iOS software

5 things that surprised me about the iPhone 5

After a week of using the iPhone 5, I've posted my review of Apple's new phone on CNET. Which brings me to wondering: how much can a familiar-looking device that we've seemingly known about for months be capable of surprising anyone, much less a tech editor?

For me, the iPhone 5 surprised in the following ways.

The weight Shaving about an ounce off a phone's heft doesn't sound like a lot, and I've always been skeptical of incremental reductions (20 percent lighter!), but the first thing that shocked me when I picked up the … Read more

So, what's new? Comparing the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5

After months of rumors, endless "leaked" images, and tons of analyst reports, Apple finally introduced its latest smartphone, the iPhone 5 last week. In addition to its new look, it also received some hardware and feature updates. To see what changed and what stayed the same, CNET put together this handy comparison chart that stacks up the device with its previous iteration, the iPhone 4S. Take a look and be sure to read our full iPhone 5 review.

iPhone 4S &… Read more

Getting started with Paper for iPad

Some ideas are better scribbled down than typed out.

Paper basically turns your iPad into a cocktail napkin for jotting down sketches and ideas. The app is free, though there are a handful of in-app purchases that allow you to expand the tools in your palette, which turns that cocktail napkin into a blank canvas.… Read more

Arcade football games for iOS

We're now in the second week of the NFL football season, and if you're a fan of the game you probably already know when and where you're going to watch your favorite team play this weekend. But when it's not game watching time in the middle of the week, or even at halftime, these are some great games that make you a part of the action without getting too involved.

There are full American football game options at the App Store like Madden NFL 12 and Gameloft's NFL series, but neither are nearly as good as what you would find on a console and the touch-screen interfaces leave a lot to be desired. That's why instead of talking about those games here, I went with easier to pick up and play arcade-like football games that won't keep you glued to your iPhone for a long time.

This week's collection of iOS apps let you focus on playing as specific players on a football team. The first focuses on running, letting you dodge tackles, and even showboat as you run into the end zone. The second lets you play as a kicker, sending the football through the goal posts or trying to get the perfect punt right by the goal line. The third puts you in the shoes of a quarterback as you swipe to make perfect passes to moving receivers.… Read more

Ad tracking 'blocker' comes to iOS 6

Apple has built into iOS 6 a new toggle that will let you prevent advertisers from hitting you with targeted ads, but slow implementation of its new Advertising Identifier number means you could still see targeted ads on your iPhone for the foreseeable future.

First reported by 9to5Mac, the Limit Ad Tracking option is designed to prevent advertisers from tracking your behavior on the phone. It's a lot like a phone-based version of Do Not Track, except one that advertisers will be forced to obey since iOS is a proprietary system.

The toggle is available in iOS 6 general … Read more

Which phone should you buy?

This story originally published September 14, 2012, and updates often to reflect the arrival of new phones.

"Which phone should I buy?" This is the single most common question readers like you ask phone reviewers like us every day. With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One to join the BlackBerry Z10, Nokia Lumia 920 and 928, and Apple iPhone 5, the choices are more numerous than ever before.

On the bright side, options are a good thing -- if you're armed with the knowledge necessary to make smart shopping decisions. Sit tight as we lay out what you need to find the right mobile platform and model for you.… Read more

Apple lists where iOS 6 features are available (and not)

Apple's iOS 6 might come with over 200 improvements, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they're coming to an iPhone near you.

Apple has posted a list on its Web site showing which countries will be able to use some of its mobile operating system's latest features. The standard Maps application, for example, will be available all over the world, stretching from the U.S. to Latvia and Vietnam. However, the platform's 3D Buildings feature is available only to U.S.-based users. Its Traffic feature is available in 23 countries, including Australia, China, the … Read more

Apple showcases third-party apps on iPhone 5

By now, you know that today's Apple event gave us the iPhone 5, iOS 6, iTunes 11, and a couple of new iPods. But what you may have missed were the revamped apps that also made appearances at the show. Here's an overview of the impressive third-party titles that got some screen time at today's big Apple event.

Clumsy Ninja Developed by gamemaker Natural Motion, Clumsy Ninja is a silly, Talking Tom Cat-style game with a bit of unique artificial intelligence under the hood. It features a silly-looking ninja standing front and center, where you can … Read more

By adding new maps and more FaceTime, iOS 6 hits major marks (updated)

CNET's review for the iPhone 5 is here! Make sure to check back and see our review of iOS 6 as soon as it becomes publicly available.

Editors' note:This First Take was originally posted on June 11, 2012, at the time of the WWDC Keynote. We are updating this post with changes to the iOS announced today at the Apple event.

During the Apple event today, the company announced the latest version of the operating system that powers its popular mobile devices. Scott Forstall, Apple's SVP of iOS, promises that iOS 6 will bring 200 new features, including tighter Facebook integration, an empowered Siri voice assistant, and the capability to conduct FaceTime calls over a cellular network.

Yet, it's Apple's new Maps app that was easily the star of the show. Created by the company, the app finally adds turn-by-turn directions along with info cards for businesses, a "flyover mode" when searching for an address, and a full 3D satellite view that displays buildings, terrain, and landmarks. There will be much more, of course, but even at this early point it's clear that Apple has filled a few gaping holes on our iOS wish list.… Read more

Apple takes wraps off iPhone 5, 4 inch screen and all

As expected, Apple has announced the iPhone 5.

The object of much anticipation and speculation over the last several months, the iPhone 5 delivers most of what industry observers had expected. The smartphone is made of glass and aluminum and all of the buttons are in the same places.

According to Apple, the device is 18 percent thinner than the iPhone 4S, measuring just 7.6mm. It's also 20 percent lighter than its predecessor at 112 grams. The company is calling the aluminum backplate -- which has been shown in several leaked images over the last several weeks -- … Read more