7th-generation iPod nano hands-on!

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Darren Murph

Not to be outdone by a refreshed iPod touch (and, let's face it, a new iPhone), Apple also shot out a 5.4mm-thick iPod nano today -- that's 38 percent thinner than the one it replaces. We just got our hands on the newest, tiniest music player outside of Apple's product launch today, replete with a 2.5-inch multitouch panel and a familiar Home button. As you'd expect, the enlarged display is hugely beneficial. While there's no bona fide version of iOS on here, the stripped-down variant seems sufficient for handling media alone. As if the ability to watch widescreen video wasn't enough, fitness gurus are also apt to take notice -- inbuilt support for Nike+ gear, along with Bluetooth, make this one potent device.

The Lightning connector seems to make a lot of sense here, given the dearth of real estate along the bottom, but somehow the company squeezed a big enough battery in here to net some 30 reported hours of battery life. In playing with it, we found screen transitions to be adequately smooth, and video playback was surprisingly enjoyable to watch. The screen is most definitely less stunning than the one on the iPod touch, but at $149, you can bet quite a bit of these end up in stockings this holiday season.

Gallery: 7th-generation iPod nano hands-on

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Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio/Video

7th-generation iPod nano hands-on! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 5 confirmed to use nano-SIM, current SIMs not compatible

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Jon Fingas

While Apple was busy announcing the iPhone 5, it left out mention of whether the device would use the recently approved (and Apple-designed) nano-SIM standard. Sure enough, the leaks were right once more -- Apple is relying on that even tinier subscriber module for GSM, HSPA and LTE networks. The company also makes clear that there's no going back, so you'll have to chuck your earlier micro-SIM card if you've got one. Such is the price of progress.

[Thanks to Johannes Knapp for the nano-SIM]

Brad Molen contributed to this report.

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Gallery: The nano-SIM is here

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

iPhone 5 confirmed to use nano-SIM, current SIMs not compatible originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5th-generation iPod touch hands-on!

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Darren Murph

It's obvious that the iPhone 5 is the star of today's show, but Apple's not letting its iPod line go untouched. The newest iPod touch takes a note from the newfangled display on its cellular sibling, bringing a vaster panel (the same 4-inch, 1,136 x 640 one found on the new iPhone). At 88 grams and just 6.1mm thick, it's also shockingly thin and light -- of course, the anodized aluminum backing makes it feel like a premium piece of kit. Premium, as in, right up there with the iPhone. In a world where Apple's seeing its iPod sales sink quarter after quarter due to self-cannibalization from the iPad and iPhone, it's interesting (but appreciated) to see so much effort placed on the new iPod touch.

The introduction of the dual-core A5 chip (that's dual-core on the CPU and the graphics side) is a huge boon for the touch. Apple's claiming a 7x improvement in graphics, and given that this thing is claiming such a huge swath of the mobile gaming market, it's pretty much a necessity. Indeed, our interactions with the device were notably faster than on the prior touch. We didn't exactly have 40 hours here to test the audio playback claims (in fact, we didn't even have eight to test the claims on video), but you can bet that'll be a huge selling point.

Gallery: 5th-generation iPod touch hands-on

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5th-generation iPod touch hands-on! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPod shuffle updated with much-needed new hues

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Terrence O'Brien

iPod shuffle updated with much needed new hues

It's been quite a while since the Shuffle has been updated, but we're happy to say that Apple has shown the tiniest of its music players some much needed love. There's only one change here, but it's by far the most important -- colors! Now the tiny PMPs will match their revamped "iTouch" brothers. Just, you know, with much less functionality. There's even a soft and subtle pink model for all those ladies out there that love being pandered to and a Project (RED) version for the socially conscious. The latest generation of the shuffle should start shipping today.

Check out all the coverage at our iPhone 2012 event hub!

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video

iPod shuffle updated with much-needed new hues originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s signature earbuds rebranded for iPhone 5 as ‘EarPods’

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Ben Gilbert

Yes, finally -- finally -- Apple's years-long headphone debacle may finally be at an end, with the introduction this morning of redesigned earbuds. Their new name: "EarPods." Like so many things from today's Apple press conference, the new earphones look an awful lot like a leak we saw earlier this month. Apple says the new earphones feature, "a breakthrough design for a more natural fit and increased durability, and an incredible acoustic quality typically reserved for higher-end earphones." As seen above, they feature a main and secondary grill on each "pod," and the iPhone version has an inline remote / microphone built-in along the wire. The set looks starkly different from past Apple earphone offerings -- no rubber, distinctly less visible metal, and an all-plastic outer shell.

Rather than create a plugged-up seal as most in-ear headphones do, the pods rest at the edge of your ear canal with the main grill directed straight into it. A port on the back of each bud helps airflow to enhance the midrange, while dual ports on the bottom of each stem helps the bass response. Overall, the intention is to maximize airflow for optimal sound quality. Apple claims the design results in, "overall audio quality [that's] so impressive, they rival high-end headphones that cost hundreds of dollars more." They're available today for purchase as a standalone, and will ship with the new iPod Touch, Nano, and iPhone 5. A standalone set with an inline remote / mic will cost you the same $29 price point of its predecessor -- and they're already available at the source link below.

Gallery: Apple's infamous earbuds rebranded for iPhone 5 as 'EarPods'

Joe Pollicino contributed to this report.

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Tablets, Mobile

Apple's signature earbuds rebranded for iPhone 5 as 'EarPods' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple refreshes iPod nano: 2.5-inch multitouch display, 16GB, Bluetooth, available this October for $149

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Joseph Volpe

With news of Apple's shining star, the iPhone 5, out of the way, the company's shifting focus to its other major pillar: the iPod. Now seven generations in, the iPod nano is getting a refresh with a 38-percent thinner profile and svelte 5.4mm thickness. The multitouch screen now measures 2.5-inches across and sports a physical home button right below. Also packed in to this evolutionary PMP leap is an FM tuner with DVR-like functionality for playback control, Bluetooth radio (for wireless streaming support), inbuilt pedometer and, of course, that slimmed-down Lightning dock connector. And, according to Cupertino, this wee media player should last for up to 30 hours, making it the longest lasting nano the company's ever built. You can snag this 16GB lil' fella in a near rainbow of colors -- seven in all -- this October when it goes on sale for $149. Official PR after the break.

Gallery: Apple outs refreshed iPod nano

Gallery: iPod nano (2012)

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Continue reading Apple refreshes iPod nano: 2.5-inch multitouch display, 16GB, Bluetooth, available this October for $149

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Apple refreshes iPod nano: 2.5-inch multitouch display, 16GB, Bluetooth, available this October for $149 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple discounts iPhone 4S to $99 in the wake of the iPhone 5, iPhone 4 is now free on contract

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Billy Steele

Not sure if you want to splurge for that newfangled iPhone 5 just yet? Well, the folks in Cupertino are now offering a handsome discount on the previous model. That's right, the iPhone 4S will now set you back $99 (with a requisite agreement, of course) and the iPhone 4 is free on contract. In the midst of the all the excitement, Apple also announced that the 3GS will be discontinued.

Check out our liveblog of Apple's event to get the latest news as it happens!

Continue reading Apple discounts iPhone 4S to $99 in the wake of the iPhone 5, iPhone 4 is now free on contract

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Apple discounts iPhone 4S to $99 in the wake of the iPhone 5, iPhone 4 is now free on contract originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iOS 6 coming to iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod Touch on September 19th

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Mat Smith

We know what we're getting from iOS 6 and won't have to wait long for it. Apple's new mobile OS will land on existing phones, tablets and media players on September 19th -- a week from today. As was mentioned when we first saw iOS 6, the cut-off appears to be the iPhone 3GS, while tablets starting from the second iteration will be able to access Apple's new feature set.

Check out our liveblog of Apple's event to get the latest news as it happens!

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iOS 6 coming to iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS, new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod Touch on September 19th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 5 vs. iPhone 4S: what’s changed?

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Daniel Cooper

Its name is enough to send CEOs into cold sweats, which is why the rest of the mobile world spent last week announcing their hardware back-to-back to steal a march on this handset. Now, after all of the rumor, speculation and leaks, Apple's sixth iPhone has finally been unveiled in San Francisco. We've got around 45 minutes before the world begins idly speculating about next year's iteration, so let's spend what little time we have delving into what's changed between now and the last time we were here.

Check out our liveblog of Apple's event to get the latest news as it happens!

Check out all the coverage at our iPhone 2012 event hub!

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iPhone 5 vs. iPhone 4S: what's changed? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iOS 6 gets official debut on the iPhone 5: Maps, Passbook, iCloud Tabs and more

Posted on 12/09/2012 by Sarah Silbert

Now that the iPhone 5 is officially out of the bag, it's time to talk software. Apple hasn't exactly kept its cards close to its chest in regards to iOS 6: Cupertino teased the software at WWDC, letting us in on the direct Facebook integration, the new Maps application, Passbook and "Do Not Disturb" in the process. Today the OS gets official, and Scott Forstall demoed the software on the iPhone 5.

Not too much new here, but the software is out of its beta phase and ready to ship. One of the most hyped additions to iOS 6 has been the Maps application, which includes Siri navigation, 3D building view and satellite imagery. In Safari, there's now a full-screen mode and you'll be able to share tabs from your desktop with your phone (dubbed iCloud Tabs). We're also seeing Passbook in action once again, bringing up a plane ticket at the lockscreen when you get to the airport, for example. One new thing here: Delta is confirmed as a partner for this digital ticket service.

As we've already known, on the Siri front you can bring up sports ranking and Rotten Tomatoes movie ratings via the voice assistant. And, of course, one of the most welcome new features is FaceTime over cellular -- no mention of whether that will be supported on all carriers, but it certainly looks that way. iOS 6 will be available on September 19th (also when the iPhone 5 will go on sale), and it's coming to the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod touch.

Gallery: iOS 6 gets official debut on the iPhone 5