Phone Scoop - Apple iPhone 5s Updates

Appeals Court Reverses Patent Decision Against Apple

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 15:17:27 GMT

Apple has won a reversal in a court case worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals tossed a decision that awarded the University of Wisconsin's patent licensing business $234 million in damages. The original decision found Apple guilty of violating patents held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). WARF had successfully argued that the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus used its patent for improving processor performance using a predictive model without permission. This week, a federal judge agreed with Apple that the jurors could not have reached this conclusion given the actual evidence presented during the trial. The original $234 million judgement was increased to a total of $506 million because Apple continued to use the technology in question in subsequent iPhones. With the original judgement now vacated, it's not clear what, if anything, is owed to WARF. The patent, granted to WARF in 1998, expired in December 2016. Neither Apple nor WARF commented on the latest development.

MetroPCS Opens Up iPhone Sales Nationwide

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 14:56:03 GMT

T-Mobile's prepaid brand, MetroPCS, is now selling the entire range of Apple iPhones at more than 5,000 of its stores around the country. The prepaid carrier first tested iPhone sales at a limited number of stores in Florida. MetroPCS is selling the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus for $649 and $749, respectively, and the iPhone SE and iPhone 5s for $349 and $199, respectively. MetroPCS does not require contracts and service plans start at $35 per month.

Chase Adds Fingerprint Support to iPhone App

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 13:56:32 GMT

Chase today added support for Touch ID to its mobile banking application for the iPhone. Owners of the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus can now use their fingerprint rather than a password to unlock the application. The JP Morgan app is also Touch ID enabled. Chase said it will add fingerprint support to its Android application later this year.

ReSound Smart Hearing Aid Connects To Your Phone

Tue, 06 Jan 2015 03:03:35 GMT

ReSound is a line of proper hearing aids that connect to your iPhone or Android phone for both audio and control. They connect just like a Bluetooth headset, to enable the user to hear calls, music, and video clearly. An app also offers detailed control over the hearing aid functions. The app lets the user choose from and customize various sound profiles, and also includes a "find my hearing aid" feature to help locate a lost hearing aid. ReSound is already available for iPhone; Android support was just announced this week, starting with the Samsung Galaxy S5. Read on for more detail in our quick hands-on report.

Opera Adds Handoff Feature to Coast Browser for iOS

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Opera today announced Coast 4.0, a new version of its browser for the iPhone and iPad. According to Opera, the idea behind the new browser is to make it easier for iOS device owners to find content. For example, it introduces the Discover feature, which helps users find stories and news from all over the internet. It uses Opera Turbo Compression to reduce the size of web pages as they transit networks and deliver them to devices faster. A new sharing button makes it simple to push content in the browser to social networks. Last, the app adds compatibility with iOS 8's continuity tool, which allows Coast users to browse on one device and pick up right where they left off on another device thanks to web session syncing. Opera's Coast 4.0 for iOS is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

iOS 8.1.2 Fixes Ringtone Bug

Tue, 09 Dec 2014 18:08:57 GMT

Apple today released iOS 8.1.2, a minor update to its mobile operating system for iPhones, iPads, and iPods. According to Apple, the release includes bug fixes and addresses a problem where ringtones purchased through the iTunes Store may have removed them from devices. The update is small, but still requires WiFi to download and install.

Apple Pushes iOS 8.1.1 to Boost iPhone 4s Performance

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 18:39:48 GMT

Apple today made available iOS 8.1.1, a minor update meant to help improve the performance of the iPhone 4s and iPad 2. The update also resolves some on-going bugs for newer Phones and iPads. It is free to install.

Apple Makes iOS8 Available to the Masses

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 17:06:40 GMT

Apple today released iOS8 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch (5th gen). iOS8 offers a number of refinements to Apple's mobile operating system. Some of the new features include a new word prediction engine and support for third-party keyboards; family sharing for iTunes content; Continuity for seamless messaging across devices; revised gallery and camera apps that make sharing and editing easier; improvements to Spotlight search; the ability to send audio clips within text messages; and Health for tracking fitness and health apps. iOS8 is compatible with the iPhone 4s, 5, 5s, and 5c, as well as most iPads. It comes preinstalled on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which go on sale September 19. The system update can be installed over Wi-Fi or via iTunes.

Google Adds Offline Playback for Movies/TV on iOS

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:55:11 GMT

Google today updated the Play Movies & TV app for iOS devices. The most significant new feature is support for offline playback. iPhone and iPad owners will be able to rent movies from the Google Play store, download them to their device, and watch them when offline though the Play Movies & TV app. Google also made stability improvements to, and enhanced performance of, the app. Google Play Movies & TV is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

Skype for iPhone Gains Group Audio

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:26:26 GMT

Skype today updated its application for the iPhone. Skype 5.4 adds one core feature: the ability to host group calls. The updated app can initiate calls to groups with a single press. In-progress calls allow participants to see who's on the call, as well as add or drop participants at will. Skype 5.4 for the iPhone is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

Sprint Expands Framily Wall to iPhone Customers

Mon, 04 Aug 2014 14:28:07 GMT

Sprint today said its iPhone customers now have access to the Sprint Framily Wall product. Sprint customers can use the Framily Wall to hold single and group chats, share videos and pictures, and collaborate through calendars. The basic service is free and includes 100MB of online storage. A premium version ups storage to 10GB and adds support for HD photos/videos for $3 per month. Sprint Framily Wall is already available to Android devices.

Gmail for iOS Adds Drive File Sharing

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 18:47:32 GMT

Google today rolled out an update for its Gmail app for iOS devices. The update carries over a feature given to the Android app earlier this month: the ability to share files from Google Drive. iPhone and iPad owners can now insert documents from their Drive account into emails as they compose them on their device. The app makes it easy to save email attachments from Gmail to Drive, too. Gmail for iOS allows users to change their Gmail account picture, and those with multiple Gmail accounts can choose which signed-in accounts they want visible in the app. Gmail is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

Microsoft Adds More Features to Skype for iPhone

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 12:18:05 GMT

Microsoft's Skype team today announced yet another update to its mobile application for the iPhone. Skype version 5.2 adds several new features, including new support for voice messages, which are automatically added to text conversations. The app makes it easier to view contact profiles, which reveals details such as mood, name, birthday, location, and so on. Skype 5.2 also allows users to add participants to existing conversations. Skype completely overhauled its iPhone app in mid-June. Skype for the iPhone is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

Apple Releases iOS 7.1.2 to Squelch Bugs

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:47:14 GMT

Apple today released a minor update to iOS for iPhones and iPads. The small system jump resolves several bugs and can be downloaded and installed over the air for free.

Truphone to Sell Apple iPhone 5s/5c May 30

Fri, 23 May 2014 12:13:14 GMT

Truphone announced that it will sell the Apple iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c beginning May 30. Truphone traditionally relies on a bring-your-own-device model and only sells SIM cards and mobile applications. The iPhones will be among the first handsets the company has sold directly. Truphone didn't say how much it will charge for the iPhone 5s/5c, but they will likely be the unlocked versions of the handsets in order to be compatible with as many different networks as possible. Truphone offers worldwide coverage thanks to roaming agreements with carriers around the globe. People can purchase a Truphone SIM card and rate plan and enjoy local calling, messaging, and data rates in dozens of countries. Earlier this week, Truphone expanded its reach to 66 countries. Travelers will enjoy the best rates in the Truphone Zone, which are eight core countries (U.S., U.K., Australia, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and Spain). Customers can choose up to eight international phone numbers that are active on the same SIM card in order to take advantage of the best rates possible. Truphone also offers apps for Android, BlackBerry, and iOS devices that provide free international calling via Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G.

Verizon Brands Its Dual-Band LTE Markets as 'XLTE'

Mon, 19 May 2014 14:50:56 GMT

Verizon Wireless today announced the launch of XLTE service, which is a new way for the company to market its dual-band LTE network. Verizon Wireless initially deployed LTE in the 700MHz band. Verizon's build-out of LTE in the 700MHz band is functionally complete. Verizon began rolling out LTE on its 1700MHz AWS spectrum late last year, and has been slowly adding markets over time. As of today, Verizon says it has initiated service on its AWS spectrum in half its existing LTE footprint. Moving forward, Verizon Wireless will market its dual-band LTE coverage as XLTE in much the same way that Sprint is marketing its tri-band LTE service as Sprint Spark. According to Verizon, XLTE markets offer consumers far more headroom thanks to dramatically improved capacity. With twice the spectrum to work with, XLTE markets can deliver faster peak data speeds when compared to Verizon's 700MHz-only LTE markets. Verizon said a number of its most popular devices are already compatible with its XLTE service, including the Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, and Note 3; the Apple iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c; and the Motorola Droid Maxx, Ultra, and Mini. Customers who own these devices don't need to do anything in order to take advantage of XLTE. They'll automatically connect to Verizon's dual-band LTE network where it is available. Non-XLTE devices will still be able to access Verizon's LTE network as normal. Verizon will continue to roll out XLTE to more markets over time. Verizon didn't say how long it will take to build-out its AWS LTE coverage. Verizon acquired the AWS spectrum from a consortium of cable companies in 2012.

Sprint Intros Total Equipment Protection Plus

Mon, 19 May 2014 13:53:12 GMT

Sprint today rolled out an enhanced version of its handset insurance program. The new program, called Total Equipment Protection Plus offers to insure not only the handset, but the contents of the handset as well. The device insurance is provided by Asurion and protects against loss, theft, damage, and device malfunction. The expanded service can be used to automatically backup and secure on-device data, such as photos, contacts, videos, and settings. TEP Plus will also use monitoring and optimization tools to improve battery life and performance, as well as apply antivirus and malware tools to protect against intrusive or harmful apps. The service can remotely find, lock, or erase a missing device, and provide one-click access to a live tech support representative for instant help with problems. Total Equipment Protection Plus is compatible with the iPhone and Android devices (4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and up). Customers can upgrade to the new service or stay with their existing service. Total Equipment Protection Plus costs $13 per month.

Yahoo Marries iPhone Email App with News and Weather

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 18:09:28 GMT

Yahoo today rolled out a new version of its email application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The email app continues to serve as a dedicated, mobile link to your Yahoo inbox, but Yahoo added several new features. The bottom of the screen now holds three tabs: email, news, and today. The first tab takes users to their inbox. The second tab takes users to a page full of headlines culled from Yahoo's home page. The third tab takes people to a somewhat more specific news page that includes local weather, stock quotes, and sports scores from nearby teams. Yahoo Mail is free to download from the iTunes App Store, though Yahoo said the new version will be rolled out to U.S. users over the next couple of weeks.

Apple Releases iOS 7.1.1 to Squash Bugs

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 17:08:38 GMT

Apple today made iOS 7.1.1 available for download. The minor system update, which applies to the iPhone and iPad, resolves a handful of ongoing issues. It further improves performance of the TouchID function of the iPhone 5s, tweaks keyboard responsiveness, and tackles a bug related to Bluetooth keyboards when VoiceOver is activated. The update marks the first maintenance update to iOS 7.1, which was released last month, and is free to download and install.

Facebook Messenger for iOS Adds Support for Groups

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 12:18:27 GMT

Facebook recently updated Messenger for iOS devices and added several new features to the stand-alone messaging app. First and foremost, Messenger now supports groups. Users can create groups, name them, tag them with photos, and save them. Second, users can now forward messages from one user/conversation to another. Facebook also said the app contains several bug fixes and performance improvements. Facebook Messenger for the iPhone is free to download from iTunes.