All Things iOS - Apps, iPhones, iPods, iPads - Discussion

I put my phone in my pocket, and having the headphone jack on the bottom makes much more sense than having it on the top. I guess it all depends on which way you put the phone in your pocket.

 

Maybe now iOS will FINALLY get a proper YouTube app...

Seriously. I was wondering when Apple would drop that app.

iOS:

Spoiler

Android:

Spoiler

 

I just got an iPad on Saturday. What are some good apps that take advantage of the high res on the display? Preferably free, but paid are ok too (got a 50$ Apple store gift card too).

I've already got Tweetbot, Dead Trigger, Infinity Blade II, ESPN ScoreCenter, and a couple others.

 

Hit up this site iPad Apps, iPhone Apps, Deals and Discovery at App Shopper - Popular Recent Changes for iOS

I have over 80 apps and have yet to pay for one. And at this rate I probably will never buy one,

This is a good one for the iPad 3 and it's free. App Shopper: Toy Defense HD (Games)

 

I purchased an iPad 2 from J.J., it's pretty slick. I have to admit, I want an iPhone 5.

 

The Force is strong in Apple.

I'm a hybrid... I have an Android phone and an iPhone.... an iPad and an Android tablet. I like the openness of Android... but the iStuff just works.

 

Apple is getting complacent?

Agree or no?

I think they've become way to "iterative" with iOS and not truly "innovative". I'm still pretty excited to see what they unveil at their iPhone event, and I still think they have the capacity to surprise some people... but they need to wake up and see that their market is changing. They need to bring some really cool stuff to keep people "fascinated" with the iPhone.

 

I think it's a premature question ahead of next week's event, but we'll see.

 

Well, we already know most of the features of iOS 6... again, iterative. iOS is great, but they need to shake things up a bit. I hope they do!

 

I read an article a wee while back ( which, annoyingly, I can't find just now) that highlighted that drastically changing their designs with each new product launch just isn't Apple's way - they find a winning formula and just polish it and tweak it with each new iteration, which is precisely why the new iPhone and iOS6 look just like what's come before.

 

I think that's what a lot of people like about Apple's products too. If you come from an iPhone 3G and move to an iPhone 4S, you're not going to be floundering around figuring out how things work. Even if you come from an old iPod Touch, a new iPhone would feel more like a refined, higher-end version of what you're used to.

It's in that way that I'm having a rather difficult time dissuading my dad from opting for an iPad/iPhone (although Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 have him intrigued): because an Android device (as much as I love my GS3) doesn't just "work" with as little effort in the same way as many Apple devices.

 

Regardless, the iPhone 5 will sell like bonkers... if just for the 4" screen and the LTE.

People like their iStuff and incremental updates are good enough because not everyone wants to change every year (yes... I'm looking at Galaxy S I/II/III... or even any Android phone user).

The new Retina MBP looks almost exactly like the old one sans the optical drive and it still sells at over $2k because of the high rez display. Even the iPad 2 and the "new iPad" are almost design-wise identical but they still sell like crazy because of another resolution upgrade.

Larger screen+LTE (and hopefully better battery) is just enough for the iFolks to keep on buying... it's good enough for me (my iPhone 4 has been off contract since July). But maybe I'm different... I'm not expecting a 1mm thin, 5" screen with 1 year battery that shoots lasers from Apple... just a phone that works and let me surf the web and run apps without crashing or needing a reboot every other day (yes... I am looking at my Android phone with indignation).

 

I think this is a little dramatic, no?

 

Maybe I'm reading too many tech blog comments where people are expecting the next iPhone to be a time machine or it's not good enough.

Most of the rumors have the iPhone 5 looking just like the 4/4S but just longer and while I understand the sentiment of wanting something to look more different... I think it's fine. While the 4S was only a slight bump over the 4 (and still sold like crazy)... the 5 should have enough "new" features to drive AAPL upward (and even if it didn't... there are too many iFans anyhow).

 

I think that this is what people expect from the 5.

LTE.
Bigger screen.
Updated look.

I don't think any of those are unreasonable expectations.

 

Is iPhone 5 going to be released for T-Mobile? My friend has an hacked 4S on T-Mobile but only running on 2G speeds..

 

From what I've read, the iPhone won't officially be on T-Mobile. T-Mobile is updating their network so iPhones can get 3G/4G though.

Sent from my HTC One S

 

Yea, between the spectrum they acquired from AT&T and their other holdings, they're refarming their 1900MHz band for 3G/fauxG.

 

Here's an Engadget article talking about TMobile and the iPhone:

T-Mobile coaxing unlocked iPhone users to its network with Value Plan push, aggressive in-store service -- Engadget

 

It's a shame they can't get a cut of AT&T's 850 MHz band as well -- they have been phasing out the 1900 MHz band and sticking with 850 MHz. I had a Samsung Omnia 7 that only supported the 1900 MHz band and data connectivity was extremely spotty compared to a phone that used 850 MHz.

 

You'll find 1900MHz support in larger urban areas. It's more efficient, but 850MHz is more resilient. It's a tradeoff. 850MHz is the default deployment right now though. You'll only find 1900MHz in really population-dense areas.

 

So I guess it's getting harder for Apple to hide their new phone design... most of the rumors were true... 4" screen, 1136x640 rez, LTE, taller form factor, thinner, lighter and similar look to the iPhone4/4S.

 

A6. I'm guessing it's an A15 @ 32NM.

Samsung A15 cores with an unknown PowerVR GPU...

 

Pretty much what we expected. Nothing to be blown away by. A solid phone continues to be solid.

 

If this is an A15 device, it's the first in the world. That's something I DID NOT expect.

Also, apps that have been updated for the larger screen look MUCH better. They look more modern.

 

If it is, why the heck are Samsung still messing around with A9 in their own handsets?
Would they really manufacture something for Apple that's so significantly superior to what they're using in their own handsets?

 

Well, like I've said... Exynos 5250 has been sampling for quite a while now. I'm thinking that Apple put a giant order in. Between the iPhone and Samsung's devices, I don't think Samsung has the fab capacity.

Now, since Samsung Semiconductor is a separate arm of Samsung, Apple's order probably got priority since it was massive and it was a guaranteed sale.

 

I find it interesting that Apple is always vague about the CPU... it's always just "x times faster".

I'm assuming the A6 is dual-core which is also another reason for the obfuscation... considering there are quad-core phones coming out.

At least they are reportedly keeping battery life good even though it now has LTE.

 

And it's decisions like that that means Apple know they can get away with throwing their weight around.
If this really is the one component Apple can't sensibly source elsewhere, why make it easy for them.

 

I'm hoping there's no cellular issues with this metal backing. I imagine they would have tested that pretty heavily after the last antennae screw up, but still.. I wanted to like the black, but I almost feel like the "slate" backing is too dark.. wish it was more gun metal

Lots of my friends are angry about the Lightning connector, but I for one like it. It's reversible so no fumbling around to put it in the right way at night [edit: that's what she said?].. Thoughts?

Edit: And if you think about it, does Apple need Samsung to make them chips? what's stopping them from spending a fraction of their billions to make their own chip plant?

 

Depends how invested you are in the old connector.
If you have lots of docks/cable etc or a really expensive stereo system with an iPod dock, changing the connector is a giant middle-finger from Apple.

If you've just got a cable or two, it's not a problem.

 

That's a good point.. They're selling converters, but they seem bulky to me. I mean it had to happen eventually though. Everyone wants smaller phones, so they can't really expect to keep the same huge connector that they've had for like 9 years..

 

I think whoever came up with the name 'EarPods' should be kneecapped as a warning to others.

 

yeah, no kidding. Who thought that was a good idea?

 

The iPhone 5 appears to be the MacBook Pro 13 of smartphones. If you're already decided you're going to use Apple's OS, the build quality and refinement look great. I'm sure owner satisfaction will be quite high among people already decided on iOS. But in any sort of back-to-back comparison by an OS-agnostic individual, it's a real head-scratcher. Engadget did a back-to-back-to-back comparison between the iPhone 5, the Galaxy S3, and the Lumia 920, and I'm having a lot of trouble seeing why a platform-agnostic individual would choose the iPhone 5 out of that selection.

iPhone 5 vs the competition: fight! -- Engadget

 

That article doesn't make them seem all that different. Yeah, the iPhone has a smaller screen, but the phone is smaller itself. And the lack of external storage could be a downside for some people, but other than that, it seems pretty similar spec-wise.

 

The reason I'm getting the 5 is simply due to the fact that I'm already invested. If I had the money to replace the apps and stuff, I would venture out to the S3 or the 920 honestly. It comes down to preference too. Some wont like the larger screens. Some like Apple's customer service (honestly it's pretty fantastic). Some like their cross-system integration capabilities. And the OS is crazy easy and clean.

If ever there was a time to switch from apple, it would be now. And that's based purely on the fact that they changed the connector. Once you get invested in new docks, cables, etc, it's going to be more difficult to leave.

 

Compared to the Lumia 920, the iPhone doesn't bring any new camera technology to the table. Setting the misleading-ad controversy aside, third-party tests have revealed that the Lumia 920's camera is a game-changer. The iPhone 5's camera sounds like basically the 4S's camera all over again. Which is a perfectly good camera, but Apple is staying in the same place while the competition moves forward.

Compared to the Galaxy S3, the iPhone is a LOT smaller screen (4.0 instead of 4.8) but only marginally lighter (0.8 ounces).

Compared to both, it loses out on onboard storage (the Lumia packs 32 GB as standard equipment instead of a $100 extra, and the Galaxy S3 has expandable storage).

 

Not a bad launch for the iPhone 5. Expected the larger screen, but I thought Apple would've held back the A6 for the next iPad. All in all, nothing mind blowing but a good upgrade over the 4/4S.

 

I love the iPhone build quality. I'll probably wait until I can find a factory unlocked iPhone 5 at a reasonable price.

 

You better pack a lunch, it'll be a while.

 

I guess it's the price I have to pay for using the $50 unlimited GoPhone plan. Unlimited AT&T data is worth more to me than Straight Talk and being able to purchase a cheaper iPhone.

 

I love my 4S but I really wanted a bigger/ wider screen. After playing around with an S III I've fallen in love with its screen real estate.

The only thing the iPhone has over the SIII IMHO is the build/quality. The S III feels cheap. Esp. the back cover...taking it off to get to the battery I felt as if I was gonna break the thing. Other than that I love that phone. Navigating through the OS feels very fluid and smooth.

So for me, I personally was disappointed by the taller appearance of the 5, and really not so impressed with its technology. From what I see, Apple is playing catch up to competitors such as Samsung and their Galaxy/Note devices. So I'll be waiting on the 64GB ver of the S III that's supposedly coming out in October, along with jelly-bean.

Now where's that Android thread...

 

Big screen, solid build quality, light weight? Choose 2 of 3.

Build quality and light weight: iPhone 5
Build quality and big screen: Lumia 920
Big screen and light weight: Galaxy S3

 

The S3 still has great build quality. It may feel like cheap plastic, but its very durable. The iPhone is much easier to crack with its cheap glass shell.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

Feel free to substitute "luxurious solidity" or "subjectively pleasing tactile materials" or whatever term is more accurate. Build quality probably wasn't the right phrase, but I think you know what I was getting at.

 

That's something many iPhone users wish they could do... replace the battery.

(and maybe an SD card)

 

The "bend not break" philosophy can lead to things that feel insubstantial, "cheap," or "about to break," but it doesn't mean they actually will break. The Galaxy S3 (aka Ativ S when running WP8) back cover is one example:



Russian review shows the Samsung ATIV S can indeed 'bend it like Beckham' | wpcentral | Windows Phone News, Forums, and Reviews

The Vaio S's screen hinge is another. I'm not defending the tactile feel of either--it definitely loses out to the "solid" feel of the iPhone and the Lumia 900/920--just the objective utility of the flexible design.

 

Apple's never been one to play into the "speeds and feeds" bandwagon. They know that terms like "2.5 Ghz" and "quad-core" are lost on the general consumer. Instead, they'd rather talk about the new features and experiences gained by a particular part of the device. Anyone with a current iPhone can imagine how "2x the speed" feels...heck it's an impressive blurb to prospective customers as well.

The iPhone brand will sell this device to new smartphone buyers. It has a pedigree and reputation that cannot be refuted. These people see iPhones all the time, their friends/family seem to never have trouble with them, ditto the press reviewers, and iPhone continues to have a aura of "special" about them. To many there's "iPhone" and then there's "everything else."

As such, these people will likely gravitate toward it out of inertia. It reminds me of the midsize sedan market in the US:

There's plenty of solid entries from Ford, Kia/Hyundai, Nissan, even Chrysler. But the perennial best seller since 97 has been Toyota's Camry. It's seen as the "safe" choice..."no one really goes wrong with a Camry, nor would they be embarrassed to have it in their driveway" people say to themselves. So much so that many buyers don't compare the competition and if they do it's only the (admittedly more engaging to drive) Honda Accord.

I can see why Apple, like Toyota, might be afraid of radically changing the hardware and software design of their cashcow. Vanilla sells.

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

 

The iPhone is a fantastic smartphone for the everyman. I recommend an iPhone to anyone that asks me for a recommendation, despite owning a Galaxy Nexus. I love the Android phone platform, but I don't want to recommend a device to someone that might frustrate them. The iPhone is a safe bet.