Of course RokForm accessories aren’t made for washing dishes, they’re made for holding and protecting your smartphone. But what we’ve got here in a combination of elements is a way to hold, in this case, a Samsung Galaxy S III aloft above a sink full of dirty dishes playing Netflix while we go about our business. So we’ve got Beavis and Butthead playing on loop while the cups and pans are run through the hands-on action.

With the RokForm v3 Suction Mount we’ve got one piece of the puzzle, and with the Rokbed v3 S3 Case we’ve got the other. RokForm is expanding their line of compatible components with this v3 set, working with devices like the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4S right this minute with plans for devices like the GALAXY S 4 on the list. In addition to the Suction Mount, there’s also a friendly list of components that attach with the same multi-clip attachment point you see here.

You’ll be able to attach with a Bike Mount, an Extended Tripod Adapter, Sport Clip, and magnets – amongst others coming up, too. With the Rokbed v3 S3 Case on its own, you’ve got an injection molded polycarbonate frame, “thermoplastic elastomer non-slip grip insert”, a magnet kit, a Rokguard screen protector, and a Remote Mounting System for moist mount – these are basically heavy-duty sticker-backed units that lock in to the back of the case like the Suction Mount does.

So you’ve got the case – you’ll buy that for right around $40 or $45 USD depending on the device you’re working with. Then you’ll want the Suction Mount which will run you another $49 USD. This mount, like the case, is heavy duty. Made with polycarbonate and die cast zinc construction with two angles for movement – 360 degrees of rotation as well as a 210 degree tilt. All we need is one, the one which allows the phone to sit horizontal for superior television show viewing.

This mount has sat attached to a tile above the sink for over a week straight with no end in sight. Of course that’ll happen when you’ve got a 3.4-inch suction cup holding up a device that’s much, much lighter than its full weight capacity. Sound like a winning combination to you? Let us know!

Antennagate, as the furore quickly came to be known, was centered on Apple’s decision to make the iPhone 4′s antenna an external feature of the design of the smartphone, rather than enclose it in the chassis as on early models. Depending on how users held their iPhone, it could lose signal partially or entirely.

Apple offered a free “bumper” case – which covers the edges of the phone, and thus the antenna – to buyers, but not all of them wished to wrap up their iPhone. The class action suit, then, was only for those who had been unable or unwilling to return the handset, had been affected by the signal issue, and who had not accepted the free case.

In all, Apple coughed up $53m to settle antennagate, though around 30-percent of that was swallowed up by the legal teams involved. For those expecting a payment, “the enclosed check must be cashed by July 16, 2013″ the letter warns, as “after that date, the check will be void and will not be reissued.”

Analysts believe that its the low prices of the older generation of iPhones that is driving the high sales rates. With consumers being able to purchase the iPhone 4 for $0 on a new two-year contract, and an iPhone 4S for only $99 on a new two-year contract, they’re more prone to opt for those devices than the more expensive $200+ iPhone 5. But the wide adoption of older iPhones isn’t a bad thing for Apple.

According to AllThingsD, and their interview with CIRP co-founder Michael Levin, low cost iPhone 4/4S devices have been helping Apple drive up sales. According to CIRP, 29% of iPhone buyers were previously feature phone users before upgrading, and another 29% of iPhone buyers came from another mobile OS like Android or Blackberry. A majority of those people are apparently not opting for the iPhone 5, but instead for the iPhone 4 and 4S. Michael Levin says,

“There’s plenty of demand for low- and no-cost phones, which tend to flow toward basic phone owners. On average they don’t seem to jump from a cheap or free flip phone all the way to iPhone 5.”

Jumping back to sales in Q4 2012, iPhone 4/4S sales generated exactly 50% of all iPhone sales. Perhaps these statistics show that it would be a good move for Apple to build that budget iPhone it has been rumored to be working on. According to analysts, if Apple were to create a budget iPhone, it could grab nearly 75 million sales for the phone by 2014. If you’re debating on joining the iPhone crowd, check out our reviews for the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 5 to see which one will be enough to suit your needs.

[via All Things D]

The suspects submitted an order for the 121 iPhone 4S BAND parts by using both their credentials as iPhone distributors, as well as by submitting genuine serial numbers from iPhone 4S devices. The distributors sent Apple fake iPhone BAND parts with the real serial numbers printed on them in order to better disguise them. The distributors sent the replacement parts from apple to local retailers so that they could assemble refurbished iPhones and sell them as “new” to customers.

Everything was going well, until the suspects made one very crucial error. The police discovered that on December 20th, 2012, 118 out of the 121 iPhone 4Ss, that the distributors requested replacement parts for, were activated at the same time. They also contained the “C8PJ” identifier in their serial numbers. The police dug a little further and discovered that the distributors filed for replacement parts between December 28th- December 30th, still in time to qualify for Apple’s 15-day free returns policy.

The suspects would have made a profit of about 1,000 yuan ($161) for each fake iPhone 4S that they sold. The real BAND parts that they received from Apple totaled around 400,000 yuan ($64,117). Apple still has yet to recover any of the stolen parts from the distributors. The police have yet to reveal what punishment the distributors will receive for the crime, but we shall keep you updated when they do.

[via PC World]

Some stores were extremely busy and required stanchions, while other stores saw the commotion die down later on in the day. Many T-Mobile customers were relieved that they would finally be able to use an iPhone on their carrier. And while the customers would have to pay a lot more for their iPhone compared to other carriers, that didn’t deter them because in the end, the cost of the iPhone combined with T-Mobile’s low rates would ending up saving them a lot more in the long run.

Customers were able to get the 16GB T-Mobile iPhone 5 for a $99 down payment, and $20 monthly payments for 24 months. If they wanted an iPhone 4S instead, they would have to pay a $69.99 down payment, and $20 a month for 24 months. And finally, if they just wanted an iPhone 4, they would only have to make an $18 down payment, and pay $18 a month for 24 months. While the iPhone 4 and 4S is only available in one storage size, if customers wanted an iPhone 5 with more space, they would be able to purchase a 32GB version with a $199 down payment, or a 64GB with a $299 down payment (monthly payments stay the same).

T-Mobile also announced a trade-in program, where customers can trade in their old iPhones to reduce the payments of their new iPhone 5. While we’re not sure how many people took advantage of the trade-in program, we do know that T-Mobile has seen some phenomenal results from the launch of its iPhones. T-Mobile Chief Marketing Officer Mike Sievert told AllThingsD, “Clearly they want the iPhone 5, and they are voting with their feet that they want it from T-Mobile.” Be sure to check out our review on the iPhone 5 to see if its the device you should switch to.

[via AllThingsD]

When you get an iPhone 5 from T-Mobile normally, you’ll be paying $99.99 up front and $20 per month for 24 months. That’s $480 + $99.99 = $579.99 USD. This compares to two other prices you could potentially pay for the iPhone 5, both of them available both here and in our iPhone 5 T-Mobile pricing breakdown.

1. On-contract from non-T-Mobile carriers: $199 with subsidy costs built-in to your data/voice/text plan (you can’t see it, but it’s there).
2. Off-contract straight from Apple: $649 (we’ll stick to the 16GB version since T-Mobile is advertising that model as their hero with $99.99 down and so forth)
3. T-Mobile payment plan: $579.99 ($99.99 down with $20 per month for 24 months)

According to T-Mobile you’ll get the first $99.99 knocked off of your bill, bringing you back to the payments of $20 USD per month for 24 months, this ending up at $480 USD. T-Mobile also notes that your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S might be worth more than that base $99.99 trade-in value:

“Depending on the trade-in value of their device, customers will also receive a credit of up to $120, which can be used toward monthly payments, an existing T-Mobile bill, or the purchase of accessories or another device.” – T-Mobile

We’ve reached out to T-Mobile to get clarification on what this added value might be: more than likely it’ll depend on how mint your device is and/or if you’ve got a device with more internal storage than the basic 16GB model. UPDATE: Below you’ll now find details on which device will get you the most from T-Mobile and what your minimum requirements will be as well.

Customer trades-in an iPhone 5
• $0 Down on new iPhone 5
• Monthly EIP payments are $13/mo for 24 months
• –OR- Customer receives up to $164 bill credit, which can be applied toward monthly payments, a T-Mobile bill or the purchase of accessories or another device

Customer trades-in an iPhone 4S
• $0 Down on new iPhone 5
• Monthly EIP payments are $15/mo for 24 months
• –OR- Customer receives up to $120 bill credit, which can be applied toward monthly payments, a T-Mobile bill or the purchase of accessories or another device

Customer trades-in an iPhone 4
• $0 Down on new iPhone 5
• Monthly EIP payments are $19/mo for 24 months
• –OR- Customer receives up to $24 bill credit, which can be applied toward monthly payments, a T-Mobile bill or the purchase of accessories or another device

“The used device must meet minimal criteria including being in good condition, having an intact and working display and being free of liquid damage or corrosion and also goes through security checks to ensure it is not a device that has been reported lost or stolen.” – T-Mobile Representative

NOTE: If you need convincing that the iPhone 5 is a device you need to own, have a peek at our full iPhone 5 review, now!

So is this trade-in worth it? You simply must see how much your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S is worth on the open market to decide. If you sell your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S on ebay, for instance, you might get more than $500 USD for it – but you’ll also have to make absolutely sure you know how to wipe out your device before you sell it, unlock it so the person you’re selling it to can use it, and have a basic knowledge of how to sell and ship items with ebay in the first place.

If these sorts of must-haves scare the living daylights out of you, you have three options, each of them better than the last:

1. Just keep your iPhone and buy a new iPhone 5 from T-Mobile so you’ve got 2 iPhones, the older one just as awesome as an iPod.
2. Trade your iPhone in with T-Mobile and get that new iPhone 5 – they’ll take care of the details.
3. Ask your nephew or niece how to make ebay sell your stuff – and don’t forget to give them a few bucks for the effort!

Stay tuned as we get the final details from T-Mobile on what they’ll be looking for in regards to the above-and-beyond $99.99 value of your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S. Seeya then!

First off, this new Smarter Stand has a very unique design. It makes for a pretty good headphone wrapper by itself, but it also acts as a stand for your iPhone, allowing you to keep your headphones wrapped up while you have it propping up your smartphone. However, you’ll have to have your headphones plugged into your iPhone in order to use the Smarter Stand as a stand, since it uses the headphone jack as a fulcrum of sorts. The Smarter Stand has a convenient location to slide the headphone plug into, although it seems to only work best with the stock Apple earbuds (or EarPods, as they’re now calling them). The stand isn’t too friendly with other headphone plug designs, as you can see with my own pair of headphones in the gallery toward the bottom, but it at least still works, albeit not as great as using regular Apple earbuds.

However, what I really like about the Smarter Stand is how it allows for room to feed the headphone earpieces through the middle after you wrapped them up. It’s a small design facet, but it’s incredibly genius and really handy. The two forks at either end also make it really easy to wind up your headphones, although you have to be careful not to wind your headphones up too tightly or too loosely — too tightly can result in destroyed headphone cords, while wrapping too loosely can lead to unwanted unraveling.

As a stand itself, the Smarter Stand works pretty well. Again, you have to have your headphones plugged into your iPhone in for the stand to do its thing, but you can still have your headphones wrapped up if you want, and if you want to utilize your external speakers, you can simply unplug your headphones past that first notch to keep them plugged in, but not activated. Sadly, you can’t adjust the angle of the stand, but it sits at a nice 45-degrees (roughly), which we found to be optimal anyway.

In the end, if you need a simple and cheap stand that also doubles as a headphone wrapper, this is probably what you want. You can get one for as low $9 (plus $3 shipping to US), and it’s made out of flexible, but stiff thermoplastic polyurethane, so while it looks like a cheap accessory, it’ll hold up quite well. However, it only works well if you’re using Apple’s own headphones. You can use other brands, but the stand doesn’t quite work as nicely. It’ll at least work either way, but that’s definitely something to be aware of if you’re planning on backing the project.

The Smarter Stand is available for the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 4/4S, as well as all generations of the iPod Touch. As for Android version, the company says that each Android device would require its own exclusive design (which can get expensive), but they’re open to making Smarter Stands for certain Android models if the demand is up.

Essentially in Real Racing 3, you buy cars and compete in events until you beat the game. There’s also “Driver Level,” in which you are awarded a certain amount of experience points after every race that go towards being an expert driver. I don’t really pay a lot of attention to that, since my only goal is raise as much money as I can so I can buy a new car and race in more events. You rely on “R$” currency and coins to get you through the game. The coins are there so that you can basically buy your way out of having to wait on various things, which I’ll describe here soon.

You might have heard about “Time-Shifted Multiplayer” before. It’s a new feature in Real Racing 3 where you play against real people in every event. Granted, you’re not all playing each other at the same time (hence the “Time-Shifted” name), but the other racers are essentially AI-controlled players that have completed in the event in the past. It’s similar to racing a ghost, but the ghost is AI-controlled and will respond to your movements in the race. It’s a pretty neat feature, and it’s more enjoyable this way knowing that you’re not just racing against the computer.

There are numerous types of races to choose from, including cup races, top-speed challenges, drag races, sprints, and eliminations. There also tons of new tracks and cars, including real tracks like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Mount Panorama, as well as fake tracks that exist in real locations, such as Melbourne. As for controls, it’s nothing that we haven’t experienced before with Real Racing 2 — tilting your mobile device steers the car, and tapping on the screen is the brake. You can also change camera angles, which includes a cockpit view if you really want a realistic experience.

As for graphics, they’re not bad, but also not great. There’s absolutely zero anti-aliasing, which makes the game a pixelated nightmare, and scenery could be a bit better, especially in Mount Panorama, where you can get a good look out at the horizon. The mountains in the background look pretty horrible, and it makes you feel you traveled back in time to the late 90s. However, I can’t be too harsh on the graphics. For a mobile game on a smartphone, the game looks pretty incredible.

As for the freemium model in Real Racing 3, this is where things can get a bit controversial. Since the game is free, Firemonkey and EA rely on the in-app purchases of coins to make revenue. Whenever your car needs servicing or you upgrade parts, you have to wait a few minutes for them to complete, sometimes up to 10 minutes. Of course, you can speed the process up by spending a couple of coins, but once you’re all out, you have to buy more if you don’t want to wait for things to finish. Essentially, Firemonkey and EA are counting on your impatience in order to make money with this game, and my guess is that they’ll make a fortune.

You can buy more coins starting at $1.99 for 10 of them, and you can also buy more in-game currency for buying cars and upgrades starting at $1.99 for R$50,000. And considering that Real Racing 2 only cost $4.99, you can end up spending way more in Real Racing 3. However, if patience is your virtue, then you probably won’t have a problem with the game, but if you’re the type of person who wants upgrades now and wants your oil change and tire rotation right this second, prepare to spend a ton of money on the game.

In Q3, the Galaxy S III came in top, with 18m shipments; the iPhone 5, which had only been on sale for part of the quarter, contributed just 6m shipments. However, while iPhone 5 demand has surged – up to 27.4m units shipped in Q4 2012 alone, the research firm says – iPhone 4S shipments also increased, up over a million units, to 17.4m.

“Global demand for the Galaxy S III appears to have peaked” Strategy Analytics concludes, pointing out that the specter of the Galaxy S4 sequel is already upon us. That device is believed to be waiting in the wings for a March 14 reveal, though the specifications of the phone are hotly contested.

Meanwhile, rumors continue to persist around a low-cost iPhone, though Apple executives have been quick to try to squash the speculation.

Nonetheless, it’s certainly Apple and Samsung’s world when it comes to smartphones at the moment, with the two firms together holding more than half of the overall market. That presents a significant issue for rivals like HTC, who will find it increasingly different to raise their own products, such as the recently announced HTC One, above the noise.

3 Austria users with the iPhone 4S also encountered similar problems, and the carrier said that it and Apple were working on a fix for imminent release. That update came sooner rather than later, in fact, with Apple pushing it out OTA to iPhones yesterday.

“Apple has released a new version of its iPhone software that fixes the 3G performance issues that have been affecting users of the iPhone 4S who had installed iOS 6.1″ Vodafone said today. There are no other known features to the new version.

Where Apple is with addressing some of the companion concerns of enterprise system managers, who have complained that iOS 6.1 devices have been creating vast database logs, is unclear. That problem, believed to be connected with how Exchange calendar invitations are handled, has seen some devices spawning 50GB+ log files and forcing admins to block them from the system.

According to the carrier, “Apple is working on a solution” and “these connection problems are intermittent.” 3 Austria, meanwhile, took to Facebook to confirm the fault, and which it suggested had only been reported by subscribers within roughly the past few week, despite iOS 6.1 being released on January 28.

It’s not the only issue some iOS 6.1 users are experiencing. According to reports on Microsoft’s Technet, network administrators responsible for corporate Exchange installs have identified sudden spikes in server logging. At least one admin claimed to have seen more than 50GB of logs triggered by a single iPad running 6.1.

Further examination suggested that it was due to a bug in how calendar invites were handled, and while one workaround is to export the calendar for the affected user, delete it from the device, and then recreate/import it, others have claimed that the problem reoccured afterwards.

Apple is supposedly working on a fix, for the carrier issues at least, though it’s unclear when it may be implemented.

[via GigaOm; via ZDNet]

What this map shows is an iPhone 5S coming in Q3, followed within weeks by a new design and release for the iPhone 5, complete with a set of case modifications we’ve been hearing rumors and suggestions about over the past week – how odd! These predictions include a device which has largely the same specifications as the iPhone 5 as it exists on the market today, but with a 1600 mAh battery instead of 1420, 8.2mm of thickness instead of 7.6, and a weight of 130g instead of 112.

Perhaps most interesting of all is the suggestion that the refreshed iPhone 5 will be coming with multiple different colors, not unlike the most recent push with the iPod touch. This release will also have plastic casing rather than aluminum, this keeping the cost of the device down considerably – and remind yourself here that these are all predictions from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, not assurances.

The price for this newly refreshed iPhone 5 will be between $350 and $450 unlocked (compared to the current $600-700 on the market today) and it’ll be completely free when purchased with a 2-year contract. This contradicts the pattern Apple worked with when the iPhone 4S was revealed, the “free” model being at that time the iPhone 3GS, aka the least powerful of the three models on the market. With this release there’d only be two.

This roadmap also predicts that there’ll be an iPad 5 released between the iPhone 5S and the modified iPhone 5, with a newly designed Retina MacBook Pro released at the same time. Also released with the iPhone 5S will be a modified iPod touch 5th gen and an iPod nano refresh. Predicted for Q1 is an Apple TV refresh of some kind, near the end of Q2 a new MacBook Air, and last in Q3 an iPad mini 2nd gen.

Lastly Kuo suggests that at the start of the fourth quarter of 2013 we’ll be seeing a new iMac and a new Mac mini – exciting times! Have a peek at our Apple hub for more Apple action through the year, and get ready for the multi-colored plastic of the iPhone 5 refresh – if that’s what you believe will be coming, of course.

[via MacRumors]

The iPhone price drop most likely is a response to Best Buy’s recent promo deal on the iPhone 5, where the retailer dropped the price of the new device down to $149 after signing a two-year contract. While Best Buy left the iPhone 4S alone, RadioShack decided to offer a little more variety in their own deal and slashed the iPhone 4S price tag in half as well.

On top of the iPhone promo, RadioShack is also giving back $10 for every $50 that you spend on RadioShack merchandise, as well as free ground shipping for orders over $50. All cash back will be emailed to customers in the form of a coupon that can be used on a future purchase at RadioShack.

The cash back promo ends December 17, and while we weren’t given an end date to the iPhone promo, we’re guessing it won’t last long either, so if you’ve been beating around the bush and are thinking about getting a new iPhone, this is probably the lowest cost you’ll see in a while, so we’d suggest taking the deal now if it’s your time to buy.

One of this watch’s biggest features is its low energy consumption, something especially necessary given the limited battery space possessed by a watch. It achieves this conservative energy usage via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). The G-Shock uses an ordinary watch battery, which lasts approximately 2 years with an average daily Bluetooth usage of 12 hours per day.

The G-Shock features countdown timer, 1/100th second stopwatch, an LED super illuminator, five daily alarms, a mute feature, world time zones, and is shock/water resistant up to 200 meters. The smart watch is compatible with the iPhone 4S running iOS 5.1.1 and 6.0 and iPhone 5. The G-Shock+ app is available for download from the App Store, and is required to use an iPhone with the watch.

Casio’s CEO and Chairman of its Timepiece Division Shigenori Itoh offered this statement. “G-Shock continues to be a leader in cutting-edge technology for timepieces. With the release of the Bluetooth LE Smart Watch collection, we are pushing the boundaries of inspired timepieces for the business savvy, technology conscious consumer.”

The folks at Squrl have a search engine for instantly playable videos from YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Ted (aka Ted Talks), AOL, Vimeo, Blip.TV, and more. This list is expanding in Squrl, and the app works just as well on the iPhone 5 as it does on the iPad – and the iPhone 4S/4, the iPod touch, and the rest, too, of course. You can make your own profile and share your favorite videos if you want, or you can remain entirely anonymous.

You can add your own feed collections or you can use the app purely for search. Add the Android feed and you’ll find our favorite sister-site Android Community featured prominently – but you want to stick to Apple, right? There’s an Apple feed as well. You can connect to your Facebook to show an interest graph for yourself over time, this generating suggestions from the app itself as it gets to know you better. It’s one of those things that seems a bit creepy to some people and quite magical to others – I tend to lean towards the latter.

You’ll want to check out the competition in Flixter and Dijit, Showyou and every other app just like this one if you want o judge the best user interface experience for yourself, but the end result right this minute will be thus: Squrl is fresh, it works, it feels nice to use, and it’s free. This app is up on the iTunes App Store right this minute and you can hit up Squrl.com to see if they plan on releasing any Android-based solutions in the near future – or Windows Phone, for that matter too.

Be sure to head down to our iOS App Reviews portal for more of the best for your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch from all angles. Games, utilities, oddities, and everything in-between – have at em!

Altogether, the analysts claim, the three devices made up 24-percent of the global smartphone market, an impressive combined win for Samsung and Apple. The two companies are unlikely to be celebrating together any time soon, however, given their ongoing courtroom spats and Apple’s continued attempts to reduce its reliance on components sourced from Samsung’s production branches.

Ironically, that competition – and the publicity around it – is believed to have helped, not hindered, Samsung’s performance in stores. The Galaxy S III saw a jolt in sales after Apple claimed it was a copy of the iPhone.

The interest in the iPhone 5, meanwhile, leaves Strategy Analytics expecting Apple to reclaim the global smartphone top-spot in Q4. “The Apple iPhone 5 has gotten off to a solid start already” executive director Neil Mawston said of the numbers, predicting that “Apple should soon reclaim the title of the world’s most popular smartphone model.”

It’s not the first time the Galaxy S III has had a temporary triumph over the iPhone in sales. Back in September, it was named the top selling smartphone in the US, again beating out iPhone 4S demand across the various US carriers. How that translates into actual use is another metric, however; in actual web use, iPhone owners are believed to be more active than their Samsung counterparts.

For Q3, customers holding back on upgrading because the iPhone 5 was believed just around the corner is again blamed for the iPhone 4S losing its record. “Consumers temporarily held off purchases in anticipation of a widely expected iPhone 5 upgrade at the end of the quarter” senior analyst Neil Shah concludes.

There’s a new USB power adapter in the Apple Store that works with the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPod touch 5th gen and iPod nano 7th gen as well as all the iPads. This charger is 12w instead of the until-now 10w, this allowing you to charge faster then ever before – or so we’re to understand. We’ll have to see once we’ve got our hands on a unit in the very near future.

Note that this marks a rather silent retirement of the iPad 3, as marked above. You’ll find the iPad 2 continuing to sit in stock in Apple Stores around the world while the iPad 4th generation device replaces it. This will have Apple’s stock quite obviously showing the iPad 2 as the lesser device across the board, even compared to the iPad mini – with prices that may make the iPad mini and the iPad 4th gen irresistible.

Have a peek at the rest of our Apple event coverage in our giant Apple iPad mini event round-up and stick around the Apple store portal for more information as it arrives. This update to the Apple store and the Apple ecosystem has a whole miniature vibe to it, wouldn’t you say? We’ll see how it all adds up with more in-person hands-on action soon!

There are two separate patents at the center of this debate, both owned by Samsung in Japan. One deals with technology for downloading apps that bring increased functionality to the phone, while the other is for Airplane mode. Samsung said that the iPhone 4 and 4S were infringing on both of these patents, and naturally, Apple disagreed with that assertion. It seems that The Tokyo District Court is siding with Apple, as it said in a ruling that Apple isn’t infringing on Samsung’s first patent because the “app technology” on the iPhone is different than the tech on Samsung’s phones.

That ruling was handed down on September 14, whereas on October 11 the court decided that there wasn’t any infringement as it relates to Airplane mode on the basis that Airplane mode isn’t a new technology. So, that’s two Samsung patent claims that were denied by the Tokyo District Court. Elsewhere in the world, Samsung has been winning its claims, while in other places, the Korean company is coming up a bit short.

Still, the war between these two continues on, with no real end in sight. At this point, we’re thinking that both of these companies will continue fighting for as long as they have the money to hire lawyers, and indeed, these patent suits have apparently had a negative effect on Apple and Samsung’s manufacturing relationship. More details on these courtrooms brawls will undoubtedly be coming soon, so keep it tuned right here to SlashGear.

Personally, I don’t use a case on my phone since I’m not a huge fan of them to begin with. However, the Mummy case got my attention pretty quickly, and it’s one of the few cases that I was excited to actually try out. Obviously, right away you’ll notice the back of the case makes it look like the phone is wrapped with mummy wrappings (hence the name). The Apple logo and the “iPhone” are still visible, which is some clever design work to say the least. The mummy wrappings also serve another purpose besides just looking cool. You can stick credit cards, IDs, or cash in between the case and the phone, which also makes it a great makeshift wallet.

As with any silicone case, it can be a little difficult to slide your phone in and out of your pocket due to the rubbery texture, but the Mummy actually felt less rubbery, and it slid into my pocket a lot easier than most cases would. However, just like with any case, the Mummy does add a little bit of thickness to the iPhone, which gets rid of one of the features that makes the iPhone appealing in the first place. It can take time to get used to the size difference, but if you love the thinness of the iPhone, you’re probably not even using a case anyway.

The button “extenders,” so to speak, for the volume and power buttons work surprisingly well; they don’t take any more effort to push than normal, which can’t be said with most other iPhone silicone cases sadly. The opening for the ring/silent switch just above the volume buttons is a bit off, but that’s only because the case is catered towards both the iPhone 4 and 4S, which have slightly different placements when it comes to that small switch — not a huge deal there.

I did find it a bit of a nuisance trying to fit a credit card into the back of the case. Loop didn’t make it easy, since you kind of have to jimmy it in pretty good. There were even times where I was afraid I was going to scratch up the back of my iPhone with my credit card. Cash is even worse, since it’s more flimsy than a card. The trick is just to lift up the flaps and slide it in as best you can.

Overall, if you’re looking to get a minimalist and stylish silicone case for your iPhone, I’d probably tell you to get this one, despite the couple of very minor flaws. The case is well built, looks great, and has a one-of-a-kind unique Halloween theme that also works year-round.

Loop Attachment makes the Mummy case for the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and the new iPhone 5 (pre-order only). The iPhone 5 version will be available early next month for a special introductory price of $20. The iPhone 4/4S version costs $25, or you can get a bundle of three Mummy cases for $60.

The Mummy iPhone case is only compatible with Apple‘s newly-discounted iPhone 4/4S line currently, but the company has said they’re planning on stocking up on iPhone 5 cases sometime this month and early November, so stay tuned for those if you happened to upgrade to the latest iPhone.

When you put the case on your iPhone, it essentially looks like mummy wrappings are covering the back of your device (hence the name of the case in the first place). However, it’s not just all about looks. All that fancy silicone on the back is also meant to hold credit cards, money, ID, etc., so it actually doubles as a makeshift wallet, while at the same time providing your iPhone with a little protection. The Mummy is available in 10 different colors and is priced at $25 each, or three for $60.

Loop Attachment’s flagship product isn’t actually for the iPhone, though. It’s simply called the Loop, and it’s a wristband for your 5th- or 6th-generation iPod Nano that turns the device into a glorified watch. We’ve seen these types of products before, but the Loop is a unique one-piece band that snuggly fits an iPad Nano on top, and can be easily removed if need be. It comes in seven color varieties and will cost you $20 each or $50 for a bundle of three.

This device requires that you plug into the wall to work and works with remote control that’ll take 1 x CR2025 battery that’s included in the package. You’ll be connecting your device via the standard 30-pin iPod dock in the center of the device, though other connections are allowed via a standard Line In and Aux In – that’s a stereo RCA connector, incase you’re wondering about context. You’ve also got, interestingly enough, a Video Out port too – we’ll see how we can use that upon closer inspection.

This device is compatible with a variety of Apple products right out of the box including iPhone / iPod / iPad compatibility: iPhone 4 / 4S / 3GS / 3G, iPod Touch / Nano / Classic (5th Generation), iPad 1 / 2, and The New iPad. The remote control included in the package works with most iOS devices, but will not be compatible with your iPad 2 or iPad 3. NOTE: This device does not work with the iPhone 5 – yet. You can control the volume of the set with the collection of physical buttons that sit atop the machine or you can control the sound from your audio-wielding device.

This beast looks and feels extremely basic – it’s a big hunk of black, essentially, but inside we’re pumped to hear the blasts of beats that are sung about in legends of this speaker. We’ll be getting our hands on this device sooner than later for a full review for you and yours – can’t wait! Meanwhile keep your ear to the review circuit here on SlashGear for all things great and loud!

This set of cases has a headphone clip, camera lens ring, USB drive (removable), kickstand for both portrait and landscape (using the USB drive stick as the stand), and multi-tool. The multi-tool has a standard blade, serrated blade, flat-head screwdriver, bottle opener, and a choice of colors – black or silver! Of course you’re going to want to pop the tool off the case when you’re heading to the airport – not allowed!

The case fits on your phone like a charm and adds less than 3mm to its surface. The bulk of the case is made of aerospace grade composite materials as well, so you’ll have some basic protection for the back and sides of your device. The USB stick comes in two iterations – 8DB or 16GB, and again, fits into the case in several different ways allowing you some on-the-go stand-up action for your phone.

The headphone clip allows you to keep your phones tight to the device when you’ve wrapped them around the phone, and the integrated lens ring works with a variety of lenses, each of them included in the package. There’s a macro lens, a fish-eye lens, and a wide-angle lens too.

For those of you still wanting to contribute to the Indiegogo campaign, there’s good news – if you’ve got an iPhone 4/4S now and plan to update to the iPhone 5, no worries! You get both an iPhone 4/4S case and an iPhone 5 case in the package together – and the multi-tool and USB stick fit in both! Check it out!

While we’re pretty sure many of you are patiently waiting for that shiny new iPhone 5 to arrive, for those that didn’t upgrade you can surely get close with iOS 6. Apple’s new Siri improvements, Their own home-brewed 3D Maps with flyover, passbook and more. I’m sure you all know plenty about iOS 6 already and just would like to know how to get it.

The folks from Cupertino have been working hard and are pushing the update out as we speak. We’ve been hearing from multiple sources that the rollout has just begun and is rolling out in stages. Users of iOS 5 devices should be able to update over-the-air right on their devices, and as usual all can use iTunes to do the same. As a precaution it’s always good to backup your iPhone or iPad first just to be safe.

We mentioned this morning the update would start rolling out around 1:00 PM EST and that is in just a few minutes. Most likely the masses will start seeing the update arrive shortly. The update is likely being staggered so if you don’t see it right away don’t be too upset, try again in a few minutes and you’ll be enjoying that iOS 6 greatness soon enough. You might also want to make sure you’re running the latest iTunes 10.7

For more details on iOS 6 you’ll want to check out our Apple Hub, or take a peek at our in depth iPhone 5 and iOS 6 review.

The iPhone 5 will be appearing in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore first, with a major list of additional countries coming soon. This device will be appearing in 100 countries and on 240 carriers eventually, with additional countries from the first standard list coming on the 28th. You’ll be able to pre-order from Apple.com starting this Friday.

Check out the rest of our iPhone 5 news today in the timeline below and through our big Apple portal – and let us know if you plan on purchasing this next-generation device now, later, or maybe even not at all! If you’ve got a past-generation device you’ll also be getting a FREE upgrade to iOS 6, the company’s next-generation software one way or another – wirelessly, too!

Essentially what we have is a near identical camera as what we saw with last years iPhone 4S. The difference here is of course quality will be slightly improved, but they’ve also made it thinner, much thinner. The iPhone 5 is being touted as the world’s thinnest smartphone and this plays a big role. How big exactly? 25% thinner while still managing to improve the specs and features.

As you can see from the image above, the 8 megapixel camera has a 3,264 x 2,448 backside-illuminated sensor, f/2.4 aperture and more. This is the same as the previous generation only thinner. This helps the device reach that ultra thin level it couldn’t achieve before. The new camera being smaller helps them pack everything in here. I’m excited about that new and improved dynamic low light mode! More details coming up shortly and once again, follow along at live.slashgear.com

The iPhone 5 is pretty light too, weighing in at only 112 grams – that’s 20% lighter than the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 5 is the same width as the iPhone 4S is, but it’s a good amount taller. That change was made to accommodate the new screen, which measures in at 4-inches. That’s a pretty significant upgrade, considering that iPhone screens of the past have come in at 3.5-inches.

Of course, the iPhone 5 also features Retina Display, which will undoubtedly be a big selling point for the brand new device. All in all, Apple promises a new iPhone that feels great in your hand, and with those specifications, we don’t doubt that it will. Be sure to hit up our liveblog of Apple’s event for second-by-second updates, and check out our Apple portal for more in-depth coverage of the event!

White has made it clear that with the following set of factoids in place, the new iPhone will be more than just a giant launch, it’ll be a monumental launch. With this beast of an electronics event on Wednesday, Apple, he notes, might announce not just a blockbuster iPhone, but a set of other devices as well. Last year when the iPhone 4S was announced, he notes, it was a big event – here it’ll be one whole heck of a lot bigger. White’s notes go as follows:

• The iPhone 4S sold 1 million pre-orders in the first 24 hours – with the iPhone 5, White expects Apple to run through 1.3 to 1.5 million pre-orders in that same 24 hour period.

• With the iPhone 4S, 4 million units sold in the first three days of it being on sale. With the iPhone 5, White expects this number to move up between 5 and 5.5 million units.

• In the September quarter, White expects Apple to sell between 10 and 12 million iPhone 5 devices.

White also mentions several features that we’ve more or less seen come through in tips or in “leaked” photos here and there. First and perhaps most important is the price: White expects the price to stay the same as the current iPhone 4S. White also expects a great showcase for iOS 6, a faster processor under the hood of the iPhone 5, and a “modern unibody casing” of one kind or another. This new device, says White, will have a 4-inch display and will be about 15% thinner than the iPhone 4S, and it’ll be appearing with 4G LTE data speed.

There’s also a possibility, again, of there being more than one device revealed at the event this Wednesday. White mentions that new iPods and iMacs might be on display and that the rumored iPad mini, if it does indeed see the light of day, will much more likely be appearing later this year. It’s also noted by White that a China Mobile distribution deal as well as a possible Apple television may be in the works – eventually.

Check our iPhone 5 tag portal now to see the history of all things leaked and tipped, and check the Apple portal for more news from the whole universe than you can handle! Take a peek also at our timeline of iPhone 5 news bits below to get some of the more important bumps from the past couple of weeks. We’ll be liveblogging the whole iPhone 5 event, too, don’t miss it!

The configurations of the new iPhone 5 will likely be the same as the iPhone 4S in sizes of 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, while the prices will be as follows. Each of the code-names attaches to a color as well as an internal storage size: N42A-USA -$199, N42B-USA-$199, N42A-USA-$299, N42B-USA-$299, N42A-USA-$399, N42B-USA-$399. At the moment it appears that there will be two color combinations for the iPhone, that being black tones and white tones.

The pricing will more than likely bump the iPhone 4S back to the prices that the iPhone 3GS is currently at, while the 3GS will likely be axed from Apple’s stores altogether. Pre-orders for the iPhone 5 are being tipped to be taking place immediately after the announcement event (or at it) on September 12th, and shipping will start in the USA. The iPhone 5 will not ship to all countries immediately, so this same source says, but will be appearing in the USA first without a doubt.

Several accessories have also been tipped to be shipping at the same time as the iPhone 5, those being first and foremost an adapter for the smartphone to be able to work with previous-generation docking devices. Cases and and cables are also set to be popping up at the same time working with the iPhone 5 specifically. Have a peek at our iPhone 5 timeline below to see some key tips and leaks from the past few weeks, and stick to our Live Portal for the big event on September 12th!

That and ease of operation were cited most often, but J.D. Power says that the iPhone in fact scored strongly in all of the categories. That includes performance (weighted at 33-percent); physical design (23-percent); features (22-percent); and ease of operation (22-percent).

While HTC‘s recent sales have been underwhelming, actually satisfaction around the company’s phones puts the company in second place, with 790 points. Samsung comes in at third place, with 782 points, while Motorola and Nokia take fourth and fifth, with 777 and 763 respectively.

The study is all the more interesting, given Apple is believed to be preparing to reveal the new “iPhone 5” in just a week’s time. That event – which SlashGear will be liveblogging on September 12 from 10AM PT – is expected to see a new design of phone launched, with a larger touchscreen and the inclusion of 4G LTE connectivity.

Instead, Samsung’s Galaxy S III managed to grab pole position, Walkley claims. Stats for the Android flagship remain strong, too, the analyst says, while conversely Nokia, HTC and BlackBerry demand continues to waver.

That impressive GSIII demand has already caught the attention of Apple’s lawyers, of course. The Cupertino company has added the phone – along with the Galaxy Note, and other devices - to the list of models it hopes to have barred from sale in the US as part of the ongoing patent litigation between the firms.

Of course, the marketplace will shift again once the new iPhone arrives. Apple is expected to reveal the new model at an event on September 12, with sales tipped to begin roughly a week after that. Demand for the iPhone 5 will undoubtedly be high, and indeed the Canaccord Genuity analyst suggests that slowing sales of the iPhone 4S are likely prompted by customers holding off on picking up a new smartphone until the new model hits shelves.

This program has the ability to take in not only your iPhone 4S, but a collection of other Apple devices as well as non-Apple gadgets too. The front page for this program shows an iMac, iPad, iPhone, two iPods, and a lovely old button-toting phone from the distant past. It also has the white MacBook, no longer sold by Apple brand new.

This is all part of Apple’s “Apple and the Environment” initiative of course as well, making it clear to users around the world that they are indeed Green. You’ll be assured in this Recycling initiative that your units will be either reused or recycled in environmentally friendly ways, and you’ll get more than just a warm feeling in your heart – you’ll get Apple money.

Apple won’t be tossing any cold hard cash in this program, but they will be giving you credit in their store. Gift Certificates are one of the reasons you’d send in your old gear, a no-cost-to-you offer to get rid of all your gadgets that otherwise would push us closer to a garbage-filled planet is another. If you send in your old iPod or mobile phone that’s not included in the main Gift Certificate part of the program, you’ll either just be able to send it in for recycling for free, (a great deal by itself), or you’ll be able to bring it in to an Apple Retail Store and get 10 percent off a new one.

NOTE: This 10 percent offer does not apply to the iPod shuffle – Apple says so!

And of course what’s rather important about this situation is that the iPhone 4S is included in it. There’s no other reason for Apple to want to include their newest hero phone in a program like this where you’ll get gift cards back for the unit except for the idea that an even newer model is right around the corner – except of course if you’ve got a damaged iPhone 4S and want a new one: they take damaged units, too.

The new iPhone also appears to have an ever-so-slightly taller body (considering the panel) and essentially the same thickness as the iPhone 4S. The photos you’re seeing here come from SinoCet where they’ve got no qualm with letting their lot be seen. They note that the iPhone 5 front panel includes “lcd, touch screen digitizer, front panel frame, and home button.” This same group has released a video of them messing around with the panel with some lovely piano music to show you how serious they are about making a good presentation.

It would appear that there are a few different possibilities here in this wave of leaked parts for the supposed new iPhone. One possibility is that there’s someone – or a set of people – conspiring to sell pieces of the new smartphone straight from the factory in China. Another possibility is that this set of leaks was carefully constructed by Apple themselves to lead everyone in the tech new industry off the scent of the real deal iPhone 5. One more possibility is that these parts were sent out to 3rd party case makers who, rather foolishly, decided to take photos and video of them many, many times over.

Have a peek at the timeline below to see more important moments in this supposed river of pre-release photos and videos of the new iPhone. Note also that we’ll be waiting with our fingernails in our kneecaps for an announcement of the new device next month, and will be reporting to you anything that happens via Apple as it goes down – don’t miss it!

[via NWE]

That pretty much confirms that T-Mobile isn’t going to be getting the next iteration of Apple‘s famous device, but that probably isn’t going to shock anyone. T-Mobile lacks the LTE network needed for the next iPhone, so instead of offering that, it will be offering consumers new Monthly4G Micro SIM kits that are compatible with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. TmoNews takes this to mean that T-Mobile will be making some announcements about its network refarm soon.

So, T-Mobile won’t be offering the iPhone 5, but one of the ways it’s trying to compensate for that is by inviting consumers to bring in their unlocked iPhones and pick up a Micro SIM kit. Aside from giving us a glimpse at some of T-Mobile’s plans for the next month, these leaked internal documents also mention the date that everyone has been talking about: September 21.

It’s on that day that Apple is supposedly launching the iPhone 5, after revealing it at an expected Apple event on September 12. These new training materials meant for “selling against the iPhone” are scheduled to arrive at T-Mobile stores on September 21, which backs up the rumor that the next iPhone is launching on that day. We shall see soon enough, but for now, have a look at our story timeline below to see what else has been going on at T-Mobile lately.

This next-generation device has been tipped to have a 4-inch display, components that allow for a much bigger battery size than in previous models, and a new configuration at the top and bottom of the unit. The bottom of the device now appears to have two screws (as per the previous generation) but moves the headphone jack from the top of the device down to the bottom. The bottom of the device also utilizes individually drilled holes in the aluminum ring that surrounds the device rather than relying on separately attached grilles.

The photos shown here show what’s said to be the iPhone 5 (or whatever the next-generation iPhone’s final name will be) using the new “mini dock” which we’ve been hearing tips and rumors about for several months. Pictured here is an inside view as well as an outside view, showing that the connector’s size makes a major difference on the inside as far as size goes, with little space necessary for the far fewer pins this futuristic connector certainly requires. We’ve heard several different possibilities ranging from a 16-pin connector to a 9-pin to an 8-pin.

Those of you waiting for the new iPhone should prepare to purchase a converter accessory if you plan on using your previous generation accessories. Apple has been rumored to be making a low-cost converter device for its loyal consumers so that it might stay in the good graces of the massive amount of 3rd party accessory makers in the field today. This accessory may also be included in the box when users pick up a brand new iPhone 5 later this year.

Check out the timeline below to see what else has been rolling around the tip mill over the past few days and set your calendars for September 12th – that may well be the day!

[via MacRumors]

If you’re ordering this hot little number from the web you’ll be getting it in 4-6 business days, while users headed to physical shops across the nation may well be able to pick one up this afternoon. Though it may not look it from the images above and below, this bumper is two-toned and is made of durable rubber and molded plastic.

This unit is only the latest in a line of Apple-made iPhone 4/4S bumpers, with other colors including pink, orange, green, white, blue, and black. All bumpers will cost you a cool $29.00 not including shipping. All of your buttons will continue to be accessible while the bumper is installed, and both your front and back panels are still wide open and viewable.

The RED model does give some bit of its proceeds to the program, with this playing a big part in Apple’s charity efforts on the whole. In an Apple town hall meeting that took place in February of this year, CEO Tim Cook let it be known that sales of (PRODUCT) RED Apple products had at that point generated a whopping $50 million USD – fabulous!

[via MacRumors]

That, obviously, is because Apple requires that customers present evidence of a lower price before it will drop its own prices. Apparently, Apple is willing to part with the iPhone 4 for as low as $49.99, while iPhone 4S models can dip down to $149, $249, and $349. That’s a discount of $49.01 on all models, which isn’t too bad.

Apple has rolled out this price match promotion in response to carriers and other major retailers who have been dropping the price on the iPhone in order to get more people through their doors. In the past, Apple hasn’t really cared too much about partners dropping their prices below its own, with the mentality being that a sale is a sale, and more having more iPhones in the hands of consumers is a good thing. Apple makes more money on iPhone sales at its own stores though, so we can’t really blame the company for trying to bring in as much money as it can on each iPhone sold.

There isn’t any word on how long this promotion will last, and Apple is telling employees that they can only price match offers from “approved” retailers and carriers. We don’t know which retailers those are, precisely, but it seems safe to assume that prices from all the big carries and retails chains (AT&T, Best Buy, Verizon, etc.) are fair game. Keep an ear to SlashGear, as we’ll be sure to let you know if Apple gets any more specific about this price match promotion.

Yet here’s the deal: Apple’s iPhone 4S made a few tweaks to its predecessor and sold millions. Sure, iPhone sales last quarter disappointed the market, but that’s in no small part because the market seems to have a better understanding of what counting money would be like than it does the life-cycles of smartphones.

There is a tremendous hunger for a “new” iPhone, no matter what it brings to the table. For many, the exact functionality doesn’t really matter: they just want an iPhone, either because they’ve heard the name so many times, or they’ve been told so often that that’s “what a smartphone is.” Equally, there’s a sizable fashion element there too, with there being a perceived cachet by many around having a device with the Apple logo.

So, if sales of the iPhone 4S – outwardly identical to its predecessor, mind – were strong, how about if Apple releases a handset obviously difference from the most recent two versions? No more casually triggering Siri to prove you have the latest model; your cutting-edge status will be obvious from the start.

Why is that a problem for Android? Because smartphone ownership is one part common sense, one part budget, and one part lust. For Android, that lust is often spec-led: we see a beautiful Super AMOLED Plus display on a Samsung, for instance, or a high-megapixel count on the camera of an HTC. It’s also arguably the easiest to deliver if you’re a manufacturer. As long as you have the budget, you simply trawl the latest from the component suppliers and piece together something suitably wowing.

With the iPhone, the lust is a combination of iOS’ exclusivity, brand cachet, and functionality, perhaps with a little more weight to the aesthetics, too. The current iPhone has been looking small and dated of late; a bigger screen and a refreshed design would be two huge ticks in its favor. Not only would your friends know you had the latest model, but it would be more obviously new in-store for that all-important final purchasing decision.

Android isn’t going away. Samsung’s meteoric rise in recent quarters is evidence of that. Yet while the Galaxy S III may have had a useful window of opportunity as the iPhone 4S hit its fallow period, that lull is fast coming to an end; on the horizon is an altogether more distinctive challenger from Apple. Beauty may only be skin-deep, but if this really is the leaked iPhone 5, Android has a serious challenge on its hands.

Of the various geographies, iPhone sales were apparently “very strong” in the US and strong in Japan. Greater China was up considerably, with Mainland China up more than 100-percent. However, European sales were basically flat, holding back Apple’s overall results for the three month period.

That’s more than likely a reaction to the ongoing recession, affecting some parts of Europe more than others. UK growth was sturdy, Apple suggested, but Greece, France and Italy were especially poor, and Germany only saw a slight growth. Stronger performance in Eastern Europe wasn’t enough to balance out shortfalls in Western Europe.

As for all the talk of the iPhone 5, expected to be announced in October 2012, Cook did his part to fuel the rumors with the promise of “amazing” products in the pipeline.

“There’s an incredible anticipation” Cook said of eagerness for details on Apple’s next-gen products, though while the CEO insisted that Apple tries “very hard” to be clandestine with its roadmap, nobody expects the chatter to stop any time soon. In fact, Cook said, the very nature of free speech is something he values, and the CEO is “glad” that customers are looking for the next thing.

Let’s get the basics out of the way. It’s a huge number of phones, especially when you consider it’s made up, not of dozens of variants of devices as in Samsung’s expansive range, but of three different models with a few color and capacity choices. It’s also very lucrative; Apple’s Q3 2012 revenue hit $35bn with $8.8bn profit for the three month period.

A good question is which version, exactly, fell in popularity. Apple doesn’t break down individual iPhone sales, so we don’t know if the decline in Q3 versus Q2 was across the board of iPhone 3GS, 4, and 4S versions, or biased toward one or two of those. Given the 3GS is now almost three years old, and very obviously a “previous gen” model from the aesthetics, it’s perhaps not unreasonable to assume that it would carry the brunt of the decline.

On the horizon, meanwhile, is the iPhone 5. Apple’s cyclical refresh pattern makes for a comfortable pace for the company, but it also leads consumers to expect a new model at a certain time of year. That can have a distinct impact on sales – it’s hard to recommend buying even an iPhone 4S today, when a new iPhone is likely just around the corner. Even if that expectation is limited to the rumor-tracking minority of potential iPhone owners, that’s still a chunk of sales Apple could have missed.

It’s also worth remembering that product cycles are just that: cycles, with a peak of demand and then a tail-off afterwards. The iPhone in its current forms has done well to hold out to 26m sales, but there’s no denying that the competition has raised its game since we saw it arrive with Siri and a better camera in late 2011. Samsung’s Galaxy S III mustered almost Apple-degrees of pre-launch intrigue and rumormongery, while HTC has, current struggles aside, had its moment in the spotlight with the capable One X and One S.

Many have a taste for bigger touchscreens and more superlatives on their spec sheets, and Android has, in its most recent iterations, come on in leaps and bounds to close the polish gap between it and iOS. In short, the iPhone isn’t the only game in town, and opting for Android needn’t be an act just as much of masochism as intentional preference.

The iPhone certainly looks weaker this quarter than it did the period before. But rivals should be wary of reading too much into Q3 figures. If the rumors are true, Apple is readying itself for the “revolutionary” phase of its biannual revolution/evolution pattern: a new phone as different from the iPhone 4S as that handset was similar to its predecessor. Factor in the iPhone 4 being the new free-on-contract option, the iPhone 4S getting a price cut to $99, and a glistening new flagship, and the Android army can expect a fight once more.

Concerns had been voiced about the release of the new iPad in China after the release of the iPhone 4S back in January was overshadowed by violence. Apple responded to concerns that gangs of scalpers were planning to strip iPhone 4S stock and sell the handsets on at a profit on the grey market by freezing sales of the smartphone; in the process it triggered near-riots outside Chinese Apple Stores, with would-be buyers insulting staff and pelting the glass facades with eggs and other objects.

“My friend came here last year and queued for the whole day” new iPad buyer Wang Yue told Reuters. ”So I think the process now is much more convenient.”

In fact, a mere twenty people were waiting for the Shanghai Lujiazui Apple Store to open. “I’m very surprised that there is no line” queuer Sun Xufei said. “I thought there was going be a long line so I came over a bit earlier to pick it up.”

However, that didn’t stop Chinese buyers from complaining at the amount of time it took Apple to bring the third-generation iPad to their country, the WSJ reports. Having gone on sale in initial markets back in March, it has taken around four months for the tablet to launch in China, ironic since the slate is actually manufactured there.

Analysts blamed launch tardiness for the iPhone 4S release, suggesting Apple had fueled tensions by withholding it from the growing Chinese market, and suggested that prompter availability and better communication was needed. Apple CEO Tim Cook agreed, saying that the company had underestimated the scale of demand for iOS products.