Reviews: Apple iPhone 5 (16GB/32GB/64GB) | iLounge

Jeremy Horwitz, iLounge:

Apple claimed “up to 6 hours” of 3G Internet use on the iPhone 4S, so it was exciting to see that the iPhone 5 promise “up to 8 hours” of LTE or 3G Internet use. Unfortunately, this turns out to be a best case scenario: if you’re using your iPhone 5 in places a with a very strong (4- to 5-bar) LTE or 3G signal, your cellular battery life may approach that number, but if not, the cellular antenna will struggle to maintain a signal, and fall well short. Because LTE and 3G/4G towers are in a state of build-out flux right now, our tests suggest that many LTE users won’t come close to Apple’s promised numbers.

This might explain why here in Austin, TX where the LTE network is well built out, I get such great battery life.

8 Million iPhone 5's Sold?

John Paczkowski, All Things D:

“We have counted iPhone launch day lines at every launch since the iPhone 3G in 2008,” Munster said in a note to clients. “We believe that based on our count of 775 customers in line for the iPhone 5 at the flagship 5th Avenue store, demand for the iPhone 5 is higher than any previous launch. We believe the line for the iPhone 5 was 70 percent greater than the line for the iPhone 4S despite Apple taking 2x as many online preorders. … Given the strength of the line for the iPhone 5, we are incrementally more confident in Apple’s ability to sell 8 million phones in the launch weekend.”

Some Early Adopters Claim iPhone 5 Case Is Scratch-tacular

Mike Isaac, All Things D:

A number of Apple early adopters claim that the back case of the iPhone 5 is highly susceptible to scratching and more visible signs of wear and tear, according to multiple reports from across the Web.
Perhaps even more serious, numerous accounts state that users are receiving iPhone 5 devices damaged directly out of the packaging, before customers have had chance to actually lay hands the device.
It seems to be an issue with the anodized aluminum surface, and the apparent difficulty that comes with keeping the device from getting nicks and scrapes. It appears that the black version is either more susceptible to damage than its white counterpart, or signs of visible wear are more readily visible due to the higher contrast in colors.

Apple Maps: Damned If You Do, Googled If You Don’t | Monday Note

Jean-Louis Gassée:

For Apple, Maps is a strategic move. The Cupertino company doesn’t want to depend on a competitor for something as important as maps. The road (pardon the pun) will be long and tortuous, and it’s unfortunate that Apple has made the chase that much harder by failing to modulate its self-praise. but think of the number of times the company has been told You Have No Right To Do This…think smartphones, stores, processors, refusing to depend on Adobe’s Flash…

Apple Says Give Maps Time, The More You Use it The Better It Is

The Verge:

Apple issued a statement today regarding the much maligned maps in iOS 6. It says that it launched the service knowing that it is a ‘major initiative’ and that it is just getting started with it. “The more people use it, the better it will get, said Apple spokesperson Trudy Miller.

Apple's timid new iPod nano sidesteps a smartwatch revolution | The Verge

The Verge:

Even TikTok watch band designer Scott Wilson was ready for Apple to upend his business with an actual watch. "I was hoping they would keep it the same or tweak it a little so we could stay in the business," he told The Verge. "But if they didn't I was hoping they would at least make an Apple watch because I want to wear that." He's genuinely disappointed. "The nano in that form factor gave me a reason to have three iOS devices on my body, and now I don't."

YouTube Blog: Introducing a new YouTube app for your iPhone and iPod touch

For all you diehard YouTube fans out there who can’t get enough YouTube on your mobile, we’ve got some great news: starting today, you can download the official YouTube app for iPhone and iPod touch from the App Store, bringing you more of the videos you love and more ways to share them with the people you care about.

The new app is built by YouTube engineers, to give our iPhone and iPod touch users the best mobile experience.

 As expected.

Production of 13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro and Updated iMacs Reportedly Ramping Up - Mac Rumors

As I predicted on last week's Hypercritical, this just in from Eric Slivka at Mac Rumors:

Late last month, NPD DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim reported that suppliers had begun production on 2560x1600 display panels destined for a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. The machine has been rumored to be launching in October.

Apple TV No IPhone as Talks Bog Down With Media Companies - Bloomberg

Saving this guy for later. Bloomberg:

“It’s not a nice, simple, easy story that Apple is going to come in and turn the world upside-down and we’re all going to live happily ever after,” said Craig Moffett, an analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., who has been studying the cable industry for two decades. Moffett added that any notion that Apple could soon unveil its TV system “ignores the business realities that make this such a complicated industry.”

A First iPhone 5 Sales Estimate: 10 Million in a Week - John Paczkowski - News - AllThingsD

John Paczkowski, All Things D:

According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, iPhone sales for the period could range between 26 million and 28 million units, with the bulk of that increase occurring the week of the 21st.
“We believe that if the 21st is the actual ship date, Apple could sell 6 million to 10 million iPhone 5s in the final week of September barring supply issues,” Munster speculates.

AntiSec Leaks 1m Apple UDIDs Allegedly Obtained from FBI Breach

Josh Ong:

They published the UDID numbers to call attention to suspicions that the FBI used the information to track citizens. Much of the personal data has been trimmed, however, with the hackers claiming to have left enough for “a significant amount of users” to search for their devices.

There's already a tool to check if your UDID is on the list.

I've always assumed the FBI was tracking me (and not just me, but everyone its able to) so this is anything but a surprise. The privacy crown and conspiracy theorists should have a field day with this one.

Apple Will Now Give You up to $345 For Your Old iPhone 4S

Matt Brian, The Next Web:

If reports are true, Apple is days away from announcing its next-generation iPhone, the long-awaited follow-up to its fast-selling iPhone 4S. If you’re already shuddering at the thought of paying out for the new device, Apple can help you offset the cost by offering you up to $345/£300 for your device, depending on its condition.

Apple Pulls 'Genius' TV Ads from YouTube and Apple.com - Mac Rumors

Apple stopped airing the ads on television soon after they were introduced during the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics, with Apple's ad agency saying they "were intended only for a 'first run' during the Olympics". They remained on YouTube and Apple's website for several weeks, and only in the past several days were they removed entirely.

Verizon Vacation Blackout Reveals The New iPhone Will Launch On Friday, September 21 | TechCrunch

Jordan Crook, TechCrunch:

A trusted Verizon employee has just confirmed to TechCrunch that the carrier is having an all-staff vacation blackout from the dates of Friday, September 21 to September 30.

Makes sense to me.