In the top five most popular cameras in the Flickr community Apple’s iPhone takes the first three spots with iPhone 5, iPhone 4s and iPhone 4. Clearly more people take photos with their iPhone than any other camera and upload it to Flickr. The popular online photo management and sharing giant now has more to offer.

Flickr has updated its iPhone app for iOS 7 which now features auto-upload feature. I could not test the feature at the time of writing as the app refused to let me sign in and gave an error which said that it could connect to Flickr servers.

Photos last a lifetime on Flickr where every picture is saved and displayed in full resolution. And with a free terabyte of space, your photos will always have a place to call home.

Flickr for iPhone gives you 1TB of storage which in comparison to Apple’s PhotoStream 1000 image upload limit is probably the most amazing feature of the app. It also includes free filters and stores all photos in full resolution.

The app also features privacy settings that allow you easily set photos as private or public. The latest version also includes auto straighten for your photos using the Flickr editor. Goggle sign-in issues have also been reportedly fixed.

If you had been looking for a seamless photo uploading and sharing service then Flickr for iPhone is certainly worth giving a try. Let us know if you’re using Flickr and if you like the service.

According to a new report Apple will be releasing iOS 7 beta 6 in the coming week which will reportedly be the last beta update before the gold master (GM) seed.

BGR published a report today claiming that sources familiar with Apple’s plan for iOS 7 release date believe that iOS 7 GM seed will be made available to carriers and Apple partners on September 5th. Developers will get the GM build on September 10th which is the rumored date for Apple’s iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C keynote event.

After Apple and its partners are comfortable with the gold master build, the company will release it to developers on September 10th, the day of the company’s iPhone event where we should see the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C make their first appearances — and they will of course be the first devices to run iOS 7 out of the box.

Public release of the iOS 7 could be a week prior to the release of the new hardware and the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C would sell with iOS 7 pre-installed. Even in the 5th beta of iOS 7 the software is quite stable unlike previous beta versions where the phone would crash or restart.

Most applications we use on a daily basis work just fine with iOS 7 however, developers would need to rush iOS 7 updates for their apps since some features in photography apps like sharing or exporting to camera album don’t always work.

Apple on Tuesday posted a new TV ad spot for iPhone called ‘FaceTime Every Day’. The ad is similar in concept to the previously released ads ‘Music Every Day‘ and ‘Photos Every Day‘.

The ad shows iPhone customers using FaceTime feature in different locations and situations. It ends with a message that says, “everyday more people connect face to face on the iPhone than any other phone”.

The latest series of TV ad focusses on the popularity of photos, music and now the use of FaceTime on the iPhone. iPhone has been the most popular camera to take photos according to the number of uploads to social sharing sites and iTunes music store is the number one digital store.

iPhone product line is due for a refresh this fall and as rumors about new product launch rise Apple experiences low sales for the existing models. The ad is released just at the time when most news outlets are discussing the next-gen iPhone. With the latest ad Apple would hope to pull customers interest towards iPhone 5.

According to many reports the next-gen iPhone is expected to feature a finger print scanner, most likely, under the home button. In addition to that, new camera hardware and new faster processors would be a part of the next-gen launch.

Apple has been long rumored to be working on a cheap iPhone model which would reportedly feature a plastic body. The company has put its recent efforts to make the iPhone available on all-major carriers in the U.S and worldwide. Its next efforts seem to be to introduce a lower-priced “cheap” iPhone to dominate the mid-priced smartphone range.

Samsung is a major competitor to Apple and the Korean giant offers smartphones at all price-tiers from low to expensive. Apple’s iPhone is also available at different price points with the iPhone 4 being free and iPhone 4S at $99 with a two-year contract. However, these models often do not run the latest software or all the features due to hardware limitations.

Apple’s aim to introduce a new cheap iPhone model could be to make sure the hardware is capable of running the latest innovations in the iOS but reduce the cost with the use of cheap materials or using lower-resolution cameras.

The web has been abuzz with reports of leaked images of the prototypes of cheap plastic iPhone model. Macrumors and Coccarese Design have gathered mock-up  images of the rumored iPhone which show the plastic iPhone in different color casing. These images are purely based on speculation and reports published by the media.

Apple is expected to unveil iPhone 5S later this fall and the company is also rumored to announce the cheap iPhone during the same event. Apple’s executives have on record mentioned that the company would never produce a “cheap” phone. The company has a history of denying certain products publicly but then later introducing the product as a surprise move to shock and confuse competitors.

For the first time Apple used white iPhone 5 in the entire presentation and even the promotional video featured the white model. Black iPhone 5 running iOS 7 was noticeably absent. After the announcement of iOS 7 when Apple updated its website with information about the version of the mobile OS again black iPhone 5 was missing and almost all of the new features of iOS 7 were showcased using the white model.

The use of white model of iPhone 5 over the black seems to be a deliberate move by Apple. Jony Ive, now the SVP of design, is known to prefer simplistic design and probably felt the white color iPhone 5 running iOS 7 was a better choice to showcase the new design of the software.

The redesign has received both criticism and appreciation. Some seem to like the fresh youthful appeal while some feel the entire OS now looks more like an Android device. However, it’s important to note that iOS 7 is still in beta stage and as the release date nears Apple will iron out most of the issues.

Since, Apple has mostly used white iPhone 5 showing iOS 7 we have created a gallery of black iPhone 5 running the latest software update. Check it out below and let us know what you think about the upcoming update.

Apple’s highly anticipated mobile software iOS 7 was unveiled during the headline keynote event at WWDC on Monday. The keynote began with a video about Apple’s design philosophy which gave a clear indication of some drastic changes we were about to witness.

iOS 7 was introduced with a video where Jony Ive, SVP of Design, shared the concept behind the look and feel of the next major version of iOS. As the video revealed photos of iPhone 5 running iOS 7 it showed a whole new direction the company was heading towards. This new direction was about getting rid of unnecessary ornamentation and about bringing a sense of focus and purpose to the OS.

From the lockscreen to the homescreen to the native apps, the design screams one word, “flat”. iOS 7 no longer features the heavy wooden, linen or leather textures. The design brings focus to the features of the app and what you can accomplish by utilising every pixel on the screen to deliver content to users.

The use of translucent overlays for control center, share sheets, keyboard and even Siri helps bring about a sense of understanding the functional hierarchy of features rather than hiding the unseen screen space with skeuomorphic textures. This also brings a fresh new look to your phone every time you change the wallpaper as the overlays reflect the colors underneath it.

Every element on iOS 7 has been redesigned from the fonts to the icons and even a new color palette. iOS 7 is a bold move from Apple, a move that shows the company’s ability to “think different”. It’s a well known fact that Steve Jobs was the one who was in favor of ornamentation and heavy textures. But, with Jony Ive as the head of software and hardware design the company has taken a whole new direction and whole new perspective of how iOS should be designed.

Tim Cook in an interview shared that Steve Jobs told Cook to never run Apple thinking “what Steve would have done” rather he advised Cook to do what was right for Apple. The introduction of iOS 7 is a perfect example of Cook’s leadership taking Apple to a different level.

iOS 7 doesn’t “revolutionise” the existing mobile OS, it didn’t showcase any features that haven’t existed on other mobile platforms however, it does show that Apple is willing to let go of the “old” to make way for what’s “better”.

I have never been against the use of ornamentation on iOS. In fact, it gives Apple’s iOS an exclusive elegance that has a “wow” factor. The wooden bookshelf in Newsstand and iBooks tries to connect technology with real life and brings about a sense of bridging the gap between the real and the virtual. However, I can clearly see how the leather stitched Notes app on the iPad takes away a lot of functional screen space. I think iOS had reached a point where balancing the real and the virtual ornaments had become an argument about design over functionality and focus.

With iOS 7 Jony Ive has tried to bring back the focus on functionality by simplifying and getting rid of the unnecessary. However, it’s worth noting that iOS 7 doesn’t let go of its connection with the real world. The OS now responds to motion to create a sense of depth as you tilt your device it shows the underlying content. Even as you change your wallpaper the reflection of the colors of the photo you choose has a very noticeable impact on the entire OS.

Apple didn’t deliver any breakthrough features in iOS 7 but, it has begun a new design journey which is modern, simplistic and unobtrusive in every sense. First look at iOS 7 may create a sense of unfamiliarity but, the more you look at it the more you understand the purpose behind such profound changes.

Apple recently aired a new iPhone 5 TV ad spot called “Music Every Day”. The ad campaign is similar to “Photos Every Day” ad spot. The latest advertisement from Apple highlights the fact that more people enjoy music on their iPhone that any other phone.

Both music and photos ad spots target the fact that Apple has a huge customer base and that the customer who use iPhones are very satisfied with their phones. This campaign is just an extension of the recent web campaign where Apple posted a new page to their website titled “iPhone 5 – Loving it is easy. That’s why so many people do.” In the online campaign the Cupertino, Calif. based company highlights the fact that the iPhone has received nine straight J.D. Power and Associates awards for customer satisfaction.

Apple is facing increasing competition from Samsung as the smartphone market is growing; both tech giants are looking to capture larger market share. Samsung recently unveiled the Samsung Galaxy 4, which boasts a number of new software features. Apple’s new iPhone won’t be unveiled before this fall, so it was natural for Apple to launch ad campaigns for the iPhone 5 to capture customers interest even as other companies launch newer products.

Even as Android device makers are offering devices in screen sized larger than 4 inches, Apple’s next iPhone would continue to feature the same 4 inch screen that we saw in the iPhone 5. The company is expected to introduce new hardware features such as a fingerprint sensor, new camera and ship the new iPhone 5S with iOS 7.

Late Thursday night, Apple aired a new iPhone TV advertisement, called “Photos Every Day” focused entirely on the device’s camera. This ad is very different than other iPhone commercials that have been aired in the past with words flashing across the screen, followed by a shot of an app that describes that word.

This ad is a full minute long and focuses entirely on people using the iPhone’s camera in everyday situations to take photos and videos on a hike, a run, at the beach, on a walk as well as to to take random photos of plants, art, family, friends, and shots of landscapes.

The ad also shows other Photos features in use, such as photo editing, Panorama, and flash. Apple has improved its camera on the iPhone greatly over the past few generations, adding flash in the iPhone 4 and as well as an 8 megapixel camera in iPhone 4S. As a result, they ended the ad with the following line:

Every day, more photos are taken with the iPhone than any other camera.

It is unclear if Apple also plans to do this with other features of the iPhone such as Siri or perhaps even iOS itself. However, this type of ad campaign, with shots of the device in use in real life has worked for Apple’s competitor, Samsung which has advanced quickly in the smartphone market with its line of Galaxy S smartphones.

So far, from comments across the web, it appears that customers are responding positively to this new ad direction. It will take some time to see if that does help push up iPhone sales in the near future.

{Via 9to5Mac}

With Apple’s iPhone 5S expected later this year, carriers are beginning to shift around their plans and smartphone upgrade structure to match the upcoming refresh. On Friday, Verizon reported that they will now be extending the wait time for an upgrade to 24 months, up from the current 20 months that was required. The company released details about the extension in a report from The Verge, saying, “In alignment with the terms of the contract, customers on a two-year agreement will be eligible for an upgrade at 24 months vs. today’s early upgrade eligibility at 20 months.”

It is unclear why Verizon has decided to make this change as they did not give a reason for doing so. With this extension,the company will now require all customers with expiring contracts to wait the full 24 months. Customers with contracts expiring in January 2014 will reportedly be the first to get affected by the change. The new 24 month rule will also change a number of other things, including credits through the company’s New Every Two program, which will no longer be honored.

Customers will still be allowed to share upgrades but will be restricted by device category meaning that smartphone upgrades can be used on updating to a new smartphone. The same is also applicable to tablets, stopping the upgrades from being interchangeable. Verizon appears to be the only carrier that is adopting this new 24 month waiting period, with Sprint and AT&T keeping the same 20 month structure as before. Verizon had briefly mentioned in the past several weeks that it could easily transition to contract free plans if it wanted to, similar to T-Mobile’s new “Uncarrier” plans.

{Via AppleInsider}

French site Noweherelse.fr released a report with images of a purported iPad 5 screen, which shows a thinner bezel, similar to the current iPad mini. Reports and mockups from earlier this year also showed a full sized iPad next to the iPad mini with a very similar.

The new iPad 5 is also expected to use the same color scheme as the current iPhone 5, and iPad mini, with the Black bezel matching with the slate back and the white bezel matching with the silver. Case designs from early last month also suggest that the iPad 5 will be very similar to the iPad mini. It is unclear when the iPad 5 will debut, although a number of sources have suggested that an event may be held as early as this month.

Others suggest that Apple will release it during its normal Fall timeframe, as they did with the iPad mini and the 4th generation iPad. It is not surprising that Apple is adopting the IPad mini design for its iPad 5, especially when considering that it is the only iOS device that has yet remained unchanged from the black and silver design and the thick bezel.

{Via MacRumors}

Late last month, T-Mobile announced that they would officially be carrying the iPhone, with the company also releasing a software update for users of unlocked iPhones, which added LTE and Visual Voicemail. Upon announcing that the company would carry the iPhone, the company also stated a release date of April 12th.

On Friday, T-Mobile released the iPhone 5 across the country, and the iPhone 4S and 4 in certain areas that support the technology. T-Mobile released the iPhone with its new “Uncarrier” plans, which start at $50/month with no contract. T-Mobile set up the plans differently than other carriers, separating the subsidized prices and included them into a 24 month payment plan.

Alongside the official launch, T-Mobile also released an ad highlighting the availability of the iPhone.

It’s the phone that’s revolutionizing phones. Make sure it’s running on the carrier that’s revolutionizing wireless. Introducing iPhone 5 on T-Mobile. With our advanced nationwide 4G network, and no more restrictive annual contracts required, only T-Mobile lets your iPhone 5 be as great as an iPhone 5.

Verizon’s CEO Lowell C. McAdam has talked of Verizon having the potential to unveil contract free plans, although it is unclear if the company will do so in the near future.

{Via MacRumors}

According to Topeka Capital markets analyst Brian White, Apple’s next iPhone, being called the iPhone 5S will include the same screen size as the current iPhone 5, a larger camera, and a new fingerprint sensor.

Previously, White had reported that the iPhone would have multiple screen sizes similar to the range of Android devices. However, he is now reversing this claim and is reporting that Apple will be retaining the same screen size as the current iPhone 5. This new claim reportedly comes from a trade show in China where his sources detailed the information.

In the report, White also noted that the volume buttons will be arranged differently and that the fingerprint sensor will be the differentiating feature for this generation. This is in line with all of Apple’s other iPhone features such as Siri on the iPhone 4S and the speed bump on the iPhone 3GS. Brian White has reported on a number of iOS devices in the past, including the iPad and previous generations of iPhone.

In his report, White also mentioned some details on the cheaper iPhone:

Strangely enough, the lower-priced iPhone is still being called the “iPhone mini”; however, the general consensus (albeit a few disagreed and expect a slightly smaller screen) was that this new device would actually have the same screen size (i.e., 4-inches) as the iPhone 5. However, the “iPhone mini” will have a curved back casing made of colored plastic and will be thicker than the iPhone 5. We also learned the pricing could be a bit higher than our recently raised expectation, reaching as high as $400.

Typically, solid details on an iPhone refresh do not come to light until the release date gets closer. However, with already existing leaks and more hardware leaks on the horizon, the iPhone 5S is all but confirmed for release later this year.

{Via MacRumors}

On Friday, T-Mobile USA released a carrier update, bringing LTE and visual voicemail to the unlocked iPhone 5. Customers who have an unlocked iPhone 5 will now be able to obtain these feature via the software update. The reason for T-Mobile releasing this update is because the carrier is officially carrying the iPhone 5, which uses the company’s LTE network. T-Mobile has also reportedly updated its support forums with information about T-Mobile users, who will now be able to get all of the new features.

iPhone 5 users with a T-Mobile SIM card will receive visual voicemail, the Commercial Mobile Alert System, as well as LTE on the company’s AWS spectrum. With the company officially set to carry the iPhone and fully support unlocked iPhones, T-Mobile will now be able to compete directly with the nation’s other leading carriers, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.

The carrier update will also add other features such as HD Voice and even improvements in battery life by reworking the network. T-Mobile has over two million unlocked iPhones on its network and is reportedly adding over 100,000 more each month. With the company dedicated to improving its network, and with the large number of users on the network with unlocked devices, T-Mobile is sure ot find success with the iPhone on its network.

{Via AppleInsider — Image Credit: Engadget}

With the second fiscal quarter of 2013 (first calendar quarter) at an end, Apple Inc. (AAPL) is once again set to report its quarterly earnings. AAPL will announce the Q2 2013 earnings results on April 23, exactly 3 months after they announced the Q1 earnings of 2013. The company notified the public of this earnings call by posting the date on its investor relations page.

Normally, Apple’s earnings calls start around 4:30 PM Eastern Time at around 5:00 PM Eastern / 2:00 PM Pacific because stock trading, which happens on the East Coast stops for the day around 4:20 PM. Apple proposed that this quarter, the company will record revenue between $41 and $43 billion and gross margin between 37.5% and 38.5%. Majority of the revenue will come from the sale of the iPad mini and the iPhone 5.

Three months ago, the company reported one of its most successful quarters, increasing its revenue and profit each year. However, in recent weeks and months, the company has experienced a major drop in stock price after reports began suggesting that Apple was no longer and innovative company and that it had nothing new to move towards now that Steve Jobs was gone.

It will be interesting to see how Apple’s CEO Tim Cook will handle the earnings call, especially since many of the negative reports on the company’s innovation emerged very recently.

{Via MacRumors}

According to a report from O Globo, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has reduced the price of the iPhone in Brazil by a substantial amount, lowering them down to over 25%. The Cupertino company lowered the price of the 8 GB iPhone 4 to R$ 1099 (US$544) from R$ 1499 (US$741) and also dropped the 16 GB iPhone 4S from R$ 1999 (US$989) to R$ 1699 (US$840).

In Brazil, AAPL does give customers the option for 12 month financing, however, if a customer pays up front, they will be awarded a bonus 10% discount, lowering the price of the iPhone even more. After bringing some of Foxconn’s operations to Brazil, and lowering the company’s overall costs, the price of the iPhone is likely reflecting the change. It is unclear however, if the the new price reduction will affect the iPhone 5 as it is not sold in Brazil’s online store.

In the US, the 8GB iPhone 4 is available unsubsidized for $450 before taxes, which could easily bring it up to over $500. Even so, it appears that with the 15% discounts, Brazilians are still paying a higher amount for unlocked iPhones, as opposed to their US counterparts. Apple has begun hiring for employees at its retail locations in Brazil, ensuring that customers in the country recieve the same experience as all others do around the world. It remains unclear if the price reductions will reflect in other markets around the world.

{Via MacRumors}

Until Tuesday, all of the major carriers in the United States carried the iPhone 5 but T-Mobile. A number of regional carriers also carried the device including C-Spire and Virgin Mobile. On Tuesday, T-Mobile announced at their ‘Uncarrier’ event that they would be officially carrying the iPhone starting April 12th. Until this announcement, T-Mobile was the only major carrier in the United States without the iPhone.

With T-Mobile’s new ‘Uncarrier’ payment plan, customers will be able to get the iPhone 5 with $100 off of the original retail plan followed by a monthly payment of $20. Customers will continue to do this until they fully pay off the cost of the iPhone. The company will also be offering the iPhone 4S for $70 off the original price and $20 per month for 24 months, as well as the iPhone 4 for $15 off the original price and $15 per month for 24 months. Normally, with AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, customers pay the full $199 price, in addition to the subsidy payment which is retained if a user does not upgrade to another phone in 2 years.

This is an important day for people who love their iPhone but can’t stand the pain other carriers put them through to own one,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA. “We feel their pain. I’ve felt the pain. So we’re rewriting the rules of wireless to provide a radically simple, affordable iPhone 5 experience — on an extremely powerful network.

T-Mobile noted during the event that in addition to its special plans, the company will also be the only carrier to offer ‘Wideband Audio’ or HD Voice. Plans for the iPhone will include unlimited talk, text and 3G data, plus 500MB of 4G data for $50 per month. Normally, plans such as these would start at $70 and climb with extra additions.

T-Mobile is giving customers the option to add 2GB of 4G data for an extra $10/month per line, or $20/month for unlimited 4G. As more lines are added, the prices change with additional lines costing $30/month for the first, and $10/month for each additional. With the iPhone 5 allowing 4G LTE, T-Mobile rolled out its LTE network with the announcement to the following areas: Baltimore; Houston; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Phoenix; San Jose, Calif.; and Washington, D.C.

{Via MacRumors}

According to a report from Nowhereelse.fr, a pair of alleged parts for the iPhone 5S have surfaced online. The parts are reportedly from supplier Moumantai and includes an alleged home button, vibrator, and the volume/mute flex cable. The home button appears to be the same but attaches to the main logic board and then routes through the body of the iPhone 5S differently than in the current iPhone.

Apple has been rumored to be including a fingerprint sensor in the next generation iPhone, a feature that doesn’t appear to have changed the layout of the flex cable. The parts in these images may even be a prototype for the current iPhone 5 that was never used.

The placement of all these parts of on the flex cable is much more compact than in the current iPhone 5, likely pointing to a device with more internal space for other parts such as battery. There haven’t been many part leaks for the rumored iPhone 5S, however, they will likely begin to appear as the release date gets closer. The iPhone 5S is already expected to carry the same external design as the iPhone 5, but will likely have different internals and a few new features.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple Inc. (AAPL) launched a new online campaign, adding “Why You’ll Love iPhone” section to their website. The promotion which highlights a number of reasons why customers love the iPhone, is seen on the front splash page of the company’s website, as well as an email newsletter and a dedicated “Why iPhone” page.

There’s iPhone.
Then there’s everything else.

What makes an iPhone unlike anything else? Maybe it’s that it lets you do so many things. Or that it lets you do so many things so easily. Those are two reasons iPhone owners say they love their iPhone. But there are many others as well.

On the “Why iPhone” page, Apple highlights a number of key features that make the iPhone attractive to its customers including the detail in the iPhone’s design, the Retina display, battery life, powerful and efficient A6 chip, as well as the company’s eight consecutive J.D. Power customer satisfaction awards.

By introducing this new campaign only a day after Samsung released its Galaxy S4 smartphone, it appears that Apple is reminding consumers why the iPhone is deemed one of the best smartphones. Samsung has gotten a leg up in the market against Apple, airing people based ads as opposed to Apple’s ads focused on the product.

With this campaign, alongside its new iPhone 5 ad campaign which centers on apps, Apple appears to be focusing entirely on user experience and is hoping to attract customers through usability as opposed to focusing on technical specifications.

{Via MacRumors}

China Mobile is looking to make its mark in the LTE market, with an announcement from the company noting that it is planning a major LTE push to improve its network and implement it more broadly.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the company is looking to spend $7 billion in order to improve its LTE network, setting up a structure to support the iPhone 5. Currently, China Mobile’s data speeds aren’t known to be the fastest and despite the company not offering the iPhone, there are a number of devices in use on the network.

This is similar to T-Mobile USA which does not officially offer the iPhone but allows users to unlock them and operate them on its network. Although recent reports have been suggesting that China Mobile will, in fact, offer the iPhone 5, the company did come out and say that there has been “no progress” on negotiations with Apple.

While China Mobile has been in talks with Apple for years over a potential deal to offer the iPhone, Chief Executive Li Yue said that there had been “no progress” to report. In January, Mr. Xi met Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook in Beijing and discussed cooperation, raising expectations that China Mobile would soon begin offering the iPhone.

China Mobile would be a key partner for Apple, which faces fierce competition from Samsung Electronics and other rivals offering smartphones powered by Google Inc.’s Android operating system.

It is unlikely that the iPhone 5 will remain off of China Mobile’s network for long, as it is common that Apple will eventually strike deals with major carriers that could potentially benefit them. China has been a major source of revenue for Apple, with the company experiencing heavy sales of its products in the region. Just last month, an analytics report suggested that iOS and Android devices were expected to hit 246 million units in the one month alone.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple is continuing their word-friendly ad campaign for the iPhone 5, posting two new television spots, called “Brilliant” and “Discover”. These ads, like the others, focus on several apps from the over 700,000 iOS applications available on the App Store. The apps are then described using several words such as ‘sweet’ and ‘rise’.

The two new ads join Apple’s previous spots, ‘Alive’, ‘Together’ and ‘Hollywood’ which all highlight several apps including Gojee, Cards, Mike V: Skateboard Party, Starbucks,iBooks, MyScript Calculator, Philips Hue, GarageBand, The Elements for iPhone 4, Apple Maps, Cleartune, Solar Walk, iPhoto, Yelp, Shazam, and Infinity Blade 2.

Apple continues to add to its number of television spots, focusing specifically on the applications available on the App Store instead of the actually technology on the phone. Late Apple CEO Steve Jobs mentioned on several occasions that the screen is the focal point of the device and that this is where the entire experience of the iPhone is.

Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 5S this year and even a cheaper iPhone the following year, which will likely add more ads similar to this campaign, focusing on the use of the device as opposed to the technology in it.

{Via MacRumors}

According to a report from China Times, Apple is looking to include both fingerprint sensors and NFC (Near Field Communication) e-wallet features to the iPhone 5S. Apple has reportedly drafted a contract with Taiwan’s Chipbond Science and Technology in order to develop the fingerprint sensors. The report also notes that both the fingerprint sensors and the NFC capabilities will work in tandem, allowing users to make purchases and verify their payment with their fingerprints.

Earlier this month, Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities reported that Apple was looking to include a fingerprint sensor in the iPhone 5S as well as an improved camera and A7 chip. He also mentioned that next iPhone would have the same design as the iPhone 5 and would release in the June/July timeframe. This isn’t the first time that reports like these have surfaced, however, Kuo has a solid track record, having accurately reported on a number of Apple product releases and refreshes.

Apple has reportedly been working on including a fingerprint sensor in the iPhone since last year, when the Cupertino company acquired security firm AuthenTec for $356 million. The firm was acquired specifically for the its “Smart Sensor” technology, which is only 1.30 millimeters thick and can scan 500 pixels per inch. Kuo noted previously that this “Smart Sensor” would be strategically placed under the home button for easy scanning when prompted. When not activated, the sensor would remain off under the button.

Apple is setting itself up for a much improved iPhone e-wallet experience, with the introduction of Passbook last year and now the rumored fingerprint sensor. This is the first time that the company would utilize the bezel on its iOS devices for anything other than holding the device and to house the home button.

{Via AppleInsider}

Fortune bases the ranking on nine key categories: Innovation, People management, Use of corporate assets, Social responsibility, Quality of management, Financial soundness, Long-term investment, Quality of products/services and Global competitiveness.

These come from a large poll from executives, analysts and directors in the field. It is not surprising that Apple scored #1 on all of the fields, and it is also not surprising that Google is trailing the Cupertino, California company at #2.

Apple has had a rough time lately with its stock price in a free fall and the widely publicized failure of its Maps feature. However, it remains a financial juggernaut, posting $13 billion in net income last quarter, making it the most profitable company in the world during that period. The company has its fanatical customer base, and it still refuses to compete on price, making the iconic iPhone and iPad products that are still widely seen as prestige devices. Competition may be stiff, but so far it remains behind: In Q4 2012, the iPhone 5 was the world’s best selling smartphone, followed in second place by the iPhone 4S.

Apple has been consistent over the past few years, making sure to set records with its quarterly earnings each year. The company has had issues with its stock lately, with analysts, consumers, and shareholders concerned about the future of the company. However, recent rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a number of projects, including a redesign of the iPad, a new iPhone, an Apple television set, and even a Apple smart watch.

Apple has not seen many changes, particularly in its product lines, since late CEO Steve Jobs stepped down and handed the reins over to current CEO Tim Cook. However, Cook has shown promise and assures that Apple is heading in the right direction. Fortune’s #1 ranking as ‘Most Admired Company’ is most definitely a good start in that direction.

{Via MacRumors}

According to Japanese site Macotakara, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is changing its original launch timeframe for a cheaper iPhone and is looking to introduce a polycarbonate iPhone with a 4.5 inch display. This would make the device slightly larger than the current 4 inch display on the iPhone 5. AAPL is expected to be working on two new iPhones, one which is expected to arrive this year, and the other in 2014.

This year’s iPhone is expected to be a follow-up to the current iPhone 5 and is dubbed the ‘iPhone 5S’. The 5S is rumored to include a dual-flash LED module on the back side of the iPhone to aid in picture taking and will likely retain the same design as the iPhone 5.

The ‘iPhone 6’ expected in 2014 is rumored to be entirely different than any iPhone generation seen before and will carry a polycarbonate body, the same material as the discontinued white MacBooks. The new device will also reportedly have a larger 4.5 inch display, which will allow users to choose from a range of different screen sizes.

By using the thicker material, Apple will immensely increase the durability of the iPhone. However, the polycarbonate material will also cause the finished product to be thicker than the current iPhone 5. Apple has also been rumored to match the price point of the new iPhone with that of the iPad mini, selling both devices for a retail price of $330.

It is not surprising that Apple is looking to release iPhones with different screen sizes, as competition from many companies stiffens, particularly Samsung which sells Android devices in a range of different screen sizes for as cheap as $100. By introducing the iPhone with different screen sizes, Apple will retain its iconic price points and design ethic, while offering users an option to choose their screen size as it fits with their needs.

{Via AppleInsider}

Apple appears to be not only synchronizing all of its products, but is also doing so with the accessories for these products. On Thursday, Apple released a shorter 0.5 meter Lightning to USB cable for all of its updated iOS devices, including the current iPhone 5, fifth generation iPod Touch, iPod Nano, iPad mini, and 4th generation iPad.

This is not the first time that Apple is offering users a shorter cable length option, with the company introducing a shorter 0.5 meter Thunderbolt cable just last month. The shorter Lightning to USB cable provides the same function as the longer 1 meter cable, but gives users the option free up clutter in tight spaces behind or near a desk or table.

However, there appears to be no change in price for the shorter cable, coming in at $19, the same price of the 1m length. It likely does not cost Apple anything to produce and ship the shorter cables, making this newer cable length entirely a choice of convenience for users instead of changes in functionality.

Alongside the shortened Lightning to USB cable, Apple also introduced a tweaked version of its current In-Ear Headphones with Mic and Remote. The tweak, like the shortening of the Lightning to USB cable does not change the functionality of the headphones at all, and instead adds the same rounded remote design on the EarPods, which are standard on the iPhone and iPod.

The new remote design, pictured on the left, is slightly more rounded than the previous design and is easier to click. It is also slightly bigger in size and higher up in the headphone cord in order to provide for clearer recordings and calls. The price of the In-Ear Headphones with Mic and Remote remains at $79 and is still a viable option for users who are looking for headphones of slightly better quality than the EarPods. Apple’s 0.5 meter Lightning to USB cable as well as the tweaked In-Ear Headphones with Mic and Remote are now both available for purchase online.

{Via MacRumors}

The mobile research firm revealed that 320,000 smartphone and tablet users in six countries participated in the poll. In the U.S Motorola Atrix HD came in at first followed by Motorola Droid Razr, HTC Rezound 4G, Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and then iPhone 5.

Sarah Quinn, marketing manager for OnDevice Research commented on the report and said, “although Apple created one of the most revolutionary devices of the past decade, other manufactures have caught up, with some Android powered devices now commanding higher levels of user satisfaction,”.

In the UK Apple comparatively did better where HTC One X came first, iPhone 5 second followed by Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Perhaps the most interesting result of the poll was that among the rankings for overall mobile device satisfaction Apple came in first followed by Google, Motorola, HTC, Nokia, Sony Ericsson and then Samsung. The survey reached out to mobile users in the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, Japan, and Indonesia and was conducted via the mobile Web.

The report does give an interesting perspective of users satisfaction however, it’s unclear how a device can rank low while the company selling the device rank higher in overall satisfaction.

{via CNET}