Tech News Leak: Apple iPhone 6 launching on September 2012? (Repair, unlock by Dr Mobiles Limited, Auckland)

The all new iPhone 6 is already buzzing with speculation but we know it is scheduled to release in September of 2013...and the best part - it will be in RED!!!! Will it be a complete redesign? Yes! It will have two A6 processors and be able to handle a massive amount of data.

This iphone is going to be loaded with awesome new features (in addition to coming in RED) like face recognition and password "patterns" or "gestures"..basically you can draw your password to unlock your phone. This, along with face recognition, has been available on Android devices for some time. Apple is either just getting around to adding these features, OR, they are only adding them because people are demanding it. The new iPhone 6 features are speculated, but have been well received by the public and will typically follow suit based on previous releases and their features. (List of possible features below).

The new iPhone 6 may possible bring the return of Google Maps! The current replacement on the iPhone 5 uses Tom Tom and has proven to be a massive failure since it was prematurely released. It also is not as intuitive as the Google Maps.

Apple recently filed several patent applications in order to bring 3D picture capturing to the new iPhone 6. This phone will be capable of rendering, capturing and processing 3D images, which coincides with the recent changes to the dual-camera hardware. It will have performance improvements to its newly released Panoramic photos to include 3D video.

The new iPhone 6 will continue with the current expansion of LTE - Long Term Evolution technology according to AT&T which is due to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) which is in line with the most recent technology standards for mobile networks.

A few features of the new iPhone 6:

5.5 inch screen

Built in GPS standard (back to GOOGLE MAPS!)

Face Recognition Security

Custom SMS tones

Custom E-mail alerts with ability to assign different tones to each email address (like Blackberry)

Shatter resistant glass

10 MEGAPIXEL Camera rear and 8 in front

64G Basic and 120G memory

Extended battery life = 20 hours talk time on 3G and 10 hours on 4G. Standby 1000 hours.

Full 1080p HD Recording AND 3D Video Recording / Display !!!

Messaging indicator light (not flashing, but small and red - like Blackberry).

HTML5 (safari) or apps to make Flash Player capable through apps

The new iPhone 6 will also be a World Phone. This is accomplished building 2 to 3 internal antennas which makes it capable of GSM and CDMA technology, so you can take the phone to any network in any country! Solves a ton of issues when traveling abroad, but be sure to call your cell provider to add a world package for calling and data which includes a flat monthly fee and lower per minute rates.

Pre order will be available in black, white and red! After many complaints, Apple will add a sleek red version to its line of iPhones. The iPhone 6 will debut this newly anticipated color. It is sleek and very stylish! See Photo below.

Any additional features you would like? Plese leave your comments and thoughts on our blog or you can follow us on twitter @drmobilesnz

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007
sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz  

Mt Albert Branch: (Map)
980, New North Road
Mt Albert, Auckland 1025
Tel: (09) 550-8422Mob: (027) 675-3600  

Apple iPhone 5 Battery Usage Tips and Guide (iOS 6 unlock and repair by Dr Mobiles Limited, Takapuna, North Shore, Auckland)

The iPhone 5 features a new 4-inch display, 4G LTE data speeds, and a new battery that Apple claims lasts longer than the iPhone 4S despite the larger display and the 4G LTE capabilities. And while iPhone 5 battery life reviews have been mostly positive, there are always ways to improve battery life with the iPhone and we wanted to share some tips about how to get better battery life with the iPhone 5.

The company claimed that the iPhone 5 gets better battery life than the iPhone 4S in its iPhone 5 announcement and initial tests reveal that it gets about the same, if not a little better mileage than the iPhone 4S.

Users are seeing anywhere from 8 to 12 hours of usage with the iPhone 5 and that’s downright impressive for Apple’s first attempt at an 4G LTE smartphone.

And while impressive, there are some things that users can do to help improve the battery life on the iPhone 5. They might not add an extra five hours, but they should help to add some extra minutes, something that is often crucial while on-the-go.

Here are a few tips for improving the battery life on the iPhone 5.

Turn Off Wi-Fi/4G LTE

One of the ways I used to conserve battery life on my iPhone 3GS was by turning off the Wi-FI when I was out and about. This way, the phone wasn’t trying to connect to Wi-Fi networks I wasn’t going to use. With the iPhone 5, users will not only want to turn off Wi-Fi when not using it, but 4G LTE as well.

By turning both of these off when you need them, you’ll be saving yourself some extra battery life.

Fortunately, turning both of these off is quick and easy. For Wi-Fi, head into Settings and at top, you’ll want to click your Wi-Fi network. You’ll be taken to a new menu where you can toggled Wi-Fi On or Off. Switch it to Off.

To turn off 4G LTE data speeds, head into Settings, then General. Once there, tap Cellular. There, you will see an option for Enable 4G LTE which has a toggle. Toggle it to Off.

Turn Down Screen Brightness

One simple trick that could save you quite a bit of iPhone 5 battery life is turning down the screen brightness. The screen eats up a lot of juice and by toning it down a bit, the strain on the iPhone 5′s battery will ease a bit.

This is simple as well. Go into the Settings on your iPhone 5. From there, you’ll see an option that reads Brightness & Wallpaper. Tap that option and you’ll be taken to a screen that looks like the one below.

By default, it should be around 50% but you have the option to turn it lower or even toggle off Auto-Brightness which will keep your iPhone 5 at a constant level, perfect when you’re in an environment where there is consistent lighting.

Turn Off Location Services/Notifications

While many of the services offered in iOS are extremely useful, they can also eat up battery life when turned on. We recommend shutting down twoof these in particular if you wish to conserve battery life on your iPhone 5.

1. The first, Location Services. Location Services is the feature in iOS that uses GPS and crowd-sourced Wi-Fi to constantly determine your location. This is a particularly useful feature in the Maps application but it also is used by an assortment of other third-party apps. Turning this off could help save battery life.

To do this, first go into Settings. From there, scroll down to Privacy. Tap that and then tap Location Services at the top. At the top of the next page is a toggle where you can flip Location Services to Off.

2. And second, it’s time to turn off Push Notifications which are the notifications that pop up on your home screen when something happens in one of your apps. For instance, when someone posts something on Facebook.

Go to Settings, then Notifications. You’ll then see a long list of applications to choose from. From here, you can either turn of Do Not Disturb which will disable all Notifications or you can manually turn the ones you don’t care about off when tapping on their name. Personally, I disable just about every single one.

You also might want to think about taking the Stocks and Weather widgets out of Notification Center. To do that, simply click on the appropriate one and toggle Notification Center to Off.

Switch Email to Manual

Another trick I have used in the past is to switch my Mail to manual. What I mean by that is, by default, your iPhone 5 will be fetching new data aka checking for new email automatically. This used to eat up battery on my iPhone so I turned it off, set it to manual and got great results.

To do this, go to Settings. Then, head to Mail, Contacts, Calenders. Scroll down and tap on Fetch New Data. There, you have the option of turning off Push completely if you want but I recommend scrolling down and tapping on Manually.

What this means is that you’ll now have to manually check for email. Fortunately, Apple just made this simple. In iOS 6, you no longer have to tap to refresh email. You just have to pull down and it will check for new mail. A fantastic trade-off for a little more juice.

Restart the iPhone 5

A simple trick to get better battery life is just to restart your iPhone 5 once in awhile to flush its system. If you’re like me, you’ll often leave your device on for weeks maybe even months at a time without restarting it. Just by holding down the power button and turning it off, you may be able to gain back some precious battery life.

Simply hold the power button and Slide to Power Off when it asks you to.

Reset All Settings

Something else to try in order to improve iPhone 5 battery life is resetting all of your settings. This will turn back the clock on your settings without deleting the apps and data found on the iPhone 5.

To do this, head to Settings. Then, tap on General. Next, scroll to the bottom and tap on Reset. Tap on Reset All Settings. If you’re prompted, enter your Passcode. Wait for the reset to finish then use your phone until it gets down to 0% then shuts off.

Then, plug in your iPhone 5 until it charges to 100%. This should help to solve any battery life issues you’ve been having.

Airplane Mode

Airplane Mode isn’t just useful for when you’re on a flight. It can also be used to save precious battery. By putting your iPhone 5 into Airplane Mode, it will disable all data/cellular related services. That means no data, no phone calls, no texts. This makes it perfect for battery life emergencies.

To turn on Airplane Mode, head into Settings and toggle Airplane Mode to On.

Last Ditch Effort – Restore

If none of these work, there is a last ditch effort that iPhone 5 owners can perform in order to try and resolve battery life issues. Again, this should only be attempted if nothing else has improved your battery life and you’re not getting what you want.

First, you’ll want to make a backup of your iPhone 5 so you don’t have to reinstall all of your applications or move all of your files.

The backup process begins after you plug your device into a computer. If it doesn’t happen automatically, you can force a backup to occur.

Simply go into iTunes, right click on your device, and select Back Up. I recently did this with my iPhone and while it takes a bit of time, it’s going to be necessary for what you do next.

Make sure your device is still plugged in. Then, through iTunes, click your device on the left-hand menu which should being up a screen that looks like the one below.

Click Restore. This will transform your phone into the iPhone 5 it was when it first arrived. No files, no apps, nothing.

Once that is done, you will again want to right click your device in iTunes and you’ll want to select Restore from Back Up. This should restore your iPhone 5 to the way it was before, apps and all, but with better battery life.

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007
sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz  

Mt Albert Branch: (Map)
980, New North Road
Mt Albert, Auckland 1025
Tel: (09) 550-8422
Mob: (027) 675-3600

 

Power User Tips: 30 Tips for your Apple iPad Mini (Repair by Dr Mobiles Limited, Auckland)

The iPad mini is a great tablet that's easy to pick up and use, but with these 30 tips and tricks, you'll be able to take full control over your Apple device. These range from very basic to advanced, so let's get started. 

General

1. Take a screen shot: Taking a screen shot can be useful even if you're not a blogger. To do this on the iPad mini, simply hold the power button and home button and a screen shot will be saved to your camera gallery. 

2. Use Siri: Your iPad mini can take advantage of the Siri voice-controlled personal assistant. To use it, simply hold down the home button for about two seconds and the Siri microphone will appear and you can then use it to launch other apps, find sports scores, set reminders and more. 

3. Quickly find content: If you're looking for an app, email or contact, you can do it very quickly on the iPad mini. From your initial home screen, swipe to the left and the Search iPad bar will come up. If your query doesn't match anything on your tablet, you'll be able to search the web from here.  

4. Lock your orientation: Tired of your iPad mini orientation flipping around? You can lock the orientation by tapping the home button twice, the app screen will pop up at the bottom, swipe to the left-most screen and there will be a landscape lock button on the left corner. Tap that to lock and unlock the orientation of your iPad mini.  

5. Quick access to music, brightness: You can also use that method to get quick access to things like brightness, sofware volume and you can even get access to whatever music player or app you have running. 

6. Set up Facebook, Twitter to your system: The iPad mini is powered by iOS 6 and one of the cool new features about it is built-in Facebook access. Along with built-in Twitter, you can easily share pictures, links and other things with your favorite social network. To set this up, go into your Settings, click on the Twitter or Facebook icons and then input your log-in information.

7. Share content via Twitter, Facebook: Ok, you've set up your social networking accounts, now what? To share content with Twitter and Facebook, simply tap the Share button on your photos, web pages or other content. Twitter and Facebook will pop up as options. You can also update those social networks quickly by bringing down your notification bar and hitting the Tap to Tweet or Tap to Post icons. 

8. Change your wallpaper: Want to make the iPad mini your own? Setting a custom lock screen and home screen wallpaper is a great way to do that. To change it, go into your Settings, tap on the Brightness & Wallpaper icon, tap on Wallpaper and then choose a photo. You can choose from photos on your device or from photos on your Photo Stream. 

9. Let Siri do your typing: Want to use your voice to dictate your text? Whenever you see the keyboard, simply tap the microphone button near the space bar and gab away. Be sure to double-check the results, though. 

9. Manage your notifications: The Notification Center is a great way to keep up to date with your apps but some can get annoying. To remove or mute which apps can get in your Notification Center, go into Settings, tap on the Notificatiions button and then tap on each app to determine if it can go in Notification Center, how many notifications it can send, the Alert Style it can use, if it can use a Badge App Icon, if it can make sounds and if it will be present in your Lock Screen. 

10. Tap to scroll to the top: As Marc pointed out, most apps will let you scroll to the top by simply tapping on the Notification Center once. This is especially useful if you're using something like Twitter, Facebook, 9Gag or something with a long news stream.  

Security

11. Set up a passcode: You may have some sensitive data on your iPad mini, so go ahead and put a passcode on it. To do this, go into Settings, tap Passcode Lock and then Turn Passcode On. You'll be able to toggle Siri access when locked and even have the option to erase all data on the iPad mini after 10 unsuccessful attemps. 

12. Find your iPad mini: Like with other iOS devices, a lost or stolen iPad mini can be tracked down. When you're first setting up the iPad mini, enable Find My iPad. This doesn't guarantee that you'll get it back because your device will have to be on WiFi but if you do lose your iPad mini, go to your iCloud account online and you may be able to find it.  

13. Set restrictions: The iPad mini lets you set restrictions on your apps and Siri and this could come in handy if you hand your device to kids or other people often. This will let you do things like require a password to install new apps or accessing the camera. Go into Settings, tap General and then tap Restrictions. Turn this on, input a passcode and then set which apps you want to restrict. 

14. Control location services: Using location services can be great for things like Maps and other apps but not all of us want to broadcast where we are. Luckily, you can control this on your iPad mini. Go into Settings, tap on Privacy and then hit Location Services. You can turn Location Services off entirely or just toggle which apps can access your location. Additionally, the arrow icons will give you a better idea of how apps are using your location. 

15. Do Not Disturb: One cool new feature of iOS 6 is the option to set up a Do Not Disturb function on your iPad mini. Sometimes, you just want to play Angry Birds Space without being annoyed by email notifications or messages. To turn this on, go into your Settings and tap the Do Not Disturb icon. 

16. Syncing your iPad mini: The iPad mini is pretty simple to sync with iTunes, as you simply plug in the tablet to your computer and then launch iTunes. Once you're in the iTunes interface, you can even enable WiFi Syncing with your iPad mini and you won't have to plug it in again. 

17. Reset your iPad mini: If you're selling your iPad mini already or giving it to someone for a while, make sure you delete all the data on there. You can do this by going into Settings, tapping General, and then scrolling down to Reset. From here you have these options: Reset All Settings, Erase All Content and Settings, Reset Network Settings, Reset Keyboard Dictionary, Reset Home Screen Layout, Reset Location & Privacy.

Apps

18. Bring up recent apps, kill apps: You don't have to go to the home screen every time you want to switch apps, just simply double tap the home button and the apps will pop up from the bottom. Tap on the app you want to run next.

You don't really have to stop apps from running in iOS but if you want to, bring up the app-switching tray, long press on an app and then hit the red minus sign which appears. 

19. Download and update apps: This one's pretty simple: Use the App Store. Go into the App Store icon to discover some new apps. If you have an app which needs updating, you'll see a badge on the bottom right on the Updates tab. You can update the apps individually or you can hit the Update All button at the upper left corner. 

20. Pause app downloads: Your apps will start to download on the home screen and you'll get a progress bar underneath it. Sometimes, you may want to pause one app from downloading to let another download first (a large game may be a good example of this). To pause an app download, simply tap on the app icon and it will pause. To resume the download, tap on it again. 

21. Create app folders: You can organize your apps into groups fairly easily on the iPad mini. Grab an app with your finger and drag it on another app and a folder will be created. You can rename it too. 

Protip: If you're like me, you change your home screen a lot from the default and it's tough to do it one app at a time. Figure out which apps you want on your main home screen, put them in a folder, drag that folder into the status bar at the bottom and then move that app folder onto your main home screen. 

23. Change your main app tray apps: The iPad mini lets you put six apps on the bottom tray and you don't have to stick with the default ones. To change these apps, long press on the app you want in the tray, the apps will start jiggling and you can then drag that app into the main bar. 

Camera

24. Get more camera shooting options: The iPad mini packs a respectable 5-megapixel iSight camera and the portable size means it's not that ridiculous to take shots with it. Launch your camera app and then click on Options for the ability to shoot with Grids.

25. Edit your photos: Once you've taken your photos, you can edit them on the device. Go into your Camera Roll, tap on a photo and then hit Edit. From here, you'll be able to Rotate, Enhance, Red-Eye and Crop. You can always use apps like iPhoto, BeFunky, Instagram, Camera+ and more to enhance your photos. 

26. Be a better photographer: Of course, this one's easier said than done but we got your back. Marc has been writing a series on Smartphone Photography and many of these can be used with the iPad mini camera. Go ahead and read composition tricks, an exposure intro and more.

Advanced 

27. Jailbreak your iPad mini: The iPad mini is pretty great but I know some of you just want more out of it. For example, you can't put widgets on it. If you jailbreak your iPad mini, you'll get a host of new features. Be aware that this comes with a lot of risks though. For more details on jailbreaking your device, please read this post. 

28. Update your software: Apple is never done improving its iOS software and it will be pushing out software update for the iPad mini for years to come. To check for updates, go into Settings, tap on Software Update and it will see if there's something new to download. You can download over the air or you can download to your computer and then transfer via a Lightning cable. 

29. Use four and five finger gestures: One trick about the iPad mini is that it can use four and five finger gestures. Pinch with your whole hand and you'll go back to the home screen. Swipe with four or more finger upward and the app tray will pop up. You can also swipe between apps by going left and right with four or five fingers. 

If you dont' want these available, go into Settings, tap General and then slide Multitasking Gestures to Off. 

30. Get the best mobile news on your iPad mini: This one's simple. Just keep reading Know Your Cell. Folow us on Twitter @drmobilesnz

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007
sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz  

Mt Albert Branch: (Map)
980, New North Road
Mt Albert, Auckland 1025
Tel: (09) 550-8422
Mob: (027) 675-3600 

Apple iPhone 5 Repair: Live chat support via ZopIM available now at www.drmobiles.co.nz

25-November-2012:

We are glad to inform you that with immediate effect Dr Mobiles Limited now supports live chat during office hours, 9AM-6PM, Monday through Saturday.

Mobile phone users and Apple iPhone 5 lovers can now ask us technical questions via our website or our blog and get answer rather quickly.

We are able to provide answers (Hint: sometimes even after hours) via ZopIn app running on our Apple iPhones even after office hours.

Now we can get your IMEI number tod check if your iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 for full factory unlock. Besides that we can provide you quick answer to some of the technical questions.

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007
sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz  

Apple iOS 6 tethered jailbreak updated with official Cydia, quicker installation for your A4-packing device (Auckland Repair)

The iPhone Dev-Team has just outed a new version of Redsnow that opens up iOS 6 to an official version of the sinful, definitely-not-Apple Cydia store, but you'll still have to be tethered to use it. The process is now simpler, as the latest version recognizes your already-installed iOS 6 OS and installs only the necessary jailbreak files, and Cydia is now installed automatically as well -- rather than needing a complex workaround like the last version. If you're willing to put up with the tethering and have an A4-powered iPhone 4, 3GS or gen-4 iPod touch device, the laundry list of how to do it is at the source below -- but there's always the risk of bricking, so caveat emptor, of course.

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007
sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz  

Tech News Review 2012: Apple Has Only One Place to Go: Your Wall? (Auckland, iPhone 5 repair, unlock 09-5515344)

Apple sure sells a lot of different-sized rectangles.

People can buy a 2.5-inch iPod, 4-inch iPhone, 10-inch iPad, 11-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, 27-inch iMac and plenty more variant sizes in between. Now, with the introduction of the iPad Mini, which fits snugly between the iPhone and iPad, the company is adding a 7.9-inch screen to its collection.

It seems all Apple is missing is one really important rectangle: an Apple television.

It wouldn’t be a stretch for the company to do this. It could simply take the ultra-thin iMac that it introduced on Tuesday, and well, stretch out the screen. Call it the iTV and voilà, we’re done!

The company has said that it is not working on a television, but it also said it wouldn’t make an iPad Mini, too. Given that Apple dominates so many markets for personal electronic devices, it’s quickly running out of places to dominate. The company has the fastest growing line of PCs, the most popular tablet computer and the best-selling portable music player. And don’t forget the little iPhone — the single most popular phone — which also doubles as one of the most popular point-and-shoot cameras.

I have no doubt that in the coming years Apple will start moving into entirely new types of businesses. The company has patented a slew of products for wearable computers. Its executives have also talked about building a car. Who knows?

But before it does that, the company has one more place to go: your living room wall.

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007
sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz  

Apple iPhone sales to hit 46.5 million in Q4, says analyst (iOS Unlock, repair, Dr Mobiles Limited 09-5515344)

Apple will enjoy a record-breaking quarter for iPhone sales in the run up to Christmas, an industry sage predicts, despite reports that manufacturing partners are struggling to meet the tech giant’s production targets.

In a note to investors, Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu forecasts that total iPhone sales will soar to 46.5 million in the three months leading up to the festive period. That compares to a figure of 26.9 million for the preceding quarter.

Wu’s forecast will come as a tonic to shareholders after Foxconn’s Peter Gou this week told delegates at a business expo that challenges presented by the iPhone 5’s design meant that the company’s factories are struggling to keep up with demand.

Gou’s comments came after Apple’s share price recently dipped after revealing worse-than-expected iPad 3 sales.

However, according to Wu Apple’s production capacity is much improved since the iPhone 5 landed back in September, suggesting that perhaps other manufacturing partners, such as Pegatron of Taiwan, could be picking up the slack.

Gou did not specify what particular problems are affecting production of the iPhone 5, but is thought that these relate to the handset’s alleged tendency to pick up scratches.

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007

sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz  

It is true that Three million iPad sales? A look behind Apple's latest figures. (Auckland iOS, iPhone 5 Repair, Unlock, Dr Mobiles Limited 095515344)

We sort the statistics from the damned lies.

It’s become custom for Apple to issue an identikit press release talking up sales of its new iPad or iPhone in the days after it goes on sale.

This week was no different, with a statement touting the fact that Cupertino shifted a massive three million new iPads over the weekend from November 2nd.

That’s undoubtedly impressive, especially as it solely includes Wi-Fi only models, with 4G capable devices not going on sale until later this month.

Apple has been quick to highlight the fact that that’s double the number of Wi-Fi only third-gen iPads that they sold back when that device debuted back in spring.

But of course, there’s a major caveat here: this time around Apple is talking about two devices, the iPad Mini and iPad with Retina Display, rather than just one.

So essentially, Cupertino has managed to match its early 2012 achievement, rather than better it. In the same statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook said: “Customers around the world love the new iPad Mini and fourth generation iPad.

“We set a new launch weekend record and practically sold out of iPad Minis. We're working hard to build more quickly to meet the incredible demand.”

It’d be hard to refute Cook’s claim that there’s “incredible demand”. But the phrase “practically sold out” tells a different story.

Either the iPad Mini is sold out or it isn’t. Sticking with its relentlessly positive, spin-heavy approach, Apple’s suggestion that it’s almost out of iPad Minis looks somewhat foolish.

Anyone can see through the term “practically” and there’s no doubt that Amazon and Google, both with rival budget tablets to sell, will seize on this rather wooly term.

Similarly, Apple is stretching it to call this a “launch weekend record”.

Combined sales of the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi+4G models of the third generation iPad were three million and to suddenly create a Wi-Fi-only stat from that launch in order to justify a self-serving “record” is a touch pathetic.

Apple has done fine work with the iPad Mini and iPad with Retina Display, but this desperate release is not exactly smart.

iPad sales were down in the last quarter and Apple is banking on the iPad Mini to boost its margins and do the business ahead of Christmas.

As has been seen with its iPod line, it’s unlikely Apple will ever provide a breakdown of specific iPad sales figures in its quarterly reports.

That will give succour to rivals and help them pile on the pressure through advertising. And means that, at last, the tablet space looks as if it’s about to be blown wide open.

Tech News 2012: Apple drops out of Top 5 in China, Galaxy S III tops iPhone 4S in Q3 (Mobile Phone Repair, Auckland)

The iPhone is the most common smartphone almost everywhere in the world... almost. According to analysts at Canalys, in the third quarter this year Apple dropped out of the Top 5 smartphone makers in the Chinese market.

And it's an important market - according to Canalys again, China became a bigger market than the US earlier this year.

Samsung maintains a tentative lead in China holding 14% of the market, with local maker Lenovo breathing down its neck with 13%.

To rub salt in the wound, Samsung's Galaxy S III took the title of "World's best-selling smartphone in Q3 2012," according to Strategy Analytics. There were 18 million Galaxy S III units sold and "only" 16.2 million iPhone 4S phones. Of course, iPhone 4S sales were down in Q3 because everyone was waiting for the iPhone 5 to launch.

Anyway, back to China. The third place there is surprising - it's held by Yulong, who are not known outside of China, but managed to score partnerships with the country's to major carriers - China Telecom and China Mobile.

Two better known brands round up the Top 5 - ZTE and Huawei. The last three companies have around 10% market share each. Apple is currently sixth with 8% (it had 9% in Q2).

In Q3 this year, there were around 50 million smartphones shipped in China, which is over a third of all smartphones shipped in the whole world for the three month period.

The growth in China comes primarily from cheap models ($70-$120) and the iPhone 4S can't compete with its price of $713 (the iPhone 5 is yet to launch in China, probably in December).

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007

sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz  

Latest App News 2012: Microsoft Office app coming to iPhone, iPad and Android in 2013 (Dr Mobiles Limited)

Microsoft is developing a much rumoured, much anticipated Mobile Office suite for iOS and Android, reports have confirmed.

According to “several sources close to Microsoft’s plans”, the software giant is hard at work in bringing its Word, PowePoint and Excel applications to the rival platforms, despite claims that it might decide to shun them to give its own Windows Phone operating system a competitive advantage.

Microsoft has already told The Verge that the news is in fact true, stating: “Office will work across Windows Phone, iOS and Android."

A press release from its Czech Republic arm confirmed that Office for iOS app will be available from March 2013, followed by an Android app in May. Users will require a Microsoft account for access to a read-only version of the app and a Microsoft 365 subscription for editing functionality.

SkyDrive integration for synchronising and accessing files over cloud is also expected.

What remains unknown is whether this will be a scaled back mobile edition or full-fledged software that features the sort of advanced capabilities available on the desktop applications. In any case, the news should be boon for iFans and Fandroids who like to work on the move.

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007

sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz  

Do you know that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean makes it to Motorola DROID RAZR M (Auckland, Android, Repair by Dr Mobiles Limited)

Motorola’s frameless screen sporting DROID RAZR M for Verizon Wireless has begun receiving Android 4.1 Jelly Bean over-the-air. The update has hit the baby RAZR right in line with Motorola’s promise at its launch for a timeline before the end of the year.

The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update brings a number of software improvements to the DROID RAZR M. They include Google Now, Android Beam and NFC, and improved notifications to go with the buttery smooth menu transitions. Unsurprisingly, the new OS is dressed in Motorola’s custom UI, which adds only a few extra touches to the Pure Google Experience.

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007
sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz 

Tech News Leak: iPad 5 could replace iPad 4 next year, hints analyst. (Dr Mobiles Limited, Apple, iPhone Repair, Auckland)

The iPad 4’s stay at the cutting-edge of tablet tech might be as short as five months, an industry analyst forecasts, as Apple becomes embroiled in a slate specs-war with its Android rivals.

At the iPad mini press call earlier this week, Apple surprised tech-watchers by also unveiling a fourth-generation version of its top-end tablet – a mere eight months after the current third-generation iPad hit store shelves.

However, anyone eyeing the iPad 4 when it officially goes on sale next month may want to consider that the latest model might itself be superannuated in a few months time.

That’s because, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Ci Kuo at least, the rising tide of rival tablets will put pressure on Cupertino to continue sweetening the appeal of its top-of-the-range slates, with the result that refresh cycles will get much more regular.

That suggests we could get an iPad 5 as soon as early next year - most likely in February, which has until now been marked by a new iPad every year since the first model dropped back in 2009.

In a note to investors, Kuo stated: "Though the iPad mini is expected to be successful, we think launching the lighter, thinner 9.7-inch iPad as quickly as possible matters more for Apple strategically.”

Any new device is however likely to be an iterative update of the iPad 4, which is itself a relatively minor update from the current-gen model.

The slate retains its predecessor’s appearance, and only major changes are the addition of 4G connectivity, twice the processing power via an A6X processor and the same Lightning dock connector as the iPhone 5.

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007
sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz 

Smartphone News Update 2012: Samsung Galaxy S4 to feature Exynos 5450 processor (Samsung Galaxy S3, Repair, unlock, Auckland)

This post is sponsored by:

Dr Mobiles Limited (Map)
1, Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Tel: (09) 551-5344, Mob: (021) 264-0000
info(a)drmobiles.co.nz
Facebook - Blogger - Twitter - Tumblr - Google+

New Lynn Branch (Map):
3069, Great North Road, New Lynn, 0622
Tel: (09) 5555-344, Mob: (021) 374-007
sales(a)drmobiles.co.nz 

The next iteration of Samsung’s flagship Android smartphone, the handset unofficially dubbed the Galaxy S4, will sport an Exynos 5 series chipset, rumours suggest.

Shadowy sources familiar with the South Korean phone-maker’s plans claim that the S4 will be powered by the next-generation Exynos 5450 processor with four Cortex-A15 cores at 2GHz and a staggering eight-core Mali-658 GPU.

Just to put these into perspective, the newly unveiled Google Nexus 10 tablet is powered by an Exynos 5 chip with two Cortex-A15 cores at 1.7GHz and a Mali-604 GPU (same as the new Chromebook), making the mooted specs of the S4 nothing short of jaw-dropping.

According to the tipsters, to counter the battery drain effect that such a powerful chip can have, Samsung will underclock it to 1.7GHz per core. To further conserve power it’ll use an energy-efficient 28nm manufacturing process, in addition to on-die LTE support.

Although it’s highly unlikely given that flagship Galaxy kits have reached A-list status much like the iPhone, which now has its own event, there’s chatter that the S4 might make its first appearance at the Mobile World Congress expo in February.

What’s more probable is that Samsung will announce the handset at one of its Unpacked press gatherings in March at the earliest.

Keep your hats on for more S4 news and rumours in the months ahead.