iphone4s

What I'd like to see in the iPhone 5

I've owned an iPhone every year since its 2007 debut. Every one. The reward for such reckless upgrading has been a sense of the iPhone's evolution over those years. What started as a device that had not many apps to speak of, but dripped futurism, has become an always-on, location-aware, frighteningly integral part of my nervous system.

While I've listed what we expect out of the next iPhone, I haven't told you what I want. So, here's my own personal list of what matters most...to me.… Read more

Upset! iPhone 4S surrenders U.S. crown to Galaxy S3

Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S3 surpassed the iPhone 4S as the top-selling U.S. smartphone in August, the first time that Apple's flagship phone has relinquished its position atop the smartphone food chain.

That's according to Canaccord Genuity analyst T. Michael Walkley, who checks in with retailers to see how each phone is doing.

The iPhone 4S, which initially launched with AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint Nextel, and then expanded to a number of other carriers, has held the top spot as the single best-selling phone ever since it launched in October. To have held on to … Read more

Get top dollar for iPhone trade-ins

Wednesday's Update pays top dollar to bring you the top stories:

Analysts are predicting that as many as 10 million iPhones could be sold if Apple launches it in September. That's because many reports are pointing to a Sept. 21 release date for the next model. So if you're planning on selling your old phone for cash, you should plan ahead to make the most money. Trade-in sites like eBay Instant Sale, NextWorth and Gazelle are already seeing an increase of visitors looking to sell an iPhone 4S or iPhone 4.

You can get more money for … Read more

Cheaper? Sure. But a discounted iPhone 4S is no bargain

Now is not the time to buy Apple's iPhone 4S.

It may seem obvious to some, but it's advice worth repeating as a public service announcement: ignore the recent discounts from Sprint Nextel and Apple on the iPhone 4S. If you're interested in an iPhone, wait a few weeks until the next iPhone is released, then make your call.

After Sprint dropped the price of its flagship phone to $149 from $199 last week, it is now bundling a $100 gift card to anyone who buys a smartphone online. Apple will reportedly match the deal by offering … Read more

Beware the allure of Apple's Retina Displays

Apple's Retina Displays are drop-dead gorgeous. But be careful what you wish for.

Like many, I got the third-generation iPad because of the 2,048-by-1,536-pixel-density Retina Display. And, like many, I didn't see a huge difference at first.

That was then. Now it's painful to pick up my Dell laptop with its 1,366x768-pixel 13.3-inch display and Windows 7 fonts (note: font-smoothing utilities go just so far).

And while my 11.6-inch MacBook Air fares better than the Dell (it packs the same number of pixels but into a smaller area giving it a higher PPI … Read more

Apple's iPhone 4S drops to $149 with Sprint

Apple fans may be quick to read into this: over the weekend, Sprint dropped the price of its iPhone 4S from $199 to $149.

Could this be in anticipation of the iPhone 5?

Sprint's $50 price cut, first reported on by AllThingsD, comes before competing carriers have dropped their prices. AT&T's iPhone 4S is still $199, as is Verizon's.

According to AllThingsD, rumor has it that the price slash is a Sprint promotion but with Apple's approval. A spokesperson for the carrier told CNET that the price drop is simply a back-to-school promotion.

Apple … Read more

Samsung will pay you up to $300 for your phone

Samsung Electronics is looking to press its momentum with the Galaxy S III smartphone.

The Korean electronics conglomerate said it will offer up to $300 for an existing smartphone if you switch to one of its phones. You can check out the offer here.

Samsung has emerged as a dominant player in the smartphone business, taking the crown away from Apple. While Apple has its limited iPhone lineup, Samsung has been able to take the lead on the back of a wide variety of smartphones. But its flagship Galaxy S III has proven to be a blockbuster around the world. … Read more

iPhone 4S gets wireless charging, thanks to modder

An ambitious tinkerer has bestowed the power of wireless charging upon his iPhone 4S, with a modification that sees Apple's prized smartphone pulled apart and put back together with all new components.

Essex, England-based Tanveer Islam is the chap behind the creative hack. He uploaded a video explaining exactly how to modify your iPhone, which will gain the power to charge itself without being tethered to a boring old power cable.

Read more of "iPhone 4S gets wireless charging thanks to UK modder," and see the instructional video, at Crave UK. … Read more

Cricket starts prepaid iPhone 4S sales

Cricket said there was a bit of buzz around its start of iPhone 4S sales today, with some customers lining up to buy before stores opened.

The wireless service is the first to offer a prepaid, no-contract iPhone, an expensive and unique device for the prepaid market.

The 16GB iPhone 4S costs $499.99, while the 8GB iPhone 4 costs $399.99. The phone comes with a $55 no-contract plan that includes unlimited calling and text messages. The plan also includes 2.3GB of data, after which the carrier will slow the connection down.

A Cricket representative said the phone … Read more