Watch Live Time Warner Cable on Your iPhone and iPod touch

We did a review of the Time Warner Cable app for iPad a while ago.  With the app, you could watch select channels in your Time Warner Cable lineup on your iPad in any room of your house while you were connected to your home's WiFi network.  Now, the app has been updated into a universal app, meaning you can now enjoy your programming on your iPhone and iPod touch with the updated universal TWC TV app.  It works with iPad, iPhone 3G, 4x4S, and iPod touch 3rd or 4th generation; it requires iOS 4.3 or higher.  It's free in the iTunes app store.

iHeadCase: iPhone Case with Built-in Storage for Earbuds

This is another Kickstarter project.  The iHeadCase is available in either a plastic shell case or a faux leather case for iPhone 4x4S.  The Hardshell version is made of polycarbonate and is available in piano black, and some other colors that will be selected later.  This case can also be used as a stand.  The Wallet version is made of polyurethane, an animal-friendly faux leather.  As the name suggests, you can use this case as your wallet, too.  Some Wallets may have wrist straps for use as a clutch.  Both styles hold your iPhone 4 securely, and both styles have a rounded compartment on the back to store and protect your earbuds.  A $25 pledge gets you one Hardshell in black; it's expected to retail for $39.99.  A pledge of $40 gets you one Wallet in black; it's expected to retail for $55 or more.  You have until Feb. 17, 2012 to help iHeadCase meet their funding goals.  If funding is successful, the company plans to launch cases for other smartphones, such as Blackberry, Samsung, HTC, Nokia, and for portable media player,s such as the iPod and iPod touch.

Camera-free iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 now on sale in Singapore

Singapore-based wireless carrier M1 began offering camera-free iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S handsets on Friday. The Singaporean government does not allow its soldiers to carry phones equipped with cameras, but requires that all men serve two years in the military. M1 no doubt wanted to address those potential customers who wanted iPhones but could not carry one with a camera. The camera-free iPhone 4 starts at $449 while the high-end iPhone 4S is priced at $974. According to CNET Asia, Singtel and StarHub are also planning to offer camera-less iPhones, although it's unclear when the device will be launched on those carriers. It is unclear if or when camera-free versions of the iPhone will become available outside Singapore.

Android share doubles iPhone in U.S., Samsung most popular vendor

Google's share of the smartphone market in the United States is now nearly double that of Apple's iPhone according to new data published Friday. A new report from market research firm iGR states that 47% of U.S. smartphone owners have Android devices while 24% own Apple's iPhone. The company also found that Samsung is the most popular brand among Android users in the U.S. followed by Motorola, HTC and LG. Less than half of Android users researched the mobile OS before purchasing their smartphones according to the study, and 27% said Google's reputation was a key factor when they made the decision to purchase an Android phone. ”Understanding why consumers select specific brands and certain smartphones is critical to the success of OEMs in the highly competitive U.S. handset market,” iGR Research Analyst Sarah Thoman said in a statement. “While a user's current handset brand influences the selection of a new Android smartphone, many other factors also come into play. For example, handset display quality and functionality also highly influenced the smartphone purchase decision.” IGR's press release follows below. New iGR Research Shows Samsung as Most Preferred Android Device Brand Among Consumers Consumer Surveys Also Show That 45 Percent of Android Users Researched the OS Prior to Purchase and Specifically Wanted an Android Device AUSTIN, TX, Jan 20, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — The popularity of the Google Android smartphone operating system (OS) has increased significantly in the last few years. New iGR research shows that, at present, 47 percent of U.S. smartphone users have an Android device, followed by 24 percent who own/use an Apple iPhone. Of the major brands supporting Android, Samsung has the highest brand preference among consumers, followed by Motorola, HTC and LG. ZTE and Huawei ranked toward the bottom of the brands studied, although note that these brands currently sell comparatively lower volumes in the U.S. market. iGR's new research also shows that 45 percent of Android users researched the OS prior to purchase and specifically selected an Android device when they bought a new smartphone. It also appears that Google's reputation is driving Android sales — 27 percent of Android users said that they selected an Android smartphone because they believed that Google was a “reputable company” and therefore inferred that Android must also be reputable. These findings, as well as others relating to consumers' Android brand preferences and impressions, are presented in iGR's new market study Android Brand Preferences: U.S. Consumers, published in January 2012. “Understanding why consumers select specific brands and certain smartphones is critical to the success of OEMs in the highly competitive U.S. handset market,” says iGR Research Analyst, Sarah Thoman, who authored the study. “While a user's current handset brand influences the selection of a new Android smartphone, many other factors also come into play. For example, handset display quality and functionality also highly influenced the smartphone purchase decision.” iGR's new study, Android Brand Preferences: U.S. Consumers, addresses several key topics: The number of Android smartphones sold in the U.S. in 2011 (by quarter) Why consumers buy Android smartphones The profile of the typical Android smartphone user The handset features users like on Android smartphones How consumers rank Android OEM brands and why How the user's current device brand impacts that user's Android smartphone purchase Which Android OEM brands are associated with the major mobile operators

iPhone 4S, iPad 2 untethered jailbreak almost ready for release

The uncharacteristically long wait iPhone 4S and iPad 2 owners have been forced to endure before their devices can be jailbroken is almost over. In a blog post early Friday morning, the iPhone Dev Team stated that an untethered jailbreak solution for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 is almost ready for a public release. The iOS hackers wrote that it has taken the combined efforts of pod2g, the Chronic Dev Team and their own group to develop the new jailbreak, and that all technical hurdles have now been overcome. The teams are now working on making the solution as bug-free as possible ahead of general release. Once available, the new jailbreak tool dubbed “corona” will support iPhone 4S handsets running iOS 5.0 and iOS 5.0.1 as well as iPad 2 tablets running iOS 5.0.1. Users hoping to jailbreak their devices should not update to newer versions of iOS in the event Apple pushes out any software updates ahead of corona's release.

iPhone owners living in the past finally get a peek at the present

There will always come a point when hardware limitations prevent previous-generation iPhone and iPod touch models from receiving the latest version of iOS. The issue is more prominently discussed in the Android community due to the frequency of updates and the time-consuming process vendors face when making customized software elements available on a new Android build. But owners of older versions of Apple's mobile devices also know the pain of seeing features added to iOS that they will never get to enjoy until they purchase a more modern device - until now. A group of independent iOS developers have taken it upon themselves to bring a number of the great features iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS owners enjoy to the first and second-generation iPhone and iPod touch. Using a custom iOS build called Whited00r, popular iOS 5 features including enhanced mutitasking support, reminders, home screen folders, video recording and even Newsstand are made available on older iPhone and iPod touch devices. Released earlier this week, Whited00r 5.1 is a custom version of Apple's iOS 3.1.3 software. While the software affords a number of great iOS 5 features, some of the most sought-after elements newer iOS builds including Notification Center and App Store access are not available in Whited00r. Other features such as iCloud have been recreated to an extent - iCloud support in this custom iOS build uses Dropbox as a back end. Owners of Apple's iPhone, iPhone 3G or first and second-generation iPod touch obviously don't have to worry about voiding any warranties by installing Whited00r since their warranties have long since expired, but things can always go awry when working with unauthorized software. Many users report success with Whited00r, however, and the software's developers have a forum in place to help users who run into trouble. Whited00r 5.1 is available for free and can be installed using Apple's iTunes software on a Mac or a Windows PC. The team behind Whited00r recommends that users set up their devices as new rather than restoring from a backup after installing the customer software.

Best Buy Canada to drop prices for the 32 GB iPhone 4S and BlackBerry Bold 9900 starting tomorrow

Up in Canada, Best Buy seems to have an interesting proposition for you if you're in the market for either a 32 GB iPhone 4S or a BlackBerry Bold 9900 and don't mind signing a long-term contract with a carrier. The offer will be available starting tomorrow, January 20, until January 30. You'll be able to buy a brand new 32 GB iPhone 4S for just $199.99 with a new three-year contract from either Bell or Telus. Alternatively, if BlackBerry is more your kind of thing, the Bold 9900 could be yours for just $29.99 if you agree to sign a new three-year contract with Rogers. The iPhone's price drop is $70, and the BlackBerry Bold 9900 will be $100 cheaper than it's been so far, so this will be a great opportunity for you to purchase a new smartphone.

Bookmakers give iPhone 5 announcement 20:1 payout

What you really want to do is bet your own money on your guess. Paddy Power is offering some options, but it is not the general “digital textbook” guess you want to bet on — it is rated at a measly 1x6. An iPad Lite announcement would hand you a 6x1 quote and an iPad 3 even 9x1. You could go for Apple's TV for 16x1, the iPhone 5 for 20x1, or, if you are among the big risk takers, an “Apple Robot Teacher” for 40x1. The company is also offering bets on the number of iPad releases this year – 16x1 for none, 10x11 for one release and 4x5 for two. “Like all tech junkies I'm awaiting the latest Apple announcement with bated breath, it looks very likely that they're on the verge of launching electronic textbooks, but I don't think it's beyond those geniuses at Apple to build a robot teacher,” a spokesperson was quoted. So, are you going to put your money where your mouth is?

Nissan Develops “Self-Healing” iPhone Case

Nissan develops an iPhone case, no joke. Being a car manufacturer that it is, expect Nissan to come up with an unusual product that is beyond ordinary. The Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone Case is being touted as the world's first “self-healing” iPhone cover. It quickly fixes minor scratches on its own, without the aid of scratch-removing chemicals. The company uses Scratch Shield, its self-healing paint technology originally developed for its vehicles since 2005. The case, meanwhile, is made of lightweight ABS plastic and is a product of a collaboration with University of Tokyo and Advanced Softmaterials. “The outer ‘paint' is made of polyrotaxane, which means that when damage occurs to the coating in the form of a fine scratch, the chemical structure is able to react to change back to its original shape and fill the gap — ‘healing' the blemish,” Nissan states in its press release. Protoypes of Nissan's iPhone case has been distributed to a number of journalists and select customers. The company plans on putting the Scratch Shield iPhone Case to commercial retail later this year.

iPhone share among recent smartphone buyers nearly doubles in Q4, Nielsen says

The share of recent smartphone buyers in the United States who chose Apple's iPhone over rivals in the fourth quarter nearly doubled compared to the three months ending in October 2011, Nielsen said on Wednesday. The market research firm polled recent smartphone acquirers in December and found that 44.5% of buyers purchased an iPhone over the three months leading up to the survey. Meanwhile, 46.9% of respondents said they purchased an Android smartphone and 4.5% said they bought a BlackBerry. A similar poll conducted in October found that 25.1% of recent acquirers purchased an iPhone compared to 61.6% who purchased an Android phone and 7.7% who chose a BlackBerry smartphone. Nielsen also noted that among recent smartphone buyers between October and December who purchased an iPhone model, 57% bought an iPhone 4S. In the fourth quarter, Nielsen found that Android held its OS market share lead with 46.3%, followed by iOS (30%), BlackBerry OS (14.9%), Windows Mobile (4.6%), webOS (1.4%), Symbian (1.4%) and Windows Phone (1.3%).

Apple iTV, iPhone 5 and new MacBook Air cast a ‘dark shadow over CES'

This year's Consumer Electronics Show had record attendance and a number of terrific products unveiled during various CES press conferences should make waves when they hit the market later this year. A dark cloud loomed over the show, however, and the staggering number of ultra-slim notebook PCs and voice-controlled HDTVs on display in Las Vegas last week made it clear that companies are gearing up to do battle with one competitor in particular. Read on for more. In a note to investors sent Tuesday, Canaccord Genuity analyst Mike Walkley notes that despite the company's absence from the CES 2012 show floor, Apple's presence was absolutely felt. “While Apple did not attend CES, its leading market position was evident as competitors introduced new Ultrabook and LTE smartphone products targeted to compete with Apple's strong product portfolio,” Walkley wrote. “Despite increasing competition, we believe Apple is well positioned for a very strong C2012 driven by new products, including the pending refresh of MacBook Air (featuring a new 15-inch model), the iPad 3 launching this spring, the LTE iPhone 5 likely mid-year, and potentially Apple TV exiting C2012.” Apple is widely expected to launch an iOS-powered HDTV product later this year that replaces the standard remote control with voice commands courtesy of Siri, Apple's digital personal assistant. Earlier reports suggested that Apple will launch its new “iTV” this summer, but Walkley claims the Cupertino, California-based company will release its first television toward the end of 2012. Walkley also sees Apple launching an “iPhone 5″ with embedded 4G LTE connectivity toward the middle of 2012, though we have been told that a redesigned next-generation iPhone won't hit the market until this coming fall. Regarding ultrabooks, the analyst sees PC vendors struggling while new MacBook Air laptops from Apple, including a 15-inch model, help Apple gain PC share in 2012. “While Ultrabooks grabbed many of the headlines at CES, we view Ultrabooks as a Windows alternative to MacBook Air,” Walkley wrote in his research note on Tuesday. “We believe Apple will continue to gain PC market share by launching a refreshed MacBook Air line in the coming weeks, including a new 15-inch version. Further, we believe Ultrabooks at proposed $700-$900 prices will struggle to sell versus competitively priced new MacBook products, as we believe Apple will continue to benefit from its supply chain advantages such as dominant share of the global NAND flash market given growing volumes for iPhones and iPads.” Walkley reiterated his Buy rating on Apple stock with a price target of $560.

Nissan announces the world's first self-healing iPhone case

Nissan on Monday announced the company's new Scratch Shield case for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The case is made of ABS plastic that is designed to create a rigid, robust and tighter-fitting case. Perhaps the most exciting news is the case's unique ability to heal itself. Nissan's Scratch Shield paint is the world's first paint technology that allows fine scratches to quickly mend themselves. The paint is the same that is featured on numerous Nissan and Infiniti automobiles throughout the world. When damage occurs to the coating, the chemical structure is able to react to change back to its original shape and fill the gap, thus “healing” the blemish. The healing process takes between an hour and a week depending on the damage. The Scratch Shield is currently being beta tested in Europe, with the technology also being licensed to NTT Docomo for use on mobile phones. If Nissan is satisfied with the results from the beta test, we can expect to see the case released to the general public later this year. Read on for Nissan's press release. WORLD'S FIRST SELF-HEALING iPhone CASE Nissan brings automotive innovation to the world of technology Nissan announces unique self-healing iPhone case – the Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case The case uses innovations from the automotive world to create a robust iPhone case, including Nissan's pioneering self-healing paint finish Nissan's Scratch Shield paint is a world first in paint technology that allows fine scratches to quickly mend themselves Addition benefits such as scratch-resistant and easier-to-grip than normal glossy phone surfaces The Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case is made from ABS plastic – a high grade substance widely used in the automotive industry to create a more rigid, robust, and tighter-fitting case Trial underway with initial batch of prototypes Rolle, Switzerland, 16 January 2012: Nissan today announced the latest piece of must-have kit for the iPhone* – a ground-breaking self-healing iPhone case. The Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case features the brand's pioneering self-healing paint finish, a world first in paint technology developed in 2005 and already used on a number of Nissan and Infiniti models. Now this ground-breaking technology has been applied to a product that's prone to scratches through everyday use – the smartphone – with Nissan's new Scratch Shield case meaning iPhone-lovers can keep their phone looking at its best for longer. Developed by Nissan in collaboration with University of Tokyo and Advanced Softmaterials Inc., the unique Scratch Shield paint finish was initially designed for automotive use and is available on the Nissan Murano, 370Z and X-Trail along with the Infiniti range of products.  Now, thanks to Nissan's pioneering approach, this technology is being trialled for the first time on a non-automotive product in Europe, with the Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case. The Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case has been designed using several automotive engineering innovations to deliver a more durable and long-lasting paint coat, and closely fitting, tight case. The case has three key benefits: the highly flexible and elastic properties of Scratch Shield paint technology allows fine scratches to quickly mend themselves**; its tactile gel-like rather than glossy surface is more scratch-resistant than conventional paint and provides a better grip; and the case itself is made of ABS plastic – a high grade substance widely used in the automotive industry which is more rigid and robust than other plastics. The outer 'paint' is made from polyrotaxane, which means that when damage occurs to the coating in the form of a fine scratch, the chemical structure is able to react to change back to its original shape and fill the gap – ‘healing' the blemish. An initial batch of prototypes of the innovative Scratch Shield iPhone cases has been produced by Nissan for BETA testing with selected journalists and customers, but if demand proves strong, it will look to put the cases on general sale later this year. Bob Laishley, Overseas Programme Director Business Development for Nissan in Europe, said: “We like to think laterally by taking the great innovations we've got from an automotive point of view, and looking at how they could be applied to improve everyday issues. The Scratch Shield iPhone case is a great example of us taking a Nissan automotive technology that has had a huge impact for our customers, and then shifting the boundaries to apply it to another everyday product. “We're really excited about the possibilities provided by this technology. In Japan, we've already linked up with world-leading mobile operator NTT DoCoMo to allow them to use the Scratch Shield technology on its Style Series N-03B mobile phones, and we think this technology has real scope beyond the automotive world. We're passionate about innovations that get people excited, and that means not being restricted to one industry or genre.” Nissan has been licensing its unique technologies for various non-automotive applications since 2004. Other technologies that have been licensed include its Miniature Thermal Imaging Sensor: initially designed to make driving at night safer by detecting the presence of people even in places not illuminated by the car's headlights; the technology has been licensed to create a device which allows customers to monitor heat generation, or collect temperature readings via infrared sensor. Nissan will continue to research and develop breakthrough technologies that can benefit other industries, and promote these non-automotive applications globally. Nissan has long been an innovator when it comes to advancements in the automotive world, heralding the start of a remarkable new era in motoring when it launched the first Crossover, the Nissan Murano, followed by the hugely-successful Qashqai and recently joined by the Juke – with its innovative fusion of compact SUV and sports car styling. Nissan's range of crossovers has since gone from strength to strength, with the Nissan Qashqai selling more than a quarter of a million models last year in Europe and the newly launched Juke having now notched-up 120 thousand sales. Built in Nissan's manufacturing plant in the UK, these two models helped the plant break its all-time production record to build 480 thousand units in 2011. Currently the Nissan Juke-R, another Nissan Innovation combining the transmission, drive train and engine of a Nissan GT-R with a Juke, is being put to the test on the streets of Dubai.  To celebrate this event, Nissan has joined forces with Ministry of Sound, who will be hosting a pre-race party for Nissan with internationally renowned DJ Pete Tong, to release the first 100 of the Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case prototypes.

Give Your iPhone 4x4S a New Look with MetalliCover

If you're tired of a plain black or white iPhone 4 or 4S but don't want a plastic skin, give a look to MetalliCover‘s metal skins. You'll cover both the front and back of the phone with these stainless-steel plates;  they'll add only 0.2″ thickness and 0.7 ounces to your phone.  The plates are laser etched with geometric, floral, or even animal print designs, and they are available with an optional gold plating.  A professional-grade 3M backing adhesive holds the plates securely to your phone, but they remove easily with the edge of your fingernail without leaving sticky residue behind.  You'll also receive a matching wallpaper for your iPhone with purchase of a MetalliCover.  Stainless steel designs are $25.95; gold-plated versions are $89.95.

iPhone, iPad owners see glass half full while BlackBerry users are down in the dumps

In what is certainly one of the most bizarre mobile-related studies we've seen published in recent months, a new survey found that iPhone and iPad owners are generally very optimistic relative to owners of other handsets and tablets. The most pessimistic mobile users, according to the same survey, are BlackBerry owners. Consumer electronics recycler and reseller Gazelle recently published the findings of a survey conducted on the CES show floor that sought to establish a correlation between a person's outlook on life and the mobile devices he or she carries. The firm's findings, while anything but scientific, paint an interesting picture that suggests users of iOS and Android devices have a better outlook on life than BlackBerry users. Read on for more. According to Gazelle's poll, 52% of iPhone users and 58% of iPad users are always optimistic about their future while 28% of Android smartphone users and 36% of Android tablet users share the same outlook. 29% of iPhone users and 60% of iPad users expect the best in uncertain times and 31% of Android smartphone users and 55% of Android tablet users expect good things to happen more often than bad. 25% of iPhone users and 26% of iPad users don't get upset very easily, and neither do 18% of Android smartphone users or 27% of Android tablet users. Where RIM customers are concerned, Gazelle found that 33% of BlackBerry users subscriber to Murphy's Law, holding the belief that if something can go wrong for them, it will. 16% of BlackBerry users hardly ever expect things to go their way and 33% of BlackBerry users rarely count on good things happening to them. 0% of BlackBerry users usually expect the best, Gazelle found. “Who knew that Apple users had such a promising outlook on life, while BlackBerry owners hardly expect things to go their way?” Gazelle CEO Israel Ganot said in a statement.

Apple stalls launch of iPhone 4S in many China stores

Apple store employees are not used to being greeted by flying eggs launched from a rioting crowd. However, that's what happened earlier last Friday at Apple's flagship store in Beijing's Sanlitun district. A substantial number of people waited through the night in freezing temperatures, hoping to get their hands on an iPhone 4S in the morning. But when it was time to open the doors, the store management decided it could not ensure the safety of its customers and staff, and thus announced via a bullhorn that the phone would not be sold after all. For the time being, Apple said, the iPhone 4S will not be available in five retail stores in Beijing and Shanghai. The crowd reportedly did not take it too well, and demanded the doors to open, yelling “liars!” Police support was required to restore order when eggs hit the windows of the store. Apple, which has mastered the art of hyping its product, was chastised by Chinese market researchers. “Everybody knows there will be massive numbers of people when Apple has this kind of a launch,” said Shaun Rein, from China Market Research Group, in a conversation with Bloomberg. “This shows very poor retail management ability.” It appears that the rollout of the phone went smoothly in most other locations. Customers are still able to order the phone via Apple's online store as well as through the carrier China Unicom.

China too eager for the iPhone 4S, Apple suspends sales

The much-anticipated release of the iPhone 4S in China stumbled out of the gate in Beijing, after unruly crowds kept the store closed on release day. Apple’s main store in the Sanlitun district of Beijing, the first of its kind to open in the country, was pelted with eggs and minor scuffles broke out after an unidentified store representative announced that the store would not be opening. Apart from the Apple Store in Hong Kong’s IFC Mall, which started selling the iPhone 4S back in November, you would assume that the largest mobile-phone market in the world would have slightly more Apple retail points than the meager two in Beijing and three in Shanghai. To avoid such incidents in the future, Apple has decided to restrict the availability of the iPhone 4S to online sales and the stores of its local carrier, China Unicom. Source | Via

iPhone 4S launch in China draws large crowds, unnecessary violence and SWAT teams

No Apple product launch is complete without long lines, frustration and utter exhaustion. Unfortunately, the arrival of the iPhone 4S has escalated this reality to a new level in China. We're now reading reports of fights breaking out between competing gangs of scalpers in the country, each hoping to get their hands on large quantities of Cupertino's latest smartphone. The conflicts have been significant enough to attract the attention of Chinese police, and we now hear that the Apple Store in Beijing is keeping its doors locked in attempt to make the crowds leave. While we've yet hear of any significant injuries, it seems the company's storefront is now coated with plenty of eggs.

Chaos at Beijing iPhone 4S launch causes sales halt

Pent up demand for Apple's latest smartphone caused the company to halt sales of its just-released iPhone 4S in Beijing, China on Friday, fearing for the safety of its sales staff. According to Chinese tech blog M.I.C. Gadget, Beijing residents eager to get their hands on Apple's iPhone 4S began to line up more than 12 hours before stores opened on Friday. A massive crowd had gathered at the Sanlitun Apple Store, and workers were forced to delay its opening. The crowd seemingly then became unruly to the point where Apple Store employees' safety could not be guaranteed, and an announcement was made that the launch had been canceled. At that point fights reportedly began to break out, several members of the crowd began to throw eggs at the Apple Store, and SWAT teams had to be called in to restore order. Apple's only comment on the matter was that the company has already sold out of its initial iPhone 4S supply in China.

iPhone 5 to feature slimmer design, may operate on all 3G and 4G LTE networks

Apple's next-generation iPhone will be slimmer than its current iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models according to a new report, and it may feature a quad-mode chipset that will work across all 3G and 4G LTE networks. In a note to clients on Friday, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty wrote that Apple's business will continue to grow despite slowing demand high-end smartphone market. Mirroring a small piece of countless reports, Huberty says Apple's next-generation “iPhone 5″ will feature a new slimmer case. The iPhone 5 will also feature a new quad-mode chip from Qualcomm that could allow it to operate on all 3G and 4G LTE networks, Huberty wrote. Finally, the analyst says Apple will launch the next-generation iPad 3 tablet some time in the first half, at which time it will lower its price on the current iPad 2 tablet to attract a broader range of customers. BGR exclusively reported last month that Apple is preparing to launch a completely redesigned iPhone this fall with an aluminum case and a rubber or plastic bezel that will cover a new wrap-around antenna.

Thousands line up for iPhone 4S launch in China

In eight hours, Apple's iPhone will touch down in China for the first official time. Thousands have already lined up outside of Apple Stores, and in Beijing and Shanghai locations, there are hundreds of people waiting in the hopes of getting their hands on the iPhone 4S. The image above was posted on Twitter on January 10th, three days before the highly-anticipated smartphone's launch. China Unicom is the only carrier set to offer the iPhone 4S, with both the 16GB and 32GB models free with a two and three-year agreements. In the future, the device is also expected to land on China Telecom, the nation's third largest wireless carrier.

Celluon Prodigy iPhone Battery Case

The Celluon Prodigy is not an ordinary iPhone battery case, because it comes equipped with a built-in QWERTY keyboard and a virtual infrared keyboard. Too bad, there is no further info about this gadget. The company will launch the Celluon Prodigy in the near future for $189.95 each. Stay tuned for more updates. [CultOfMac]

Most Beautifully Simple (and Functional) iPhone Dock Ever?

I've been on the hunt for the “perfect” iPhone dock (for me at least) since I first got my iPhone 3GS.  The stock Apple dock seemed OK, but I've always kept my iPhones in a case of one type or another, and none of them have been compatible with the Apple dock.  No dock over the last several years has excited me until I saw the Elevation Dock from ElevationLab.  It's a Kickstarter project, so it isn't actually available yet, but it looks simply awesome. For those not familiar, Kickstarter helps inventors, artist and other folks with creative ideas to make them a reality by providing a site that facilitates collecting funding for their projects to get off the ground.  Funds are pledged by average Joes and Janes like you and me, and in exchange (and depending on the pledge amount), “backers” can get exclusive first shots at the products when they go into production—that is, if the project receives the minimum amount of funding. The Elevation Dock is machined from a solid block of aluminum and the basic version is finished to match an iMac or iPad.  The hefty weight, as well as a “special low-friction connection” helps make insertion and removal of your iPhone or iPod touch quick and easy.  It is also compatible with virtually any iPhone case thanks to a ”clever movable support pad.”  The base version goes for a pledge of $59 and the price and added features increase from there.  As of this writing, the Elevation Dock already has exceeded its required pledge funding, so it is virtually a sure thing that it will be made.  But you only have until February 11, 2012 to get your pledge in—after that, the prices will jump up when it goes retail.  It's a bit pricey, but I just might be willing to pay for what the Elevation Dock is offering.

iPhone Celebrates 5th Birthday — How Has It Changed?

People stand outside the Apple Store on Chicago's Michigan Avenue, Friday, June 29, 2007, waiting to get in to purchase the company's new iPhone during the official launch day. Photo: M. Spencer Green/Associated Press Gadget fans may be focused on the CES trade show this week, but there's something else notable going on today: It's the iPhone's fifth birthday. Five years ago today, Apple unveiled the original iPhone to the world. It wasn't a tightly kept secret, shrouded in mystery and speculation like more recent Apple announcements, but it was arguably the world's most anticipated gadget launch. Although its form factor — a capacitive touchscreen candy bar — hasn't dramatically changed over the years, each iteration of the iPhone has yielded important improvements. Let's take a look back at how the iPhone revolutionized what we thought a phone could be. The iPhone Is Revealed "An iPod, a phone, an internet mobile communicator," Jobs said when preparing to introduce the iPhone in January 2007. "An iPod, a phone, an internet mobile communicator.... These are not three separate devices!" The original iPhone launched on AT&T with a handful of Apple-created apps. It had a 320×480 resolution, 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen and 2-megapixel camera, and ran iOS 1.0. Inside, it featured a 412MHz ARM 11 processor, a proximity sensor, and an accelerometer. Priced at $499 and $599 for 4GB and 8GB models, the iPhone didn't actually go on sale to eager hordes of consumers (hundreds of whom waited outside Apple Stores) until June 29. “As a device, it's a genre-bender,” former Gadget Lab editor Dylan Tweney said in his review of the landmark device. “Never before have American consumers had access to a phone that is simultaneously so powerful, so elegant, and that performs so many functions.” iPhone 3G, the App Store and iOS 2.0 Apple's second generation iPhone debuted in the summer of 2008. Internally, it was largely identical to its predecessor: same processor, same type of display, same 2.0 megapixel camera, same amount of memory. But the iPhone 3G, as the name implied, now supported 3G network operability, as well as GPS. More importantly, though, the launch of the 3G was accompanied by iOS version 2.0, which included an industry-altering addition: the App Store. The App Store finally let independent, third-party developers legally create apps for the device with a 70x30 revenue split weighted toward Apple. The App Store has been an incredible success story for Apple and developers alike. It houses more than half-a-million apps, and there's been more than 18 billion downloads to date. Pretty much every mobile platform has its own app market now, and most are modeled similarly to Apple's. iPhone 3GS Takes Photography Seriously The iPhone 3GS was primarily an incremental improvement over the 3G, but it included some notable hardware improvements that would continue through later iterations of the phone. First, the 3GS included a camera upgrade: a 3-megapixel, autofocusing camera that shot decent video that could be edited and easily sent to YouTube or other destinations. Photography would become an increasingly important feature for iPhone users. The processor was upgraded to a 600MHz Samsung chip, and the display was upped to 480×320 pixels. The 3GS also added a compass, a tool that would prove incredibly useful in apps like Google Maps. On the software side, the 3GS also added Voice Control, and iOS, now at version 3.0, finally added a cut/copy/paste functionality to the system. iPhone 4: Prototype Leak, ‘Antennagate' and Verizon The iPhone 4 stunned the world with its radically redesigned look, which Gizmodo revealed early after getting its hands on a prototype. A 3.5-inch Retina Display put pretty much every other smartphone display to shame: At 960×640 and bearing a 326ppi pixel density, it offered pixels smaller than the human eye could detect. The iPhone 4 was also encased front and back by slim slabs of glass, and ringed by an aluminum rim. The visual conceit was slick, and Apple received kudos for its smart industrial design refresh. Unfortunately, that aluminum rim became the source of a debacle known as “Antennagate”: Because of the external antenna design of the phone, if users held it a particular way, they would experience a drop in signal strength. The iPhone 4 debuted in June 2010, still on AT&T like its predecessors, but in January 2011, Apple expanded availability to Verizon. iPhone 4S Delivers Siri Expecting an entirely differently designed iPhone 5, some Apple fans were disappointed by the announcement of merely an “iPhone 4S.” However, pre-sale numbers and opening weekend sales numbers proved the 4S to be the most successful iPhone launch in Apple's history. A major reason for the success of the 4S was its new voice-controlled virtual assistant, Siri. Hackers attempting to port Siri to other iOS devices have almost succeeded, but the solution just isn't available for the masses. Others though, are more interested in hacking Siri to control other gadgets in their lives like thermostats or a rotary dial phone.

iPhone 4S remains best-seller at top three carriers in December

Apple's latest iPhone propelled what analysts are predicting will be Apple's biggest-ever quarter, and the handset ended the year with strong holiday sales, maintaining its position as the best-selling smartphone at Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint. Checks performed by Canaccord Genuity analyst Mike Walkley and his team indicate that smartphone sales in December were strong, with Apple's iPhone 4S and Samsung's Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S II sell-through continuing to lead all other smartphones in the U.S. Read on for more. Apple's iPhone 4S was the best-selling smartphone at Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and Sprint last month according to Walkley. Samsung's Galaxy S II handsets held the No.2 spot at both AT&T and Sprint while the Galaxy Nexus was the second most popular smartphone at Verizon Wireless in December. Verizon Wireless revealed earlier this week that it sold 4.2 million iPhones in the fourth quarter. The Galaxy S II was the best-selling smartphone at T-Mobile last month - T-Mobile does not currently offer Apple's iPhone - followed by the HTC Amaze 4G and the Windows Phone-powered HTC Radar 4G. “Our December checks indicated iPhone sales remained strong in the U.S., and we forecast total iPhone sales of over 12M units in the U.S. market for the December quarter,” Walkley wrote in a research note on Friday. “Further, our checks indicated strong global share gains with iPhone 4S launching in new markets including Brazil and Russia during December and set to launch in China and other markets in January. In addition, our checks indicated iPad 2 remains the top-selling global tablet with Amazon's Kindle Fire the closest competitor due to its materially lower price.” As Apple and Samsung continued to dominate the U.S. smartphone market, Canaccord's checks indicated that RIM and HTC both lost market share last month. “Our December checks indicated weaker sales trends for both RIM and HTC, with these OEMs facing increased competition from broader iPhone distribution and new Android smartphone launches,” Walkley wrote. “Further, we believe weak trends are company-specific for both OEMs rather than indications of a weaker smartphone macro.” The analyst continued, “Our checks indicated HTC has lost significant share in the U.S. market the past several months following the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S II launches. In addition, our checks indicated continued soft BlackBerry sales due to high-end share losses combined with lower-priced Nokia feature phones and sub-$200 Android smartphones adversely impacting sales in emerging markets.”

Chitika: iPhone usage share drops almost 5% in December as Samsung, HTC gain

Usage of Apple's iPhone slid more than 4 percent in December despite what analysts estimate will have been a huge month in Apple's biggest-ever quarter of sales. Advertising network Chitika on Friday published its smartphone vendor usage share data for the month of December as measured by traffic across its network. Apple's iPhone showed the biggest slide last month but Apple was still the most popular vendor by a wide margin with a 49.62% share. Chitika also recently reported that iOS's overall operating system share was up 1.12% in December. HTC's vendor share followed at 16.83%, up 1% from November, and Samsung jumped 2.74% to 14.53% in the No.3 spot. Motorola was nearly flat at 7.94% and RIM slid half a point to 0.99%.

iPhone 4S owners consume almost twice as much data as iPhone 4 users

iPhone 4S users consume nearly twice the amount of data as iPhone 4 owners according to a new study. Research from Arieso suggests the phone consumes more than 3x the data of the original iPad 3G, too. “I use the iPhone 4 myself and when I first heard of the iPhone 4S features I was not compelled to rush out and get one,” Arieso's chief technology officer Michael Flanagan said. “However, the data usage numbers I am seeing make me wonder what I am missing.” Apple's virtual assistant Siri is likely responsible for the added data consumption, although Arieso didn't specifically say that in its report. In addition, Arieso said just 1% of data users consume half of all downlink data. "While the report provides general trends, the studies on which they're based demonstrate the importance to operators of understanding the increased consumption each type of smartphone brings,” Flanagan said. “Despite stark industry warnings, mobile operators are still playing 'Guess Who?' with their subscribers.” Arieso's press release follows after the break. Arieso reveals latest trends in smartphone data use 06 January 2012  Study reveals explosive growth in mobile data demand iPhone 4S users are the "hungriest" data consumers, demanding twice as much data as iPhone 4 users and three times as much as iPhone 3G users Just 1% of all users now consume HALF of the entire downlink data Fuelled by new smartphones, apps and services consumer demand for mobile data is accelerating beyond expectations, finds a new report from Arieso. Following a similar study in 2010, Arieso's new analysis reveals that so-called 'extreme' users are becoming even more extreme, with 1% of subscribers now consuming HALF of all downloaded data. One thing is clear: the capacity issues plaguing mobile operators around the world will worsen in 2012. The Arieso study, "Recent Smartphone Trends & the Extreme Data User", compares data usage across a variety of smartphones and connected devices. It finds that users of the iPhone 4S demand three times as much data as iPhone 3G users and twice as much as iPhone 4 users, who were identified as the most demanding in the 2010 study. In a finding consistent with 2010 results, it also shows that Google Nexus One users make twice as many data calls as iPhone 3G users. "The introduction of increasingly sophisticated devices, coupled with growing consumer demand, is creating unrelenting pressure on mobile networks. The capacity crunch is still a very real threat for mobile operators, and it looks set to only get harder in 2012," commented Dr. Michael Flanagan, CTO, Arieso and study author. "The mobile industry needs new investment and new approaches to boost network performance and manage the customer experience". Top Line Results The Arieso analysis compares the data consumption of users of the latest smartphones against the iPhone3G as a "normalised benchmark". The study found that different users and different devices exhibit very different demands on the network. The most significant change in consumer behaviour between 2010 and 2011 data has been catalysed by the introduction of the iPhone 4S. iPhone 4S users download 2.76 times as much data as users of the iPhone 3G. And while an Android-powered device maintains last year's position at the top of the table for uplink data volumes, with HTC Desire S users typically uploading 3.23 times as much data as iPhone 3G users, the iPhone 4S falls just behind in this category with a typical 3.20 times as much data uploaded. There are some very hungry handset users, even compared to the iPhone 3G benchmark (iPhone 3G = 100%): Data calls per subscriber: HTC Google Nexus One: 221% Sony Ericsson Xperia X10i: 157% HTC Desire: 156% Uplink data volumes: 3G Modems (various): 2654% HTC Desire S: 323% iPhone 4S: 320% Downlink data volumes: 3G Modems (various): 2432% iPhone 4S: 276% Samsung Galaxy S: 199% "While the report provides general trends, the studies on which they're based demonstrate the importance to operators of understanding the increased consumption each type of smartphone brings. Despite stark industry warnings, mobile operators are still playing 'Guess Who?' with their subscribers," continued Flanagan. "Without adequately preparing networks to support the new generation of smart devices, operators risk spiralling and misplaced operational expenditure and delivering a sub-par quality of experience to customers. It's critical that operators redouble their efforts to limit the impact of this inevitable squeeze." Arieso has published the detailed findings of its latest studies, conducted using ariesoGEO, together with in-depth analysis in its report "Recent Smartphone Trends & the Extreme Data User" which is available upon request.

Zero Chroma Teatro-S for iPhone 4x4S Review

I reviewed an iPad 2 case from Zero Chroma yesterday, and here's a companion case for your iPhone.  The Teatro-S for iPhone 4x4S case incorporates the rotating theater stand used in the Vario-SC case for the iPad 2. How does it stack up against its big brother? The Teatro-S is designed for iPhone 4 or 4S and fits models from AT&T or Verizon.  It's made of a hard plastic, and it's available in black, white, or pink.  The case is a hard shell that snaps over the back.  The corners of the iPhone are covered to protect against damage.  The interior is lined with felt to prevent scratches on the iPhone's back. The case is 4.5″ X 2.25″ X 0.45″ thick.  It weighs 0.85 ounce.  It doesn't add much bulk to the iPhone, and it doesn't change how the iPhone feels in hand very much.  I usually use the Bumper case, so the iPhone 4 feels a bit smaller and a bit slipperier to me in the Teatro-S case than in the Bumper. You'll notice two holes at the bottom of the case (left side of photo).  These holes allow you to attach a wrist strap.  The Zero Chroma website says a wrist strap is included with web orders, but I didn't receive one. The shiny, circular area is the rotating theater stand. The edges of the case wrap to the front of the iPhone.  This will lift the front glass off the table if you lay your phone facedown, but it doesn't interfere with the touchscreen operation.  It leaves the front camera, the ambient light and proximity sensors, and the home button completely open. The headphone jack, top microphone, and sleep/wake button are completely open.  I had no trouble using them. The mute and volume buttons are easy to use.  Note that there's a slight hump added to the back of the iPhone to make room for the rotating theater stand.  It's about 1x16″ thicker than the area at the top of the case. The speaker, bottom microphone, and docking connector are all completely exposed.  I had no trouble charging my phone while it was in the case. The back camera and flash have a very large opening.  The Teatro-S caused no problems when taking pictures. This picture also gives you a good view of the rotating theater stand in the closed position. These two views show the stand pulled out and ready for use.  The stand ratchets open, and Zero Chroma says there are 14 angles you can achieve with the stand.  It also rotates 360 degrees, with stops at 12-3-6-9.  The foot has an anti-slip rubber strip to prevent the iPhone from sliding around on the table. Here are examples of both portrait and landscape orientations.  Both were very stable.  No matter your height or the height of the table, you should be able to select an angle that's comfortable for watching videos or hands-free reading. Zero Chroma says this low angle is good for gaming, but I think it would also work for typing in the landscape orientation. I like the Zero Chroma Teatro-S case for my iPhone 4.  It doesn't feel much different in my hand than the caseless iPhone 4.  It offers protection without obscuring any of the ports or controls, and it gives me a stand that works for almost any position I could imagine without having to lug around a separate stand.  That sounds like a bargain to me.

Is Apple planning to soon ship iPhones with quad-core chips?

Some reliable people have discovered quad-core processor support into the iOS 5.1 beta code. So, we could expect quad-core iPhones and iPads in the near future. Shocker? Of course not. But it’s good to know Apple is already working on the next big hardware jump. A few months ago other skilful developers discovered the iPhone5,1 reference into the first iOS 5.1 beta code. It might turn out Apple is indeed gearing the next iPhone with a quad-core A6 chip. So, what do you think - will the next iPhone be a quad-core gadget or Apple will stick to the dual-core technology for one more generation? Source

iPhone 5 and iPad 3 may come with quad-core processors, iOS 5.1 beta reveals

Apple is undoubtedly already working on the next generation iPhone and iPad, which we'll call iPhone 5 and iPad 3 even though Apple may choose to release them under different names. In the past few days, we've seen many rumors about the next iPad, but none of those said anything about its processor. This bit of leaked info, though, may prove to be very good news for would-be buyers of Apple's next-gen mobile hardware. 9to5Mac found references to a quad-core processor in the latest iOS 5.1 beta's processing-core management software. The references come thanks to a hidden panel that describes cores which are supported by iOS devices. In the image above, “/cores/core.3″ almost certainly refers to a quad-core CPU architecture. That's because references to Apple's dual-core A5 processor are “/cores/core.1″, and single-core CPUs are referred to as “/core/core.0″. Those are the existing naming conventions within Apple's processing-core management software. Therefore it's quite clear that Apple is at the moment testing a quad-core device with iOS 5.1. What makes this more interesting is that if the iPad 3 is to launch in March, as we keep hearing, than it's clearly being tested right now with Apple's software. Which, you guessed it, would make this the device with the quad-core processor. And following last year's logic, when the iPad 2 first got the dual-core processor that eventually made it to the iPhone 4S, it's probably not a stretch to think that the next iPhone will sport a quad-core CPU too.

Keep Your iPhone Earbuds Neat & “Tidy” with TidyTilt

You know that feeling when you see an invention and marvel that no one had thought it up sooner?  Take a look at this iPhone accessory that has already been successfully funded through Kickstarter (with over 3 weeks still left on its fundraising campaign).  This is the TidyTilt, which solves a major problem and provides an additional couple of features.  Problem: how do you store your headphones/earbuds?  You're probably not alone if the answer is wrapping it several times around your iPhone or tossed haphazardly in your bag. The TidyTilt is primarily a cord wrap that will protect the integrity of your headphones and attach to your iPhone for on-board storage.  It is comprised of a thin magnetic frame that attaches to the back of the iPhone as well as a soft, magnetized polyurethane panel.  The panel is designed to fold around the headphone cord to keep it tangle-free.  When folded it can then also be used as a ”kickstand” for tilting the phone screen up, ideal for typing or watching movies.  Since both pieces of the system are magnetized, the iPhone can itself be mounted to any magnetized surface and the earbuds can be mounted and stored separately as well. Currently the TidyTilt is made exclusively for the iPhone 4x4S.  It isn't an iPad case–it will provide no screen protection–but it is compatible with many pre-existing cases.  TidyTilt can be preordered now through their site (which will link to Kickstarter until the fundraising campaign is over) in pink, green, blue, or black for $19 ($36 for a 2-pack) and are planned to start shipping in February.

Prank forces Siri to swear at a 12-year-old boy, bad Siri!

Apple's voice activated assistant Siri is a lot of things, but foul-mouthed is not one of them. However, it seems one prankster in the United Kingdom discovered a way to force Siri swear. And swear he did, at a 12-year-old boy.* According to the Telegraph, 12-year-old Charlie Le Quesne was at the Tesco branch in Coventry when the incident occurred. The boy was playing with a display unit iPhone 4S and asked Siri the world's population. His parents were horrified when the answer the phone gave included ‘shut the f*ck up you ugly tw*t.' The mystery was quickly solved when the boy's mother, Kim, complained to Tesco staff. As any Siri user will know, the Apple assistant refers to the user by name according to what's entered in the set-up instructions. The staffs say someone had tampered with this feature, entering in the phrase as the username on the phone. However, in a statement, Tesco said that it would be sending the phone back to Apple, anyway. “We have launched an investigation. The handset will be going back to Apple for diagnostic tests,” the Telegraph cites the retailer as saying.

iPhones Account for 78% of Mobile Video Viewing, Sony Ericsson Teases Next Xperia Device & Android Market Is Poised To Pass Apple's App Store

With 400,000 Apps, The Android Market Is Poised To Pass Apple's App Store Apple's App Store still has a greater selection with more than 500,000 apps, but Distimo says the Android Market is closing the gap. Google had 300,000 apps as of August 2011, so it only took four months to reach 400,000. It took Apple seven months to jump from 300,000 to 400,000 apps. Business Insider iPhone 4S Coming to China and 21 Other Countries Jan. 13 Apple fans in China and 21 other countries can snag the iPhone 4S on Jan. 13 for the first time. The latest iPhone will land in mainland China 10 days before the Chinese New Year, Jan. 23. Mashable Sony Ericsson Teases Next Xperia Device to Launch at CES We've seen a few leaks of upcoming Sony Ericsson devices, namely the Xperia arc HD aka Nozomi and another device, the yet-unseen LT28at. Both appear to have 720p displays and high-end specs, but Sony Ericsson is teasing one of these phones on their Facebook wall today, expected to launch next week at CES. MobileSyrup iPhones Account for 78% of Mobile Video Viewing A new Infographic from Wistia explores where we watch the most video and how likely we are to watch the full video based on the device we are using. When it comes to consuming videos on the go, the iPhone is at the top with 78% of mobile viewing. Having used both an iPhone 4S and several Android devices this makes loads of sense.

Verizon iPhone sales double to more than 4.2 million in Q4

Fueled by the launch of Apple's iPhone 4S, Verizon Wireless sold more than 4.2 million iPhones in the fourth quarter last year - more than double the number of iPhones it sold in the third quarter. Verizon's chief financial officer Fran Shammo revealed the carrier's iPhone sales for the December quarter during a talk at a Citigroup conference in San Francisco on Wednesday. Verizon Wireless's largest competitor, AT&T, is expected to have a record quarter as well for iPhone sales. While AT&T has not yet revealed any figures for the fourth quarter, we estimate that the company sold more than 5.5 million iPhones during its holiday quarter. The nation's No.2 carrier announced last month that it expected record smartphone sales for the quarter, and it had already sold 6 million units between October and November alone. AT&T's previous single-quarter sales record was 6.1 million smartphones.

Apple's LTE-enabled iPhone 5 to be a ‘radical update,' bigger catalyst than iPad 3 or iTV

While Apple's iPad 3 and its brand new HDTV will be big products for the Cupertino, California-based company in 2012, its “most important catalyst” will be a completely redesigned iPhone. Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu wrote in a note to clients on Wednesday that the launch of Apple's next-generation “iPhone 5″ is more important than Apple's upcoming “iPad 3″ and even its rumored “iTV,” which is reportedly set to launch this summer. Wu says that while Apple's iPad and its Siri-enabled television set are nothing to scoff at, the iPhone will still account for the biggest chunk of Apple's revenue and profit in 2012. Read on for more. “ is arguably the single most important of AAPL's businesses representing 44% of revenue in FY11 and what we estimate to be at least 60% of profits,” Wu wrote on Wednesday. “It also has the largest unit opportunity with a yearly TAM (total addressable market) of 1.5 billion mobile phones.” Citing anonymous sources from within Apple's supply chain, the analyst claims that Apple's next-generation iPhone 5 will feature a “radical” redesign including a thinner case with a sleeker form factor, a slightly larger display and compatibility with faster 4G LTE networks. Wu's account mirrors his earlier report from August, and it aligns closely with a recent report from Ticonderoga's Brian White, who also noted that Apple's next iPhone will include NFC capabilities. BGR exclusively reported last month that Apple will launch a redesigned iPhone this fall with an aluminum case.

Apple iPhone 4S to launch in China and 21 more countries on January 13th

Apple's iPhone 4S is set to launch in China and 21 more markets on January 13th. The popular smartphone was previously rumored to be scheduled for release in the region on January 23rd, but Apple announced on Tuesday that the launch of its latest smartphone will occur 10 days sooner. “Customer response to our products in China has been off the charts,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. “With the launch in China next week, iPhone 4S will be available in over 90 countries making this our fastest iPhone rollout ever.” China is seen as a key growth market for Apple's mobile devices as well as its MacBook line of notebook computers. Apple announced in October that it sold more than 4 million iPhone 4S handsets during the phone's debut weekend alone, and the smartphone has launched in dozens of additional regions since that point in time. Apple's full press release follows below. iPhone 4S Arrives in China on January 13 CUPERTINO, California―January 4, 2012―Apple® today announced that iPhone® 4S, the most amazing iPhone yet, will be available in China and 21 additional countries on Friday, January 13. iPhone 4S is packed with incredible new features including Apple's dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics; an all new camera with advanced optics; full 1080p HD resolution video recording; and Siri™, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. iPhone 4S comes with iOS 5, the world's most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features. "Customer response to our products in China has been off the charts," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "With the launch in China next week, iPhone 4S will be available in over 90 countries making this our fastest iPhone rollout ever." Beginning Friday, January 13, iPhone 4S will be available in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guam, Guinea Conakry, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Senegal, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos and Uganda. iPhone 4S comes in either black or white for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model, $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the new 64GB model.* iPhone 4S is sold through the Apple Online Store, Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 4 is available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 3GS is available for free with a two year contract from participating carriers. *Qualified customers only. Requires a new two year rate plan, sold separately.

Cord-On-Board: An iPhone Case with Charger Inside

Apple mobile devices have been around for almost 10 years, but its little white charging cable remained the same. It has been a constant companion to every iPod and iPhone user, and losing one could be devastating. With that in mind, a simple device that keeps your Apple charging cable in place is much needed. The Cord-On-Board is a shock-resistant iPhone/ iPod Touch case that comes with a 9.5-inch charging cable tucked inside. It is made from thermoplastic rubber material that can bear the brunt of accidental falls. And because of the added cable placed inside the case, expect your iDevice to get a bit bulky but that is understandable. But this device is still in the drawing board, which is why its maker, Caseinity, is asking for $20,000 of funding through Kickstarter. You can contribute to its development for as low as $25, which could get you one of the first batch of cases.

Sanwa iPhone Pico Projector

It's actually quite an advantage being a popular device like the Apple iPhone. Because of its popularity, it gets to have other makers create other interesting accessories to go with the device. One good example is the new Sanwa iPhone Pico Projector. The Sanwa Pico Projector is designed for the Apple iPhone 4. It is primarily a pico projector that can be used as a mini-dock for the iPhone. This system makes it more convenient since both the pico projector and the iPhone can be used as a single device. When used the Sanwa Pico Projector can provide up to 2.5 hours of steady projection and display images up to 65 inches in size on a screen or any flat surface. Not only that, the Sanwa Pico Projector can also be used as a backup power source for your iPhone. The portable projector's 2,100 mAh battery can be used to charge the iPhone when not being used as a projector. It is currently available in the Japanese market for 19,800 Japanese Yen or around US$260.

iPhone 4S will be available in China and other countries on January 13

Apple has just announced that the iPhone 4S will become available in China and some other countries on January 13 – in nine short days from now. That's excellent timing by Apple (well, maybe except for the fact that it's a Friday the 13th), especially considering the Chinese New Year which falls on January 23 in 2012. The run-up to that day is in China akin to the famous ‘holiday shopping season' in the ‘Western' world, and many Chinese will surely choose an iPhone 4S as the item to gift this year. Apple certainly needed to do all it could not to miss this huge sales opportunity. And now it won't. So expect the worldwide sales numbers for the iPhone 4S in the first quarter of 2012 to be heavily influenced by the Chinese launch.

The iPhone 4S comes to 22 new markets, January 13th

On January 13th, the iPhone 4S will touch down in a number of new markets including the likes of China, Jamaica and Kenya along with 19 others, across the globe. Apple's CEO Tim Cook has a lot to smile about, especially with a yet untapped market like China (with regards to the iPhone 4S at least). Tim states that, “Customer response to our products in China has been off the charts. With the launch in China next week, iPhone 4S will be available in over 90 countries making this our fastest iPhone rollout ever.” What's more, Chinese New Year hits on January 23rd with sales events not too dissimilar to that of the US's Black Friday. As such, Apple can expect very healthy figures once the shoppers hit the stores in coming weeks. Here's the full list of new markets about to receive the iPhone 4S from Apple's official press release: Beginning Friday, January 13, iPhone 4S will be available in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guam, Guinea Conakry, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Senegal, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos and Uganda. Are you planning on picking one up? Let us know in the comments. Source | Via

Motorola Droid 4 pictured next to iPhone 4S. Accessories show up in non-Verizon stores

Expected to be launched by Verizon in about a month, the Motorola Droid 4 still hasn't been announced, although we know pretty much all there is to know about it. Until the handset gets to be officially introduced, maybe you're curious to see what it looks like when standing next to the iPhone 4S. TechnoBuffalo has managed to get a Droid 4 demo unit, and photographed it alongside Apple's smartphone. As expected, the new Droid's sliding keyboard makes the device thicker than the iPhone 4S. The Droid 4 is also taller, since it has a 4 inch display, not just a 3.5 inch one like the iPhone.