The Official iPhone 5 Thread (Liveblog links inside!)

[Zaap]

Definitely a big improvement. I'm semi-impressed.

I'm definitely not excited as far as Apple's stock going insane and shooting up above $700 which is really all I personally care about when it comes to Apple. I was hoping for something a little more cutting edge, and definitely for an iPod-mini. Ah well. New iPod Touch.. meh. The nano is more interesting.

My biggest hope is that they will standardize the new connector from now on, and work on making all devices work with all accessories without it changing with each new generation. If no one put any thought into that, then the new connector is half-assed.

Call me cynical, but for the first time I really feel like we're starting to see Apple in 'been there, done that' mode. After a wait of this long, they used to come out with new things that'd make even their harshest critics go "wow, hadn't really expected that."

This time it's just like, "Oh. They redid some stuff they already do. Meh."

I guess even Apple has set the bar so high for themselves to top, it's unrealistic to expect them to keep doing it.

 

[lothar]

That the second time that i'm not impressed with the new iPhone.
I miss the excitement i got from the iPhone 3G and iPhone 4.

What you miss is Steve Jobs.

 

[Phokus]

Oh god, i love the onion

http://www.theonion.com/articles/apple-announces-new-iphone-with-nword-on-back-know,29531/

:awe:

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I'm definitely not excited as far as Apple's stock going insane and shooting up above $700 which is really all I personally care about when it comes to Apple. I was hoping for something a little more cutting edge, and definitely for an iPod-mini. Ah well. New iPod Touch.. meh. The nano is more interesting.

My biggest hope is that they will standardize the new connector from now on, and work on making all devices work with all accessories without it changing with each new generation. If no one put any thought into that, then the new connector is half-assed.

Let's not forget the 30 pin connector has been around since... the launch of the iPod in what 2001? And since 2004 we've had the USB connector.

Honestly for the iPod to capture something like 80% of the portable music marketshare, and then to have the iPhone be the first major capacitive touchscreen phone even now holding something like 1/3 of the marketshare of smartphones, and then having the iPad hold close to 70% of its marketshare all use the same damn connector, that's fine by me. It's almost just as easy to grab a micro USB connector from some random dude at my office as it is to find an iPhone charger. They're ubiquitous.

I do hope the next connector is here to stay, but I think Apple did a good job for sticking to the old connector for so long. MicroUSB hasn't even been a standard for this long.

I'd only be worried if they're changing connectors at the pace that Intel changes sockets.

 

[Zaap]

Let's not forget the 30 pin connector has been around since... the launch of the iPod in what 2001? And since 2004 we've had the USB connector.

That's not what I'm talking about. It's the same physical connector, but even from one generation to another iDevice compatibility often gets broken. Heck, it happens sometimes even from one iOS version to another on the same device.

I'm hoping Apple put some actual thought into this with the new connector, to where it won't matter what generation a device is (or what iOS version) for accessories to work with it. For a company that supposedly puts so much thought into even the smallest details, I don't see where that's such an impossible mission.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

That's not what I'm talking about. It's the same physical connector, but even from one generation to another iDevice compatibility often gets broken. Heck, it happens sometimes even from one iOS version to another on the same device.

I'm hoping Apple put some actual thought into this with the new connector, to where it won't matter what generation a device is (or what iOS version) for accessories to work with it. For a company that supposedly puts so much thought into even the smallest details, I don't see where that's such an impossible mission.

So the oldest device I have around the house is an iPhone 3GS. The charging cable that came with it charges my iPod Touch 4G, iPad 2 perfectly. I'm not sure what you're referring to.

I don't even know why you are bringing this up as an issue. It's pretty obvious ANY company doing a connector switch is going to put some "actual thought" into this. I'm pretty confident I can put down money that this connector will be relevant for at least 3 years to come. Minimum.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

One thing I noticed was the weight of the iPhone 5. 112grams? That's as light as the plasticky Galaxy S1! Lighter even. As a fan of *some* weight I don't like extreme lightness or thinness. However, given the iPhone's metal/glass construction it should feel more sturdy than the plasticky Galaxy S phones, so maybe that won't hurt it so bad in terms of solidness in feel.

Who knows. But I felt like the 140g weight before was a nice weight. Even 130g is decent, but going down to 112 really feels too little.

 

[Zaap]

So the oldest device I have around the house is an iPhone 3GS. The charging cable that came with it charges my iPod Touch 4G, iPad 2 perfectly. I'm not sure what you're referring to.

I don't even know why you are bringing this up as an issue. It's pretty obvious ANY company doing a connector switch is going to put some "actual thought" into this. I'm pretty confident I can put down money that this connector will be relevant for at least 3 years to come. Minimum.

Why do you always go off on these tangents, when it's clear you have no idea what you're ranting about, then stupidly ask "Why are you bringing this up?" Why are you responding to something without a clue what's being said?

I made it clear I'm not talking about charger cables. Look up any iDevice accessory type. Notice there's often a list of compatible devices. For example, I just went to Amazon, typed in iPod Dock, and here's the first device I come across (or look up your own example):

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ICF-C05iP...ords=ipod+dock

Notice it has to list compatibility by generation of device (NOT merely the connector type, DUH):

Compatibility: iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G; iPod classic 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G; iPhone 1G, 3G, 3GS

This product isn't old, it's not made by some no-name company, and this is typical. Someone may have bought this when they had, say, an iPhone 3GS or 2G iPod Touch, then they upgrade to the next gen, bam, it doesn't work. If you dock an incompatible generation iDevice in this, it will say 'device not compatible'. It likely won't even charge the device.

Like I said, I've seen where this generation incompatibility issue happens even with an iOS upgrade. (For example, my wife's stereo head unit adapter in her car stopped working from iOS 4 to iOS 5 on the same device.)

It's clearly too late for Apple to deal with this for past iDevices, but I'm *hoping* that from here on with a new connector type, someone has thought about and addressed this to where it becomes a non-issue. Lots of people will probably have to buy many of their accessories over again starting with this new generation of iDevices. Hopefully a few generations and all those accessories don't suddenly become obsolete AGAIN because Apple's updated something that breaks the compatibility. If they've put more thought into it from the start, and have a plan for future devices/iOS updates, then it shouldn't be the problem it's been in the past.

 

[Fire&Blood]

My mistake. I let my frustration out and didn't contribute one bit with that post.

Yes indeed, iphone 5 won't be the very first device post A9 architecture but overall SoC to SoC comparisons will favor the A6. While Qualcomm's custom SoC is ahead of A9 and the benefits are there no matter what else you package it with, I think it's a really poor match with any Adreno 2xx part, I find them all anemic just the same. That's my main gripe here, Qualcomm is holding back Adreno 3xx's as if the 2xx's are spanking everything else out there and we know that's not the case.

Even in the off chance that the iphone 5 has the same GPU as the previous model, non Apple devices have yet to catch up. I do back the Android platform, I'm just wondering how long it will be before an equivalent SoC running Android is widely available.

I think Apple did more than enough for a "tock" cycle, I'm curious to see just how well it will sell.

 

[chewietobbacca]

Can't wait to see VZW, AT&T and Sprint's LTE networks take a nose dive after launch.... /sarcasm

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Why do you always go off on these tangents, when it's clear you have no idea what you're ranting about, then stupidly ask "Why are you bringing this up?" Why are you responding to something without a clue what's being said?

I made it clear I'm not talking about charger cables. Look up any iDevice accessory type. Notice there's often a list of compatible devices. For example, I just went to Amazon, typed in iPod Dock, and here's the first device I come across (or look up your own example):

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ICF-C05iP...ords=ipod+dock

Notice it has to list compatibility by generation of device (NOT merely the connector type, DUH):

Compatibility: iPod mini; iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G; iPod classic 4G, 5G, 5.5G, 6G; iPod touch 1G, 2G; iPhone 1G, 3G, 3GS

This product isn't old, it's not made by some no-name company, and this is typical. Someone may have bought this when they had, say, an iPhone 3GS or 2G iPod Touch, then they upgrade to the next gen, bam, it doesn't work. If you dock an incompatible generation iDevice in this, it will say 'device not compatible'. It likely won't even charge the device.

Like I said, I've seen where this generation incompatibility issue happens even with an iOS upgrade. (For example, my wife's stereo head unit adapter in her car stopped working from iOS 4 to iOS 5 on the same device.)

It's clearly too late for Apple to deal with this for past iDevices, but I'm *hoping* that from here on with a new connector type, someone has thought about and addressed this to where it becomes a non-issue. Lots of people will probably have to buy many of their accessories over again starting with this new generation of iDevices. Hopefully a few generations and all those accessories don't suddenly become obsolete AGAIN because Apple's updated something that breaks the compatibility. If they've put more thought into it from the start, and have a plan for future devices/iOS updates, then it shouldn't be the problem it's been in the past.

I did not go off a tangent. I referenced the cable because you had a concern over the connector. The cable is the most commonly seen connector as every single iPhone comes with one and people have multiple cables in many cases.

Have you ever considered the dock was designed at an earlier date? Not every manufacturer goes and updates specs, much less make sure that it's updated on Amazon. If you search the reviews of this dock product (I searched 4s), then you will see that people report the 4S working.

If phones don't work due to physical fit, that's one thing. I don't expect my Motorola Droid dock to work on my SGS3. But they use the same damn microUSB port.

But we're talking about the connector. I don't know what head unit you have, but in my friend's car with a pre iPhone 3GS head unit, his 4s works just fine. My ex-gf's iPod dock lamp which serves her iPod MINI works fine on the iPod Touch 4G.

The only case where I could not get something to work was where my iPad 2 would not charge off a legacy Firewire iPod connector. Those were from the past. Like 7-8 years ago.

Now let's go back to your post:

My biggest hope is that they will standardize the new connector from now on, and work on making all devices work with all accessories without it changing with each new generation. If no one put any thought into that, then the new connector is half-assed.

You implied connector change, meaning design change. I replied saying no one's going to make a short sighted change.

Furthermore, the connector IS standardized. I'm not sure what was not standardized about the previous connector.

Finally, you also talked about your wife's stereo head unit. Why do you blame Apple immediately for making their new devices incompatible? In terms of charging, the devices work using the same cable. What if it was the head unit manufacturer having outdated software? What if it was them who was short sighted in terms of firmware and software on their side?

I feel if the USB cable itself can charge the same device, then the hardware side is deemed ok.

That's not what I'm talking about. It's the same physical connector, but even from one generation to another iDevice compatibility often gets broken. Heck, it happens sometimes even from one iOS version to another on the same device.

Let's put it this way. How many people do you know use audio docks for their Android phones? Not many people. How many cars have microUSB docks for their Android phones? Not many. Now imagine a world where all the iDevice accessory makers did stuff for Android devices too.

Since none of their work is sponsored by Google or Samsung or any device maker, and they're totally on their own, it is up to THEM to make sure their mode of communicating with the device is one that isn't version specific. I woudln't be surprised if out of all the docks in the world, that after upgrading to ICS or something, it would break. I wouldn't be surprised if flashing custom ROMs would cause your audio dock to fail. The point is if the same thing happened on Android, I wouldn't be surprised if things messed up. Apple's been pretty good about having a closed walled garden, meaning their media player is always the same, but I can guarantee you the same thing would screw up royally on Android given the music player has changed over the years, and manufacturers bundle their crap too. It's also up to the accessory maker to do a good job in communicating with the device. If you even appreciate the complexity that goes into something like this, then maybe you can see why in SOME cases device compatibility fails. But for every dock that screws up I'm pretty sure there's another one that works across the board. I've been enough places and hotels to see old docks and new docks, I have yet to run into one that wont take my jailbroken iPod Touch 4G.

 

[Ichinisan]

...

I'll clarify the connector issue he was talking about:
Until the iPhone 3G, many iDevice chargers used some pins that are meant for firewire voltage. The 3G was the first 30-pin iDevice that didn't support charging over those pins. Since then, none of the newer iDevices support those old chargers.

It wasn't a big deal because most chargers at that point used the 5v pins. However, I knew multiple people that experienced charging compatibility issues.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

My mistake. I let my frustration out and didn't contribute one bit with that post.

Yes indeed, iphone 5 won't be the very first device post A9 architecture but overall SoC to SoC comparisons will favor the A6. While Qualcomm's custom SoC is ahead of A9 and the benefits are there no matter what else you package it with, I think it's a really poor match with any Adreno 2xx part, I find them all anemic just the same. That's my main gripe here, Qualcomm is holding back Adreno 3xx's as if the 2xx's are spanking everything else out there and we know that's not the case.

Even in the off chance that the iphone 5 has the same GPU as the previous model, non Apple devices have yet to catch up. I do back the Android platform, I'm just wondering how long it will be before an equivalent SoC running Android is widely available.

I think Apple did more than enough for a "tock" cycle, I'm curious to see just how well it will sell.

Lg has already shown off a quad core S4 + Adreno 3xx device so I don't see how you are getting that A6 will be a winner when S4 pro will clearly offer better cpu performance. Apple might have a faster gpu but it's hard to say for sure until we know what it is.

 

[MrX8503]

Lg has already shown off a quad core S4 + Adreno 3xx device so I don't see how you are getting that A6 will be a winner when S4 pro will clearly offer better cpu performance. Apple might have a faster gpu but it's hard to say for sure until we know what it is.

Talking about the Optimus G? That's not out till Oct-Nov in Korea. iPhone 5 is out next week.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

I believe the reason is that the existing 4S already has the horizontal resolution of 640 so the easiest solution was to simply increase the vertical. This means the existing apps only need to be stretched in one direction. Just a guess, but seems to make some kind of sense.

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I vaguely remember reading something similar, that iOS apps are compiled/rendered (not sure if correct term being used) for a specific resolution i.e. apps do not scale according to available resolution. I just couldn't find a source for it and wasn't sure if I remembered it right.

 

[ponyo]

Talking about the Optimus G? That's not out till Oct-Nov in Korea. iPhone 5 is out next week.

Which is why it's super impressive. No one does global product launch better than Apple. They're the best in the biz and something other companies need to copy. I'm talking to you Amazon, Nokia, Microsoft. Kindle Fire 8.9 is not shipping til Nov 21 or something like that. Which is a joke.

 

[darkewaffle]

Maybe it's just me but I don't think there's been any particularly remarkable 'innovation' in the iPhone lineup since the original; it's just been continually refined in my eyes. The 5 seems like just as reasonable of an iteration to the lineup as every other model has been.

 

[MrX8503]

Which is why it's super impressive. No one does global product launch better than Apple. They're the best in the biz and something other companies need to copy. I'm talking to you Amazon, Nokia, Microsoft. Kindle Fire 8.9 is not shipping til Nov 21 or something like that. Which is a joke.

I think companies get trigger happy. They announce their device, but it's not available till months later.

Apple announces their products and you can buy it next week.

 

[dagamer34]

I think companies get trigger happy. They announce their device, but it's not available till months later.

Apple announces their products and you can buy it next week.

Companies announce products early so they can tell you about them on THEIR terms. Witness the sheer number of stories which say there was nothing that surprised us because this stuff has been leaking for MONTHS.

What Apple has that other companies don't have however is the history and luxury of saying nothing until a product is officially announced and ready for sale. That becomes a problem because tech press will keep calling and asking for a comment and get no response. And unfortunately, in the absence of actual information, tech press write horrible speculation pieces just to fill space (stuff like "OMG is Windows Phone 8 not ready? I would expected it by now! Microsoft and Nokia are DOOMED!")

The reveal of a new product that no one has ever seen before makes a huge impression. Why else do you think that every single Windows 8 tablet announced was compared to the Microsoft Surface?

And unlike in the Apple RDF, in the real world, people need to plan their purchases. They can't just drop $700 on a device within a week's notice.

 

[rcpratt]

And unlike in the Apple RDF, in the real world, people need to plan their purchases. They can't just drop $700 on a device within a week's notice.

That's not really how it works, though. Yeah, the details were just announced yesterday, but everybody has known that the iPhone 5 was coming in September for months. And probably at least half of those that are going to buy it were going to buy it whether it was the best phone ever or a steaming pile of shit.

 

[halik]

Maybe it's just me but I don't think there's been any particularly remarkable 'innovation' in the iPhone lineup since the original; it's just been continually refined in my eyes. The 5 seems like just as reasonable of an iteration to the lineup as every other model has been.

This, it's slightly better than 4->4S. I've changed my mind and sticking it out with Galaxy Nexus. Just not as blown away as I was earlier.

 

[dagamer34]

That's not really how it works, though. Yeah, the details were just announced yesterday, but everybody has known that the iPhone 5 was coming in September for months. And probably at least half of those that are going to buy it were going to buy it whether it was the best phone ever or a steaming pile of shit.

The people who were going to buy it regardless tend to have a lot of disposable income. Those aren't the people I'm talking about.

 

[grkM3]

Wait the qualcom s4 is a fake CPU? You guys are hilarious.I just scored 5900 on my unrooted gs3 and running stock clocks.

I will bet my gs3 that the iPhone 5 CPU won't match the performance of a s4 soc.

At 1.5ghz I'm beating a quad core a9 at 1.7ghz

I laughed literally out loud when I read a s4 is a fake a15.when it beating the hell out of quad core real a9s

 

[rcpratt]

The people who were going to buy it regardless tend to have a lot of disposable income. Those aren't the people I'm talking about.

In general I agree, but I'm not sure that the rule holds true for iProducts.

 

[dagamer34]

Wait the qualcom s4 is a fake CPU? You guys are hilarious.I just scored 5900 on my unrooted gs3 and running stock clocks.

I will bet my gs3 that the iPhone 5 CPU won't match the performance of a s4 soc.

At 1.5ghz I'm beating a quad core a9 at 1.7ghz

I laughed literally out loud when I read a s4 is a fake a15.when it beating the hell out of quad core real a9s

I don't think it's really worth discussing stuff like that who are that ill informed. It will be interesting to see how well the A15 benchmarks, though I suspect that the clock speed will be around ~1Ghz or so for power savings. It's likely Android designs next year from Samsung will kick that up to 1.5-1.7Ghz.