Best things to use the iPhone 5 for

One of the best things about the iPhone 5 is its camera. If you are a keen photographer and videographer, then this is the phone for you for those moments on the go. It is much faster which means that you now do not have to wait between shots. The speed is a great asset and in situations like photographing children, you can get lots of frames, ensuring that you don't miss that vital expression! It also has an interesting panorama feature. As you take pictures and turn the camera, it stitches the pictures together. 

It has on screen directions which tell you to slow down if you are moving too fast and an arrow also helps keep you on the same horizontal line so that at the end you will have a full rectangle sized panoramic image.  The front facing camera is a 1.2 mega pixel, 720p camera and massive improvements have been made to this. It means that your face time calls will be much clearer, and your front facing pictures are of a much higher quality. It doesn't match up to the quality of the camera on the back, but that's still a great quality camera. 

Video on the new iPhone is shot at 1080p, so the quality of your video is much higher than ever before on smartphones. Stabilization is much better too, so you won't have as much of the unsteady guerrilla style filming you will have encountered before.

Another fantastic feature is that you can snap pictures while you are recording video. Although the improvements between the iPhones 4s and iPhone 5 are small, if you are someone who spends your life capturing a lot of photographs and video, then this alone would be a good enough reason to upgrade to the iPhone 5.

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iPhone 5, 4S are Apple's greenest phones yet

Apple says it makes the "the most environmentally responsible products in our industry," and an independent study has backed up this claim. iFixit and Healthystuff.org dissected 36 smartphones and analyzed their chemical composition using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The study graded the phones based on the presence of known hazardous chemicals like bromine, mercury and lead.

Over the years, Apple has steadily improved its products moving from a "high concern" rating for the original iPhone to a "low concern" rating for the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5. The iPhone 3G and the iPhone 4 are both in the "moderate concern" level, with the iPhone 4 (2.95) falling just under the 2.81 score of the "low concern" Samsung Evergreen.

[Source: TUAW - Read more there]

iPhone 5 speaker is loudest iPhone speaker yet

Lucky iPhone 5 owners (I'm not one of them yet) can be proud to know that their new device is the loudest iPhone yet. The folks over at iClarified thought that it seemed a bit louder than older versions, so they did the right thing and tested the iPhone 5 -- and every other model of iPhone ever built -- with a decibel meter.

What they found is that the iPhone 5 speaker is indeed the loudest yet, pumping out an impressive 100.3 dBA when a pink noise file was played in the Music app. That's greater than the previous winner, the iPhone 4S, which tipped the meter at 97.9 dBA. Remember that the decibel A-weighting (dBA) is measured on a logarithmic scale, so that seemingly insignificant 2.4 dBA difference actually corresponds to an 18 percent increase in loudness.

[Source: TUAW - Read the full story there]

iPhone 5 outperforms Galaxy S III in damage tests

Despite reports about the iPhone 5's aluminum back being easily scratched, Byte is reporting that tests of the iPhone 5 show that it is much more durable than its biggest competitor -- Samsung's Galaxy S III.

Byte cited torture tests from three different sources: PhoneDoctors, Android Authority, and SquareTrade.com. These sites did everything from dropping the phones and having a toddler toss one onto concrete, to throwing them into swimming pools. For the most part the iPhone 5 survived everything that it was subjected to. The Samsung smartphone? It wasn't so lucky.

[Source: TUAW]

Verizon iPhone 5 update fixes mobile data use on WiFi bug

Verizon customers received an unexpected bonus when they opted for the latest iPhone, but in an unfortunate case of carrier Karma, the necessary sacrifice was their mobile data. An update has been issued to fix a Verizon-specific bug which, "under certain circumstances," used cellular data when connected to WiFi. To plug the potential leak, you'll need to head to the About screen in the phone's Settings, General menu, where you should find a update prompt. Install, then -- importantly -- reboot, and if "Verizon 13.1" shows as your carrier in that same About tab, you know you're safe. We'd also recommend checking your data allowance with crossed fingers -- for what use is LTE if you've already hit your monthly cap?

[Source: Engadget]

The A6 inside the iPhone 5 varies its clock speed for performance

One possible reason the iPhone 5 has such great battery life is the clever way the A6 changes its clock speed. While originally thought to be clocked at 1GHz, the chip has been clocked at 1.1GHz as well as 1.3GHz by Current Editorials.

While 9to5Mac saw the chip's speed drop as low as 550MHz, this seemed to do more with an as-yet-updated Geekbench app testing the chip (which also resulted in the 1GHz assumption). A Geekbench update seems to paint a different picture now. By all accounts it appears the chip can change "speeds," however, resulting in better battery life and dynamically tuning itself to the demand for CPU.

Between this and the human-powered layout found in the dissection of the A6, it's obvious Apple's decades of hardware expertise have all led to creating an amazing CPU for the iPhone 5.

[Source: TUAW]

Foursquare rolls out iPhone 5 / iOS 6 update, Explore gains more personalization options

Foursquare is on an update tear. Aside from the "Always On" feature it introduced recently, the company just rolled out a new iPhone update that lets users create more personalized maps. Compatible with iOS 6, the update improves upon the existing Explore map with a more tailored search experience -- you can map out places you haven't been, top destinations, favorite spots, or where your friends have checked in. The app also promises to be faster and to have an improved design that takes advantage of the iPhone 5's larger screen. The new update certainly goes along with the company's philosophy that Foursquare is a discovery and recommendations engine rather than just another social service. Let's just hope the new Apple Maps doesn't hamper that experience.

[Source: Engadget]

iPhone 5 launch spurs store heists from Tennessee to Japan

It is no secret that Apple devices are in high demand; and due to their not-so cheap price tags, a slew of heists have occurred around the world since the launch of the anticipated iPhone 5.

A few of the more notable thefts come from Murfreesboro, Tenn., London, United Kingdom, and Osaka, Japan. In Tuesday’s Murfreesboro (what a name, eh?) case, which police dubbed “the most systematic, brazen crimes they’ve seen in years,” according to the local NewsChannel5, eight thieves allegedly swiped over $100,000 in stolen iPhone 5s and iPads from a Best Buy. Surveillance video even shows the group, with each crook wearing hooded sweatshirts and dark ski masks, plowing down the store’s loading garage door with a hot car.

Another incident involves 252 pilfered iPhone 5s in London. According to the U.K.’s Mirror News, the smartphones were shoplifted just hours before launch time at an O2 store in Wimbledon. Cops are looking for the Tandem Centre store’s assistant, 23-year-old Usman Sethi, in connection to the crime. The new iPhones disappeared along with some cash around 1:30 a.m. from the store’s safe.

In Osaka, law enforcement said 191 iPhone 5s went missing from three different stores between 2:30 and 4:30 a.m. The Wall Street Journal noted surveillance video at one of those stores, Softbank Corp, show three male culprits stealing the Apple devices from a locked backroom within a four minute span. It is unclear at this time if the “unusual string” of robberies are connected.

[Source: 9to5Mac]

This is the first jailbroken iPhone 5

Unless Walt Mossberg or David Pogue knocked it last week, @Chpwn (Grant Paul) has the first jailbroken iPhone 5,which he posted to his Twitter account a few minutes ago. It is usually common courtesy to give Apple devices 24 hours before jailbreaking, but someone apparently could not help himself.

[Source: 9to5Mac]

Motorola pokes fun at iOS 6 Maps, wants to prevent people becoming #iLost

By now, the vast majority of Android users -- no, make that people in the world -- have heard about Apple's new replacement for Google Maps in iOS 6. Proudly announced during their iOS 6 keynote, replacing Google Maps was another step away from using Google services for the Cupertino giant. Since the launch, much has been said about the maps, and their apparent lack of some key information within the maps themselves. 

We'll admit it. It makes us chuckle. As we sit here using our native Google Maps, more and more we see comments arising from iPhone owners, both new and old, slating iOS6 Maps. And now, Google owned Motorola is joining in on the fun. 

Looking for 315 E 15th in Manhattan? Google Maps on DROID RAZR M will get you there & not #iLost in Brooklyn.

Seen on the Motorola Mobility Google+ page, and on their Twitter page, the message is clear. While an obvious advertisement for their latest handset -- and perhaps the RAZR M's edge to edge screen, compared to the 'stretched' iPhone 5 -- rather than Google Maps itself, we wonder how long before the #iLost tag will catch on. Probably until Google releases a third-party Google Maps application into the iOS App Store, but until then, we can but chuckle away.

[Source: Andoird Central]

iPhone 5 owners report scuffs and scratches out of the box

When Apple VP Phil Schiller took the stage on September 12th to talk about the company’s new iPhone 5 hardware he went on at length about the exacting level of precision that goes into its manufacture. But despite Apple's insistence that its tolerances are measured in microns, several iPhone 5 owners are reporting that their new devices are arriving with a variety of scuffs and scrapes out of the box (myself included, pictured above).

The company’s record-breaking sales numbers certainly don’t make it easy to guess at how widespread the issue is, but an informal poll in the MacRumors forumsindicates that out of some 1260 respondents, more than a third are reporting some kind of damage. The source of the scuffs (pictured below) is anyone’s guess, but as All Things D points out, the iPhone 5’s case is made out of anodized (i.e., coated) aluminum, which, while being lighter than the stainless steel used in the iPhone 4 and 4S, is also softer and appears to be more susceptible to scratching. It's worth noting that HTC used a comparable oxidized finish for its One S handset — a phone whose users reported having similar cosmetic issues.

So far, Apple hasn't commented on the issue, but if you’re one of the unlucky buyers stuck with a scratched phone (and you’re not into the whole "worn in" look), it may be worth taking your device in to a local Apple Store and asking for an exchange. And if you haven't yet picked yours up, we'd suggest giving it a thorough look-over in the store before heading home with your new phone.

[Source: The Verge]

QDOS Protects iPhone 5 with New Unique Case Collections

19th September 2012 - QDOS, a designer of innovative accessories for iPhone, iPod, iPad, smartphones and tablets, today announces the first of many new chic and unique cases for the hugely anticipated iPhone 5. Nine cases make up three eye-catching collections named Pure, Metallics and Racing, ensuring there is an option for all tastes. Including designs that are bright, industrial, classic and classy, each case combines lightweight, scratchproof, polycarbonate material, with a finish that promises to stand the test of time. Perfect for protecting that precious, ‘must-have’ new gadget, they are available now from www.qdossound.com at £19.99.

Blending original design with inspiration from the successful iPhone 4 collection, the distinctive new cases are all made from hardwearing polycarbonate said to be as strong as steel but as light as cork, great for today’s gadget hungry user on the move. Designed to preserve the look and feel of the new iPhone 5, the polycarbonate has been layered to emulate the double glass finish of the device. To ensure the aesthetically pleasing designs withstand everyday impacts and retain their shape, each graphic is embedded deep within the polycarbonate, guaranteeing fade, peel and chip resistance.

These durable cases fit snugly round the iPhone 5 offering easy access to all new sockets, buttons and camera lenses and protecting the device from any dust creeping in. As always, the device remains easy to use whilst the unique bevelled outside edges provide rugged protection and reinforced grip.

The Smoothies Pure collection: This light and slim line collection boasts three classic colours. White for every occasion, Black for a masculine feel or outstanding bright Red for a fiery iPhone 5.

The Metallics collection: For a more industrial feel, the Metallics range includes three unique designs. A Mirrored Union Jack for a patriotic, pop art look, a unique brushed Titanium design for a stunning glass and steel effect and finally a Mirrored case perfect for checking reflections on the go.

The Smoothies Racing collection: These chic darker colours ooze class and the metallic paint finish emulates a premium racing car design. Choose from Khaki,Purple or Blue and really stand out from the crowd.

For more information regarding these cases, please visit their website here.