iPhone 6 Plus

Error 53: Apple warns iOS 9 bricks iPhone 6 in case of unauthorized Touch ID repair

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 15, 2016

The Guardian on Friday reported that unauthorized third-party repairs to the iPhone 6's Touch ID Home button will brick the device as soon as iOS 9 is installed. Of course, we all know that using an unauthorized repair service not only voids warranty but puts oneself at risk of having a sub-par component that isn't sanctioned by Apple.

But is deliberate bricking really necessary here? Should users be inconvenienced just because they trusted someone to change their phone's Touch ID button or the cable connecting the Home button to the logic board? According to Apple, this is a security-related feature of iOS 9.

How to disable Home screen rotation on the iPhone 6s Plus [jailbreak]

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

I appreciate my iPhone 6s Plus' ability to display the Home screen in landscape mode, but in practice I rarely use it or even want it. With a stock iPhone 6s Plus, there's no way to prevent the Home screen from rotating without turning off rotation altogether. But a new jailbreak tweak called Nuus will allow you to isolate rotation locking to just the Home screen.

Review: ‘Quarter’ portable battery has MagSafe port

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

China-based Beaver Electronics Co. recently unveiled a reasonably priced portable juice pack with buttonless design that after 15 minute of fast-charging holds enough juice to fully recharge an iPhone 5s. In fact, the Quarter recharges any mobile device via USB.

Surprisingly, through its built-in MagSafe 2 port the Quarter charging its 5,000mAh internal battery via the MacBook's MagSafe wall charger takes under an hour. The company kindly provided me a review unit that I tested out over the past week, here're my impressions.

The SuperCase iPhone 6s armband makes your runs a bit safer

Lory Gil ∙ October 2, 2015

Now that the days are getting shorter, your morning run (or evening jog) might take place while the streetlights are still on. You could carry a flashlight, or wear a headlamp, or you could let your iPhone keep you safe.

The SuperCase armband holds your iPhone 6s securely on you arm while providing a bit of nighttime protection in the form of a reflective strip to make drivers aware of your position.

CM4 Q Card Case for iPhone 6s doubles as a wallet

Lory Gil ∙ September 28, 2015

I hate carrying a bunch of stuff around with me wherever I go. I try to pair down to the minimum, which means a couple of cards, some cash, my iPhone, and maybe some Chapstick (oh, and candy… always gotta have candy). To me, a wallet is a bulky, unnecessary addition that I don't want to deal with.

CM4's Q Card Case for iPhone 6s is perfect for holding your cards and cash so you don't need a wallet. It's ultra thin (as wallet cases go), so you're still ahead when it comes to stuffing your pockets. Now you can have more room for candy.

Fosmon’s portable mini keyboard is the perfect companion for your iPhone 6 or Apple TV

Lory Gil ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

If you tend to type a lot on your iPhone 6, and not just texting your buddies for dinner plans, then you could probably use an external keyboard to help speed things up.

Fosmon makes a portable mini keyboard that is about as small as an iPhone 6 and comes with a trackpad and arrow keys. While the track pad is only useful for non-iOS products, the arrow keys provide a movable cursor while you type.

T-Mobile: trade in your old iPhone 6 and get iPhone 6s for as low as $5 per month

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 23, 2015

T-Mobile's outspoken CEO John Legere confirmed today on Twitter that his company will be offering an iPhone 6s beginning Friday for as low as $5, $10 or $15 per month, depending on the model being purchased and older iPhone traded in, through its JUMP! On Demand device upgrade program. The lowest $5 per month pricing entails an iPhone 6 trade in, while buying a new iPhone 6s for $10 per month requires trading in your iPhone 5s.

Customers can take advantage of this offer even if they have already pre-ordered their device with a trade-in. Leggier conformed in another tweet that pre-orders of new iPhones at T-Mobile are up thirty percent versus the previous year.

Belkin’s Charge and Sync dock has a small footprint and a large range of compatibility

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Sure, you can plug your iPhone into any old USB adapter and throw it on the table (or couch arm or floor) and it won't matter what position it is in while charging. But, if you want your iPhone on display while it charges, you'll want to look into a dock.

Belkin makes a minimalist style charging dock that takes up very little space on your desktop while it provides the juice you need to get your battery to 100 percent.

iPad mini 4 has iPhone 6-class display tech with record-low reflectance for improved readability

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 21, 2015

A thorough analysis of a much improved screen utilized on Apple's fourth-generation iPad mini conducted by DisplayMate has determined that the tablet's display technology is comparable to the iPad Air 2, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The long story short, its screen has richer colors and better color accuracy with a 36 percent better reflectance versus the iPad Air 2 for improved readability.

Square Jellyfish metal tripod mount makes iPhone photography hands-free

Lory Gil ∙ September 16, 2015

Sure, your iPhone 6 has a fantastic camera that allows you to take some incredible photos and videos. As long as you have a steady hand, you can take some breathtaking panoramas of a beach sunset.

Square Jellyfish has a metal, spring-loaded tripod mount that makes photography on your iPhone 6 even better. Attach it to any tripod for quick and easy steady shots. It's small enough to fit in your pocket, but strong enough to fit the largest of smartphones.

What’s making iPhone 6s heavier than its predecessor?

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 14, 2015

This year's iPhones, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, are heavier than last year's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models and it's not just due to their stronger Series 7000 aluminum body.

An article posted Monday by The Verge digs a little deeper into the iPhone 6s weight gain and you'll be surprised to learn which new feature is making Apple's new phones heavier than their predecessors.

Apple: iPhone 6s on pace to beat last year’s 10 million pre-order record

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 14, 2015

Apple this morning confirmed in a statement issued to CNBC that its iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are “on pace” to beat the ten million pre-order record established during last year's first-weekend sales of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The number flies in the face of many clueless analysts who said Apple wouldn’t be able to hit that number this time around because the iPhone has peaked.

Interestingly enough, Apple touted “exceptionally strong” pre-orders for the larger-screened and more expensive 5.5-inch iPhone 6s Plus, with the initial stock sold out globally.

The company did not announce opening weekend iPhone 6s sales at the time of this writing but we're expecting them to announce the new record via a press release shortly.