New York and every time I ask it for the weather it gives me the forecast for New York, Texas," one user complained. Apple's own support board also includes a few posts on the matter. We've contacted Apple and will update the post when we hear back.

Last week Apple suffered a public relations embarrassment after users discovered glitches in the company's update to its iOS 6 mobile … Read more

Apple to allow iPhone 5 reservations, report says

Apple fanboys may finally have a reprieve from the long lines for the iPhone 5.

The electronics giant is expected to launch its in-store product reservation system, Personal Pickup, for the iPhone 5 tonight at 10 p.m. ET, according to 9To5 Mac. Customers can access the system through Apple's store app or Web site between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. each night to reserve available iPhone 5 inventory for the next day, 9To5 Mac said.

Apple has utilized reservations in years past. The system provides buyers with a way to secure a device without having to … Read more

iPhone 5 spoof video features a 795 percent taller screen

It's the logical next step in iPhone development: a much, much, much longer screen. It's 18 percent thinner and 795 percent taller than the previous iPhone. A parody video has popped up on YouTube to tout the phone's ability to reduce "scrolling fatigue" and offer full-body FaceTime.

The video, called "A Taller Change Than Expected" comes from YouTube comedy troupe Satire, makers of the "We're NASA and We Know It" video. NASA Mohawk Guy, complete with stars in his hair, makes a cameo appearance rocking his extra-long iPhone 5 as a guitar.… Read more

The 404 1,136: Where we occupy the Low Line (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- iPhone 5: Say hello to scuffgate?

- Hacker: I've ported Google Maps to iOS 6.

- Subterranean park in Manhattan to stay sunny with fiber-optic skylights (Low Line).

- Coca-cola nails social media by releasing personalized bottles, Justin included.

- Leica cameras for some reason favored by celebrities.

Bathroom break video: iPhone 5 super-glued to ground in Amsterdam.… Read more

iPhone 5's 5M units: Is this what a 'miss' looks like?

Only on Wall Street would this come across as a disappointment.

Earlier today, Apple announced the sale of 5 million iPhone 5s in its debut weekend. That was a lot better than the iPhone4S' first three days last year. Any way you slice it, that's a ton of product -- Nick Bilton of The New York Times noted quite correctly that that's more iPhones than the number of humans born in the U.S. in a single year. Indeed, Apple reported that demand exceeded the company's initial supply.

Still, in the run-up to the iPhone 5's … Read more

Apple releases iOS 6 users guide as e-book

Users diving into Apple's new iOS 6 can get a helping hand from Apple's new guidebook, now available free via iBooks.

The iPhone User Guide For iOS 6 comes packaged as a 153-page e-book detailing all the ins and outs of the new OS. The book is geared for the iPhone, but iPad and iPod Touch owners running iOS 6 can also glean a fair amount of information.

The latest guidebook joins other e-book efforts from Apple, including iOS 5.1 user guides for the iPhone, the iPad, and the iPod Touch. The books are nicely designed, well … Read more

iPhone 5 leaks light, say some users

The iPhone 5 may have the same light leak problem that initially plagued other Apple devices.

Chiming in on the MacRumors forum, one user posted a photo of the new iPhone in relative darkness, showing a small flash of light coming from the top of the device behind the glass panel. Another posted a similar picture displaying the same light leak. Other users have since added to both discussions, reporting the same issue on their new iPhones.

Apple's Discussion Forums have also picked up a few complaints about the light leakage.

Some users say they received a replacement unit … Read more