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Tag: iPhone 5C

  • iPhone 5c Target of New Apple Marketing Campaign

    Earlier this year, CEO of Apple Tim Cook revealed that the iPhone 5c did not sell as well as Apple had expected it to, placing the blame upon the immediate market-recognition and appeal of the iPhone 5s: “I think the 5s, people are really intrigued with Touch ID. It’s a major feature that has excited people. And I think that associated with the other things that are unique to the 5s, got the 5s to have a significant amount more attention and a higher mix of sales.”

    If a recent report from Taiwan is proven to be true, sales of the iPhone 5c could be worse than Apple is letting on. According to Digitimes, some 3 million iPhone 5c units are sitting in warehouses in Taiwan waiting to go to market, but the demand simply isn’t there.

    Perhaps it is due to these low sales numbers and the impending release of the iPhone 6 that Apple forsaken its shunning of social media to virally market the iPhone 5c.

    Earlier this month, 9to5Mac reported that more and more Tumblr users had mentioned seeing a new ad which seemed to be marketing the iPhone 5c, hosted at isee5c.tumblr.com. The ads feature a background color in the same palette as the choices for the 5c along with the now iconic dots featured on the back of the iPhone 5c case.

    Beyond simply creating minimalist art inspired by the iPhone 5c aesthetic design, the ads also feature a brief music tune with a catchphrase at the end, such as “Viva o Carnaval”, “Porte de Lilas”, and “Enjoy the show”.

    After doing some investigation, 9to5Mac is fairly confident that it is Apple, and not some Apple fan, that is behind this social media marketing campaign; The ads are popping up as “sponsored” on Tumblr users pages and the source code shows that the videos are being hosted by a Vimeo account with the username MAL – MAL being an acronym for Apple’s advertising agency, Media Arts Lab.

    If this wasn’t enough of an indication that iPhone 5c sales are not good, one only need to look at the recent price cuts given to the 5c at Walmart retailers nationwide. If one is to start a new, 2-year contract with the iPhone 5c at Walmart right now, it would only cost $29 – a $16 reduction from the already ridiculously low price of $45.

    While Apple is most likely trying to drastically reduce the iPhone 5c inventory before the release of the iPhone 6, the design of the 5c is not going to disappear anytime soon. Recent reports suggest that the aesthetic design of the iPhone 6 will be a hybrid of the iPhone 5c and the 7th generation iPod Nano, keeping the color palette and button configuration of the iPhone 5c and adopting the anodized aluminum construction of the Nano.

    Image via Tumblr

  • iPhone 5S Available for Lowest Price Yet at Walmart

    If you’ve been waiting for prices to go down to purchase an iPhone 5S, the time is now, as Walmart has slashed their prices on the latest iPhone models. The iPhone 5S was selling for $145 at Walmart with a two-year plan, but you can now purchase the phone for $119. Walmart has reduced their price on the iPhone 5C as well. The new price cuts have many people wondering whether this is an indicator that we could see the iPhone 6 released sooner than anticipated.

    Walmart, who had the lowest iPhone 5S price around when the phone was first released in September 2013, announced the latest price cuts last week. Customers upgrading to the 16 GB iPhone 5S can save at least $26 compared to Walmart’s competitors when purchasing their device if they go through the mega retailer. Customers who are looking for an iPhone upgrade but are on a budget can purchase the iPhone 5C for $29 at Walmart, which is a price cut of $16 from the former price.

    So far Walmart hasn’t stated when the prices on the iPhone 5S and 5C will go up, or if they will go up at all. Customers can purchase the phone at the reduced rate by signing a two-year plan through Verizon or AT&T Mobility at Walmart. Just for comparison’s sake, if you were to purchase the iPhone 5S directly through AT&T, the purchase price would be $199 with a two-year agreement.

    Considering that the iPhone 5S was released less than one year ago, some people find it strange that there have been so many price cuts so far, which is prompting even more speculation that Apple may release another iPhone over the summer. Many consumers are hoping for a larger iPhone with the next release, as Apple has not remotely kept up with HTC, Samsung, and other companies as far as screen size is concerned.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Apple’s Going to Start Repairing Your Cracked iPhone 5c Screens In-Store

    Good news, clumsy iPhone 5C owners. The next time you smash the screen of your iPhone 5c in a tragic drunken texting accident, you’ll soon be able to walk into an Apple Store and have your screen repaired or replaced in about an hour. And since you won’t have to swap your trusty device for a brand new phone, you can avoid all of the hassle of re-apping.

    9to5 Mac is reporting that Apple will soon begin to repair busted iPhone 5C displays in-store – as early as next week. Apple’s been working on fitting all their stores with this ability for months, and now it’s about to go live.

    The on-site repair will take the place of the current most-common fix for a totally-shattered iPhone screen, which is simply swapping out the busted device for a new one. That can be costly, of course.

    Even at $149 (the estimated screen repair cost for those not covered), it’s still less money and less of a hassle than having to get a brand new phone.

    If you’re an iPhone 5s owner – sit tight. You’re next.

    Image via Apple

  • iPhone 5s Available for Pre-Order in China

    iPhone 5s Available for Pre-Order in China

    On the heels of Apple announcing on Sunday a partnership with China Mobile to sell the iPhone in that country, pre-orders for the iPhone 5s and 5c were made available on Christmas day in the Middle Kingdom.

    China Mobile commenced accepting pre-registration via its website, and through a customer service hotline on December 25. The iPhone will be available in China to subscribers on January 17.

    Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on the partnership, “Apple has enormous respect for China Mobile and we are excited to begin working together. China is an extremely important market for Apple and our partnership with China Mobile presents us the opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the world’s largest network.”

    Below is Apple’s 2013 Christmas ad:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImlmVqH_5HM

    No price point has been established for the iPhones, and China Mobile currently comprises over 763 million customers, roughly two-thirds of the entire country. The iPhone isn’t new to China; millions of users have adopted jailbroken devices for some time now, though most operate on slower networks. The China Mobile deal will allow users to access the fastest cellular networks, and likewise upgrade their devices.

    Various Twitter intrigue regarding the partnership:

    In related China news, on Saturday the unmanned Chang’e-3 spacecraft successfully landed on the moon. Chang’e-3 delivered “Yutu”, a.k.a “Jade Rabbit,” a solar-powered, six-wheeled robotic rover, equipped with multiple cameras and a number of spectrometers for sampling and analyzing the lunar landscape.

    Below is a clip of Chang’e-3 making a landing on the moon:

    Image via YouTube.

  • IPhone 5C Discount May Help Target’s Sales

    IPhone 5C Discount May Help Target’s Sales

    IPhones, or any Apple related product, usually causes buyer fever, especially around the holiday season. Many people have some form of Apple product on their Christmas wish list. Teens and early 20-somethings are especially likely to have the IPhone 5C or the IPhone 5S on the Christmas list they give to their parents or favorite aunts and uncles. Therefore, Iphone sales will probably see a major increase from Black Friday until New Year’s day. Additionally, a big discount on an IPhone 5C could entice consumers enough to shop at a  struggling company.

    Last weekend, to make up for the huge data breach, Target gave a 10% discount to all their shoppers. Many have complained that the discount wasn’t enough to draw them into shopping there anytime soon, or that they deserve a bigger discount. However, It could tempt enough consumers for Target to see a couple major sales days or weekends.

    Over the 10% discount weekend, the Iphone sales were not enough to give Target a huge increase in profits. In fact, its sales were down by about 4% percent from last year, while other major retail stores remained about steady over that weekend.

    The Target deals for last weekend, plus the 10% discount, made the Iphone 5c as low as $45 dollars. This deal also included a $50 dollar gift card.  The catch, of course,  is that you must sign a 2 year contract with one of the three major phone service providers (Verizon, AT&T or Sprint), which would cause customers to pay more in the long run. The current Target Iphone 5c sale offers the phone for between $30 and $200, with a $30 dollar gift card included.

    Last minute shoppers might run out and take Target up on this tempting deal. However, they might find a better deal by searching around other retailers or waiting for the after Christmas sales, which are happening earlier than ever this year.

    With so many other retailers selling IPhones, Target will have even more competition than ever, especially with people now questioning if Target is a reliable source for making purchases.

    Image, Via Facebook

  • Apple Seen Slashing iPhone 5C Orders

    For years Apple had maintained consistency with its iPhone releases. Each year the company would tout one new iPhone as the smartphone to have, and it worked. Apple has maintained a dominant position at the top of the high-end smartphone market for over half a decade.

    This year, with smartphone market growth slowing in established markets, Apple altered its iPhone release to include the new, less expensive iPhone that could make headway in emerging markets such as China and Brazil. To differentiate the iPhone 5C it from the still-premium iPhone 5S, Apple gave the phones colorful (some might say gaudy) case designs.

    Now evidence is mounting that this new gambit hasn’t worked the way Apple might have hoped.

    Back in October, rumors were already flying that Apple had halved its production of the iPhone 5C. This new pointed to slow early sales that may have been related to the device’s relatively high (though low, for iPhone standards) price of $549. Now DigiTimes is reporting that Apple has again slashed iPhone 5C orders from at lease one major manufacturer.

    The report cites unnamed “industry sources” as saying Apple has reduced its iPhone 5C orders from Taiwanese manufacturer Pegatron by over half. Long-time Apple manufacturer Foxconn is also rumored to have had its 5C orders reduced, with workers now transferred to iPhone 5S assembly.

    According to DigiTimes, Pegatron was to be responsible for as much as 70% of the iPhone 5C manufacturing to take place in the next year, with Foxconn making up the rest. Both Pegatron and Foxconn have denied these rumors, with Pegatron claiming that it will maintain its original production schedule.

  • iPhone 5S/5C Make Their Way To Boost Mobile On November 8

    The iPhone 5S and 5C launch has been the most successful iPhone launch yet for Apple with over 9 million units sold in the first weekend. You could attribute this success to the fact that the iPhone 5S launched in more countries and on more carriers than any other previous iPhone. Despite its far reaching launch, there are still some smaller carriers that don’t have Apple’s latest flagship device.

    Boost Mobile announced today that its customers will no longer have to look upon their Verizon or T-Mobile subscriber neighbors in envy as it will start carrying the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C on November 8. As is the case with all other devices on Boost Mobile, the iPhone 5S and 5C will enjoy unlimited talk, text and data for $55 a month.

    Unfortunately, Boost Mobile has not revealed the prices for either the iPhone 5S or 5C yet, but it’s not going to be cheap. The carrier doesn’t subsidize its phone prices so you’re probably going to be stuck paying the full price of the phone upfront. For the iPhone 5S, that will be $649 for the 16GB model. As for the iPhone 5C, you’ll be paying a not so affordable $549 for the 16GB model. If either of those options are a bit too pricey for you, you can opt to buy the more affordable iPhone 4S at $450.

    In more iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C news, Apple announced earlier this month that its latest mobile devices will be making their way to more countries on October 25 and November 1. On October 25, the device will land in a number of countries in Eastern Europe as well as South Korea. On November 1, it will make its way to more countries in South America, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

    [Image: Boost Mobile]

  • Apple Reducing iPhone 5C Production By Half [Report]

    Last month, Apple launched the iPhone 5C as the cheaper alternative to the iPhone 5S. Normally, the company would just reduce the price of the existing iPhone 5 and call it a day, but the iPhone 5C represented its effort to try something different this time around. As it turns out, different is not always better.

    Chinese Tech site C Technology reports (as translated by CNET) that iPhone 5C production levels have been reduced by half. The site gives no reason for the apparent decrease in production, but it should pretty obvious. The iPhone 5C just doesn’t have the same allure as the iPhone 5S. The iPhone brand has always been about premium quality, and the iPhone 5C looks like a child’s toy with its colorful plastic backing.

    Despite its reported underperformance, it’s much too early to count the iPhone 5C out. After all, the iPad Mini went through the same thing when it first launched. The first few weeks saw little demand for the miniature tablets, but demand grew as more people jumped on board the idea of a smaller iPad. The iPhone 5C could be going through a similar situation.

    Of course, there are some differences between the iPad Mini and the iPhone 5C that one should take into account. For starters, the iPhone 5C doesn’t look like an iPhone – it looks like a toy. The iPad Mini was sold on the fact that it was an iPad, but smaller. For the iPhone 5C, Apple uses cheesy tag lines like “unapologetically plastic” that make it seem like something your child would play with.

    It also doesn’t help matters that some consumers see the “C” in iPhone 5C, and automatically think it stands for cheap. At $549 off contract, the iPhone 5C is anything but cheap. Sure, it goes for $99 with subsidies, but not all markets offer the same kind of subsidies that U.S. carriers do. Chinese consumers, who are quickly becoming Apple’s bread and butter, are getting the shaft from China Telecom as its lowest subsidized price for an iPhone 5C is still much too high at 1598 yuan ($261.29).

    With this in mind, it doesn’t seem all too surprising that Apple would be cutting its iPhone 5C orders. After all, it’s trying to sell last year’s iPhone 5 in a cheap plastic chassis marred by an ugly plastic case.

    [Image: Apple]

  • Plastics in Smartphones to Surge in Coming Years

    Apple’s high-end iPhones are known for their sleek metal casings. The company spent years perfecting the machining of the iPhone 4 and then the iPhone 5 cases. Other manufacturers have done the same with their high-end smartphones, most notably HTC with its One smartphone. Apple’s largest competitor, Samsung, has taken a different route, crafting its Galaxy smartphone lineup out of a tough plastic.

    This year, Apple finally turned to plastic to keep costs down. The new iPhone 5C breaks away from Apple tradition and is cased in a polycarbonate plastic. The company unapologetic about this decision.

    The iPhone 5C, in fact, could be a preview of things to come for the smartphone industry. Industry analyst firm IHS today estimates that the market for molded plastic components for phones will rise rapidly in the coming years. The market is already predicted to hit $3.5 billion this year, up slightly from last year’s $3.3 billion. In the coming years, though, the plastics market for phones is expected by IHS to hit $4.5 billion by 2017, a full 27% increase over four years. The total weight of plastic resin used in phones in 2017 is expected to be 336,000 metric tons.

    “Plastic components are becoming increasingly important in mobile handsets, and especially in smartphones,” said Kristin Squires, a chemicals industry consultant at IHS. “Amid rising competition in the market, smartphone original equipment manufacturers (OEM) are seeking ways to drive down costs for raw materials, manufacturing and assembly. Plastic offers multitude ways to cut these expenses.”

  • Apple Sold 9 Million iPhone 5S/5C Models Over The Weekend

    On Friday, Apple launched the iPhone 5S and 5C. The former is an upgrade over last year’s iPhone 5, and the latter is just an iPhone 5 in a new plastic casing. Launching two new iPhones at once has never happened before, but it seems to have worked out well for the Cupertino-based company.

    Apple announced this morning that it sold 9 million iPhone 5S/5C models over the weekend. It didn’t bother to break down sales between the two, but it’s assumed that the iPhone 5S did better than the 5C. This assumption is made on Apple stating that iPhone 5S demand is outstripping supply.

    “This is our best iPhone launch yet―more than nine million new iPhones sold―a new record for first weekend sales,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The demand for the new iPhones has been incredible, and while we’ve sold out of our initial supply of iPhone 5s, stores continue to receive new iPhone shipments regularly. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough new iPhones for everyone.”

    As you may have noticed, the new iPhone launch was preceded by the launch of iOS 7. The new mobile OS is available to everything from the iPhone 4 and up, and is already spreading faster than a wildfire on a windy day. Apple says that iOS 7 is now on 200 million iOS devices which makes it fastest software upgrade in history.

    It should be noted that the market reacted negatively to the iPhone 5S/5C reveal. There was a feeling that the iPhone 5C was just too expensive, and that perhaps Apple could never recapture the magic it had under Steve Jobs. That skepticism is all in the past today, however, as Apple’s share price shot up by 27 points this morning.

    [Image: Apple]

  • How Different Is The iPhone 5C From the iPhone 5?

    Today is the day – the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are launching in stores around the world. People are no doubt picking up the iPhone 5S in droves, but what about its cheaper counterpart – the iPhone 5C? Is there any reason to upgrade to the 5C from the iPhone 5?

    In a new teardown video from cellhelmet, he takes apart both the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C to see just how different they are. In short, the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C are nearly identical spec wise. The difference comes from how the two devices are built which is sure to please those who like to take apart and rebuild mobile devices.

    So, what does this mean to the average consumer? Not much. If you already own an iPhone 5, you won’t see any performance improvement from the iPhone 5C. The only reason to buy the iPhone 5C is if you like its colorful plastic casing. For everybody else, the iPhone 5S is your best option when looking for a noticeable upgrade in performance.

    [h/t: Gizmodo]
    [Image: Michael Kane/YouTube]

  • It’s iPhone 5s And 5c Release Day

    The day is here. Eager consumers can now get their iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c. At least some of them can. Word is that supplies of the gold model are limited, so if that’s the one you want, you can try your luck. Either way, the release date is upon us.

    Here’s what people are saying about the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c in real time:



    “iPhone 5s is the most forward-thinking smartphone in the world, delivering desktop class architecture in the palm of your hand,” said Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Philip Schiller, upon announcing the device. “iPhone 5s sets a new standard for smartphones, packed into its beautiful and refined design are breakthrough features that really matter to people, like Touch ID, a simple and secure way to unlock your phone with just a touch of your finger.”

    “iPhone 5c is everything iPhone 5 was and more, in an all-new design packed with great features,” said Schiller. “iPhone 5c is designed with a beautiful polycarbonate enclosure that looks and feels so solid in your hand.”

    The 5s comes in gold, silver, or “space gray”. It’s available in the US for $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB model and $399 for the 64GB model. The 5c comes in blue, green, pink, yellow and white and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $99 for the 16GB model and $199 for the 32GB model.

    iPhone 5s cases are available in beige, black, blue, brown, yellow and red for $39. 5c cases are available in blue, green, pink, yellow, black and white for $29.

    You can read more about the devices here.

    Image: Apple

  • Microsoft Shares, Then Pulls, Ads Mocking The iPhone 5S/5C

    The iPhone 5S and 5C were only announced on Tuesday, and the competition is already pouncing on them. Nokia took the first swipe on Twitter on Tuesday, and now Microsoft has created seven new videos mocking the various design decisions seen in both the iPhone 5S and 5C.

    As is the case with most rushed projects, Microsoft’s latest attempt to go after Apple doesn’t exactly fair that well. In the first video, we get a design meeting between what appears to be Steve Jobs and a poor Jony Ive impersonator.

    First things first – does Microsoft think that Jobs is alive? Maybe they believe Apple pulled a Disney and cryogenically froze the Apple founder only to thaw him out when the company needs to approve a design concept. You have to remember that this is the same company that made the butt ping pong ad so it’s already apparent that nothing is sacred to Microsoft.

    This is the part of the article where I would have embedded the videos for you to watch and either get a quick laugh or a short sigh out of. As you can see, however, that’s not happening. In the process of writing this piece, Microsoft took the videos offline in what appears to be an attempt to save face after receiving some vitriolic YouTube comments that called the company for using a representation of the deceased Jobs to poke fun at the iPhone 5S.

    Thankfully, YouTuber dwayne smaith preserved the first (and longest) video:

    There were six other videos, but they’re no longer available. Microsoft must have realized that it’s usually not okay to mock a competing company using said company’s deceased founder. It also could have been due to the absolutely vitriolic response it received in the YouTube comments on the video.

    In any case, we’ve reached out to Microsoft to find out why it took the videos down, and if it has any intention of putting them back up.

    UPDATE: A Microsoft spokesperson just got back to us and had this to say about the now deleted videos:

    “The video was intended to be a light-hearted poke at our friends from Cupertino. But it was off the mark, and we’ve decided to pull it down.”

    [Image: WindowsPhone/YouTube]
    [h/: MacRumors]

  • No iPhone 5S Pre-Orders, iPhone 5C Doesn’t Sell Out

    Earlier this week, Apple unveiled its next iPhone, the iPhone 5S. The device featured all of the upgrades that had been leaked in the weeks before the announcement. In addition, Apple unveiled a second, lower-priced, colorful iPhone called the iPhone 5C. The 5C is designed to replace the iPhone 5, and has much of the same hardware.

    The iPhone 5S did not open up for pre-orders this morning, leaving Apple fans to wait outside Apple stores on September 20. In previous years, new iPhone models have broken pre-order records on an annual basis. However, as the morning fades into afternoon, the lower-priced iPhone 5C, which is up for pre-order, is still very much available. The 5C can still be pre-ordered in each of its five colors, on every one of the top four U.S. mobile providers.

    Though market watchers and Apple fans had anticipated nearly every aspect of the iPhone 5C, the price of the device was somewhat contentious in the lead-up to this year’s iPhone presentation. The smartphone markets in the U.S. and Europe have begun to saturate, and analysts are predicting much of the market’s growth in the coming years will be from low- and mid-priced smartphones sold in emerging markets such as Brazil, India, and China. Predictions have already been made that the iPhone 5C’s price ($549 for the 16GB model, $649 for the 32GB model) is not nearly low enough to compete with cut-priced Android handsets.

    As the open pre-orders for the iPhone 5C seem to suggest, Apple may have a hard time offering products for these markets. The company, even before the advent of the iPod, has positioned itself as a premium brand with higher-priced products. Though Apple will continue to be a major influence on the smartphone market for years to come, it now appears that it will have to pioneer a new market segment if it hopes to sustain the explosive growth the company has seen over the past half-decade.

  • iPhone 5S Will Start Under $200 at Walmart

    iPhone 5S Will Start Under $200 at Walmart

    Want to upgrade to the iPhone 5S when it is released on September 20, and want to get the best bang for your buck? You can pick up the iPhone 5S at Walmart on the release date starting at $189, which will save you $10 over the retail giant’s competitors. Walmart announced their slightly lower prices on the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C (starting at $79) on Thursday.

    An $10 savings doesn’t sound like much–and isn’t considering how much you will spend on accessories, apps and the contract until the next upgrade–but those few extra bucks should get you a screen protector or will at least cut down on the sales taxes you will pay. Walmart is undercutting Apple and other carriers such as AT&T and Verizon with their lower iPhone prices. While undercutting the competition isn’t anything new for Walmart, offering a reduced price on the new iPhone this quickly is slightly surprising.

    As usual, getting a new iPhone for under $200 will require you to sign a 2-year contract. If you can wait until a day after the launch, September 21, to purchase your new iPhone 5S, Walmart will also accept a trade-in of your old smartphone and apply the credit towards your iPhone 5S purchase.

    Walmart will be offering its other iPhones at substantially reduced prices, should you need an upgrade but want to skip on getting the latest and greatest (that last part is up for debate). Skip the crowds that may resemble the Walmart Black Friday madness in the electronics section if you opt for an older iPhone. Starting September 16, you can get the iPhone 4 for only 10 cents, and it comes with a $100 gift card. The 16GB iPhone 5 is now $79, which is about a $20 markdown.

    The iPhone 5S will have new features such as Touch ID (fingerprint identity sensor), the iSight camera and the M7 processor, plus it will be available in three colors–silver, gold and space gray.

    Will you be in line at Walmart on September 20 to get the iPhone 5S or will you go elsewhere? Leave your comments below.

    Image via YouTube

  • iPhone 5C Not Expected to Compete With Android

    Earlier this week, Apple unveiled its latest iPhone, the iPhone 5S. In addition, the company also unveiled the iPhone 5C, a lower-cost smartphone aimed at emerging markets where low- and mid-prices smartphones are expected to make up a majority of the market. It also comes in five bright colors.

    Soon after the announcement, market watchers weighed in on the 5C, with some claiming the device’s price simply isn’t low enough to compete with Android devices, with even some high-end Android devices now priced lower than the iPhone 5C. Today, DigiTimes is backing up these claims by reporting that the 5C is not expected to affect Android sales in any meaningful way. The report cites unnamed “sources in the handset industry in China” as saying the price of the device ($549 off-contract) is simply too high to compete with entry-level Android offerings. This is especially true in China, where local manufacturers are dominating the emerging mid- and low-priced smartphone market.

    The report does also state that the iPhone 5C will help Apple gain market share in the fourth quarter of this year. However, DigiTimes’ sources predict that Apple smartphone market share growth will be limited, with Android smartphone sales continuing to make up around 80% of the market.

    Meanwhile, Android smartphone manufacturers will be putting pressure on the high-end iPhone 5S with new devices this fall, such as the Galaxy Note 3 and the Xperia Z1. In addition, Samsung and Sony in particular will get a head-start in the wearable computing market with their recently announced smart watches.

    (via DigiTimes)

  • Watch Apple’s iPhone Event in Its Entirety

    Watch Apple’s iPhone Event in Its Entirety

    Yo, iFans – if you missed Apple’s big iPhone 5S & 5C press event yesterday, you’re probably not alone. Apple chose not to stream it in the U.S.

    Lucky for you, it’s now available for your streaming pleasure on Apple.com.

    Or, you can just watch it below:

    For more coverage of yesterday’s event, check here.

    [YouTube via Apple]

    Image via Apple

  • iPhone 5C = 5 Babies In This Taiwanese Animation Version Of Apple’s News

    NMA is at it again. The Taiwanese animation studio has put out its parody of Apple’s new iPhone 5C and 5S unveilings.

    The video includes such scenes as a woman trying to trade a baby for an iPhone 5C, only to be greeted with a sign from Tim Cook indicating that one of the devices is worth five babies. Another involves a criminal stealing somebody’s iPhone 5S, and also chopping off the victim’s finger and wearing it on a necklace to get around the fingerprint security.

    Yeah, it’s classic NMA stuff.

    Don’t worry. They’re not biased. The other day, they some fun with the Android Kit Kat announcement too.

  • iPhone 5C: Here’s Apple’s Jony Ive And Craig Federighi Explaining Why It’s So Great (And So Plastic)

    How many times have you heard the words “unapologetically plastic” in the past 24 hours? Well, get ready to hear it one more time.

    Apple has released a five-minute video looking at the new, more inexpensive iPhone model, which comes in a variety of colors (hence the “For the colorful” tagline).

    Now, watch the parody version.

    The device appears to be aimed at markets in the developing world, but while it’s certainly less expensive than other models, some don’t think it’s cheap enough, and based on Apple’s stock, investors appear to agree.

    More Apple coverage here.

    Image: Apple (YouTube)

  • iPhone 5C, or iPhone ‘Cheapass,’ Gets a Great Parody Ad

    As you may have heard, Apple unveiled its new lower-cost, plastic-bodied iPhone yesterday, called the iPhone 5C. While Twitter has already been speculating as to what that “C” might stand for, Dartanion London already figured it out a couple of days before the launch.

    They called it the “Cheapass” (pronounced Cha-Pahs).

    “We decided to use more plastic,” says Gary Miller, Minerals Scientist and Secret Keeper. “But this isn’t some garden variety material – we harvest the plastic when it’s still a baby so it’s soft and supple. It’s like the veal of plastic.”

    Great job, guys:

    Despite the iPhone 5C’s $99 price tag (with a two-year contract, of course), analysts are already saying that it’s not cheap enough to compete in emerging markets. Oh well, at least enthusiastic iPhone 5C buyers will be able to cover their plastic iPhone in a $29 plastic case. Take that, you metal-loving assholes.

    Image via Apple

  • iPhone 5C Not Cheap Enough, Says Analyst

    iPhone 5C Not Cheap Enough, Says Analyst

    Yesterday Apple held its yearly iPhone presentation, unveiling the anticipated iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C smartphones. No surprises were seen in the hardware, which had been heavily leaked in the months leading up to the announcement. The price, however, had been much debated in the lead-up to the Apple event. Now, with the lowest price of the iPhone 5C set at $99 with a two-year contract, it remains to be seen whether the colorful new device can compete in the markets Apple intends it to.

    Market research firm IHS today jumped out with a prediction on the matter, stating that the price of the iPhone 5C is not quite low enough to compete, particularly in emerging markets such as China and Brazil, where market watchers have predicted smartphone growth will be centered in the coming years. Though the price tag is low for an iPhone, the firm predicts that the unsubsidized price of the iPhone 5C will not entice buyers in the market for low cost phones. In emerging markets, Apple will be pitting the iPhone 5C against a range of even lower-priced Android-based handsets.

    “At an unsubsidized cost of $549, the iPhone 5C remains at the same price point as the existing mid-range model in Apple’s smartphone line, the iPhone 4S,” said Francis Sideco, director of the consumer electronics division at IHS. “In light of this pricing, the 5C appears to be a midrange product that cannot significantly expand the available market for the iPhone line to lower-income buyers. As a result, the arrival of the 5C will not spur a major increase in iPhone sales in the second half of 2013 compared to previous expectations.”

    Though IHS does not expect the 5C to significantly increase Apple shipments, the firm is still predicting an overall increase in Apple’s shipment numbers. It sees iPhone shipments hitting over 86 million units in the second half of 2013, up from 68 million unit shipments during the first half of the year.