iPhone 5s

Moshi launches flip cover iPhone case with embedded sensors

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Accessory maker Moshi on Tuesday announced a new flip cover case for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. The TouchSense, as the name implies, allows you to answer incoming phone calls and silence alarms without having to open the cover.

This nice feat has been accomplished by putting Moshi's proprietary touch-sensitive SensArray plates on the front cover, right where iOS 7's slide-to-unlock (or answer) thingie appears.

And what happens should Apple change the Lock screen UI in the future? I guess Moshi's engineers haven't bothered themselves with such mundane concerns...

Virgin Mobile now offering unsubsidized iPhone 5s for $495, 5c for $405

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Folks in the market for a prepaid iPhone may want to check out Virgin Mobile. The Sprint networked-backed MVNO has just shaved another 10% off its iPhone selection, bringing about some of the cheapest unsubsidized prices we've seen for the handset.

The discount brings the cost of the 16GB iPhone 5s down to $495, and the 32GB 5s down to $585. And if you want to go for the 64GB model, it'll only cost you $675—just a little bit more than you'd normally pay for a 16GB full retail...

Best Buy hosting 2-day sale: $50 off iPad Air, $30 off original iPad Mini

Cody Lee ∙ January 23, 2014

Those in the market for a new iPad Air or a first generation iPad mini may want to check with their local Best Buy this weekend. The retailer is hosting a 2-day sale that will see all models of the two tablets discounted up to $50.

Running Friday and Saturday only, the sale covers all configurations of the iPad Air and original iPad mini. So for example, a 16GB Wi-Fi only Air would only cost you $450. The iPad mini, with its discount, will start at $279...

iPhone 5s owners guzzling up 20 percent more data than iPhone 5 users

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

A new research report from JDSU has revealed that owners of the iPhone 5s are gobbling up 20 percent more data compared to people who own an iPhone 5. This means that for every five megabytes (or gigabytes) of cellular data consumed by an iPhone 5 owner, an additional megabyte (or gigabyte) gets guzzled up by an iPhone 5s owner.

In fact, looking at the list of top ten devices that downloaded most data in 2013, Apple's iOS gadgets took six slots. I'm guessing Tim Cook is smiling as we speak for this survey is another sign of Apple's devices getting far more actual use compared to Android-driven handsets, Android's lead in terms of sheer volume notwithstanding...

Good deal: 65% off 6-piece iPhone photography lens kit

Cody Lee ∙ January 22, 2014

If you're an avid iPhone photographer and find that the handset's tiny lens just isn't cutting it anymore, there are a number of add-on lens kits to choose from. Olloclip makes several, Sony makes one, and there are countless options from lesser-known brands.

These kits usually only contain a couple of lenses, but a company called Bazaared is taking things a step further with its Ultimate iPhone Lens Kit. It includes 5 lenses, a tripod and carrying case, and it's being heavily discounted right now over at Stack Social...

How to make “slide to unlock” appear immediately on the iPhone 5s

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

NoDelay64 is a recently released jailbreak tweak for iPhone 5s owners. It's a tweak that removes the delay from the appearance of the "slide to unlock" on Touch ID enabled devices.

Apple adds a delay to the famous "slide to unlock" text, because it assumes that most iPhone 5s users with Touch ID enabled will be using Touch ID instead. This new tweak gets rid of that delay with a simple Cydia install. Have a look past the jump to see how it works on video.

How to emulate the iPhone’s Sleep button with the proximity sensor

Jeff Benjamin ∙ January 18, 2014

SleekSleep is a recently released jailbreak tweak that allows you to emulate a press of the sleep button by means of the iPhone's proximity sensor. This basically means that you can sleep or wake your iPhone using a wave or swiping motion in front of the device.

As we always like to do here at iDB, we've taken the liberty to record a walkthrough of SleekSleep so that you can see exactly how it works. Take a look past the break to see this interesting tweak in action.

Tim Cook signs iPhones at China Mobile launch, says ‘great things’ coming

Cody Lee ∙ January 17, 2014

China Mobile's highly anticipated iPhone launch is now in full swing over in Beijing. After years of failed negotiations, Apple finally inked a deal with the carrier last month, giving it access to the worlds-largest subscriber base of 750+ million people.

We've been talking about the importance of this partnership for months now, but for those that needed a reminder, Tim Cook showed up in person at this morning's launch. The CEO took photos, signed autographs and even answered a few questions...

Skype gains push notifications for chats, two-way video calling in HD on A7 devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 27, 2016

Skype for iPhone rolled out the ability to conduct two-way video chatting back in December 2010, but the quality of these video calls left a lot to be desired. Back then, the iPhone 4's back camera could only capture video in 720p and the front-facing camera was good only for VGA-grade video chatting.

Besides, the handset lacked the processing power to make two-way video calling in high-definition a reality.

Today's update to Skype's free iPhone and iPad client brings HD video calling to the iPhone 5s, iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display, along with an improved chatting experience and more...

Apple ships 1.4 million iPhone 5s units to China Mobile ahead of Friday’s launch

Cody Lee ∙ January 14, 2014

After several years of negotiations, and following months of rumors, Apple announced in December that it had finally inked a deal with China Mobile. The carrier will officially start offering the company's smartphone on January 17.

And it looks like they're expecting a big turnout. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple supplier Foxconn has shipped roughly 1.4 million iPhone 5s units to China Mobile ahead of Friday's historic launch...

CES 2014: Sensus case adds pressure-sensitive touchpads to your iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

There's been no shortage of iPhone cases trying to think outside the box at CES this year. We've seen cases from OtterBox that are both thin and protective, a backup battery and storage case from Mophie, and now we have a new one to share.

This is the Sensus case, from Canopy, and its big standout feature is that it adds pressure-sensing strips to the sides and back of any iPhone 5 or 5s. These strips essentially add an extra method of input for navigating apps or playing games...

CES 2014: Flir One case brings true thermal imaging to your iPhone 5/5s

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

Avid iPhone photography fans are always on the lookout for new ways of improving their snaps and photography skills to give their work an added edge.

Pitched as the world's first private thermal imager, the Flir One case slides right onto your iPhone 5 and lets you "see the heat wherever you go".

It slides onto your iPhone like an ordinary protective case and displays the infrared world on its screen.

We're talking true thermal imaging here, not the kinds of fake infrared effects you see in many photography apps on the App Store...