Hasta La Gadget!

This afternoon the folks at iResQ have snapped a few photos of what appears to be the back shell of the next-generation iPhone ready for release next month by Apple. This device appears to be essentially the same thickness as the previous generation iPhone 4/4S, but a major change appears in the bottom end of the smartphone’s final build. Here it appears that a new generation of Apple mobile products may be born in a dock connector that is essentially 1/4 the size of the original 30-pin “iPod dock”.

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]

iPhone 5 mini dock appears in new shell photos is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Century, the company that brought to the world the insanely useful HDD Stage Rack also known as the SATA HDD Docking station comes today with another nifty little device the Plus One Projector for iPhone 4 and 4S.
This new sleeve for iPhone 4/4S offers not only comes with 1,850mAh internal battery that will be capable to charge your iPhone, but also with a DLP 35ANSI projector with a 1000:1 contrast ratio and VGA resolution. Granted that this may not be the ideal projector to replace your Home …

Today brings news that Apple is matching its competitors’ prices on iPhones at its own retail stores, but the company doesn’t want to make a big deal about it. MacRumors reports that Apple has implemented a new quiet policy that allows employees to price match on all iPhone 4S models and the iPhone 4, so if you want to buy directly from Apple but still want to get the best price possible, now is your chance. It should be noted, however, that Apple will only be price matching on sales made in-store, meaning online orders aren’t eligible for the promotion.

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.

iPhone discounts go deep at Apple retail is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Welcome to Engadget’s back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn’t nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we’re tapping away on our brand-new smartphones — and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they’re added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back — at the end of August we’ll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides — you can hit up the hub page right here!

It’s a good time to be a student. Last year, there were some solid picks, but it was still very clear that those willing to scrimp and save a little longer had a much better experience. This year, it’s a people’s revolution. Thanks to cutthroat competition, there are some exceptional phones out there, even for those of you hoping to avoid eating ramen noodles for a month. Software has taken a leap forward too, with many phones now offering a vital way to remember when that term paper is due… or to procrastinate at the pub. We have nine choices of phones in our shortlist, spread out across three categories to serve everyone from the I-just-need-a-phone freshman to the overloaded doctoral candidate. While you’re eying the selection, don’t forget to enter our giveaway and potentially ease the burden — who knows, you may get a phone you want rather than the one dictated by your student loan.

Continue reading Engadget’s back to school guide 2012: smartphones

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Engadget’s back to school guide 2012: smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s no doubt iPhone accessories are a dime a dozen nowadays, but every now and then we come across one or two that vigorously stand out from the rest of the peripheral pack. Here’s where Mophie’s newly introduced Outride comes in, which clearly — and as the company’s quick to point out — takes a heavy cue from GoPro’s action shooters. All inspirations aside, though, the Outride iPhone companion’s pretty well-stacked on its own, with Mophie offering an integrated polycarbonate case / mounting system that features waterproof and high-impact protection to help the daring folk during those intense, rush-filled adventures. Additionally, Mophie’s taking things beyond the hardware and also announced a free application to pair alongside the Outride unit; this will give people a place where they can create a profile and share their video recordings with other riders. The outfit’s pricing the iPhone 4 / 4S accessory starting at a peaceable $130, and it should be up for grabs around “mid-September.” In the meantime, there’s an extra pic and PR right after the break, for anyone interested in catching a different view and the conclusive word from the Juice Pack maker.

Continue reading Mophie’s Outride turns iPhones into action cameras, comes with dedicated app and starts at $130

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras, Peripherals

Mophie’s Outride turns iPhones into action cameras, comes with dedicated app and starts at $130 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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