Since 2007, we’ve been reviewing the best jailbreak sites and software on the web. So now friends, it is time for yet another installment of our favorite jailbreak programs. We’ve purchased memberships, used the software, and given tech support and customer service the go-around. A few were eliminated right away, as unlike their claims, they did not actually offer a jailbreak that worked.

Note: If you don’t have the time or inclination to read the in-depth review, you can click here now to skip to our most highly-rated, trusted site right now.

We tried to troubleshoot buggy software using tech support, and in some cases, asked for our money back. In the end, we completely scrutinized 15 sites and narrowed them down to three of the best. These sites had a legitimate jailbreak through iOS 6.1 for all iDevices through iPhone 5, and automated, easy-to-use software installations. Other standards (see below) were good to excellent. And indeed, we did determine a winner among the three which offered the highest-level software, tech support, customer guarantee, and professionalism.

The following is a list of the criteria we used to rate these sites:

  1. Product Satisfaction (i.e. the site delivers as promised)
  2. Software ease of use
  3. Security/information protection
  4. Level of tech support/customer service offered by site
  5. Risk-free/Money-back guarantee in place
  6. Professional-looking member area

1) Jailbreak Plus – Rating: 9.5/10

This site was the only one which passed all criteria on our checklist with ease. Without a doubt, this site has quickly become the most How to Jailbreak iPhone 5popular jailbreak site on the Internet – and not without good reason. Their software is easy to use, fast, and extremely effective. AND if can jailbreak ALL iDevices through iOS 6.1 completely untethered.

While their homepage may not be the greatest-looking (hence the 9.5 stars out of 10) their members area is great. They also offer a few bonuses. Here’s how it works:

  1. Choose your package.
  2. Purchase membership.
  3. Sign into the member area.
  4. Select your device and download the software.
  5. Use the tutorial provided for easiest results.

Cydia can be running in under six minutes from the time you purchase your membership. That’s now fast this thing works.

The site offers a jailbreak for all of the most popular devices, and is 100% VERIFIED. That means you won’t receive a bunch of error messages when you reboot your phone and then end up panicking.

In addition, the site was determined to be secure, and accepts both Paypal and credit cards through an https connection. Your information is protected via a Verisign firewall (as is current industry standard).  Additionally, checkout is embedded on the site itself, so there is no third-party payment middle man to worry about. Merchants who are Paypal/Visa/Mastercard verified ensure that refunds are easily issued and are prepared to do so if necessary.

And finally, we gave customer service a go. We send a message indicating that we were having a problem with the Cydia store loading (which of course, wasn’t actually true) and asked tech support to help us get on track. In just over a half-an-hour, they replied with a step-by-step custom fix it guide, including screen shots. The techie assigned to us appeared to be a native English speaker, and it’s always a bonus when you don’t have to talk to some guy from India whose English fluency seems dubious.

In the end, we feel very comfortable recommending this site as our #1 choice, due to their professionalism, trustworthiness, security, and customer support.

Click Here Now to Check Them Out for Yourself!

 

2. Jailbreak Unlock – Rating: 8/10

This site came in a solid 2nd place with regard to our criteria. They’re a great company, and their site is actually a little nicer looking than Jailbreak Plus. But there were a few points that led them to get one point less, which we’ll discuss in a moment. iPhone Jailbreaking Cydia

Not unlike Jailbreak Plus, Jailbreak Unlock offered a relatively easy jailbreak solution, compatible with nearly all models and software versions. We say “relatively” easy, because the process is a bit more involved. The tutorial was nearly 2 pages in length, and sometimes screen shots were unclear, making it difficult to discern what was happening in the picture. The software itself took just under 12 minutes to complete, and although still pretty darn fast, it could not complete with Jailbreak Plus in terms of time.

We didn’t use cost as a factor in our review categories, but it is worthwhile to note that the price was also a little higher on this software. In addition, there were multiple upsells, which are likely unnecessary, and therefore, tainted our overall impression of them.

Their purchase process is also secure (using Verisign) ensuring safe transactions, and like our top pick, they are Paypal verified and have their own merchant account with major credit card companies.

The test question sent to customer service was a little different than we used for Jailbreak Plus. This time, we played really dumb, and indicated that we were unsure which iOS was installed on our device. In about 6.5 hours, we received a reply. While their response time was not terrible, it was still far under what we experienced with our top pick. We did deem their response helpful, however, and despite its faults, this site remains among the best jailbreakers we have so far encountered.

Click Here Now to Check Them Out for Yourself!

3) iJailbreak Tool – Rating: 6/10

Probably the best thing about this product is that is actually works, which is more than we could say for many of the jailbreak iOS 6 Jailbreaking for Select iDevicesprograms we sampled. Other than that, there’s nothing too spectacular about it. It took over 30 minutes to complete the jailbreak, and at some points we had to wonder if the program had locked up. Also, the instructions weren’t the clearest, and for the price, one should expect a better tutorial. Finally, there was no jailbreak available for iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 as of yet.

When contacted about the imaginary Cydia issue, the customer service response time and subsequent help was adequate and reasonably helpful. However, we noticed that the number for tech support was in India. This is not unusual at all for these sites to outsource their customer service cheaply, but the end result is that you often get a non-native English speaker with a thick accent that you are not likely to understand clearly.

They use a secure server over https, but do not have their own credit card merchant accounts, and instead use a third-party payment processor. They also do not appear to be using Verisign to protect data. That said, if for some reason our top 2 picks disappear someday, it may be a viable solution for some, albeit an imperfect one.

Click Here Now to Check Them Out for Yourself!

In summary, we spent quite a bit time researching jailbreaking sites, and this is the best results we could provide our readers with. I might even say that they fall into Good, Better, and Best – that is, iJailbreak Tool, Jailbreak Unlock, and finally, Jailbreak Plus respectively. Undoubtedly, we recommend the latter as the best option, and unless something strange happens, there is really no reason to explore beyond option #2. If for some strange reason Jailbreak Plus does not work for you, at least you have the comfort of knowing there’s a money-back guarantee. This means you know your not going to throw your money away, and that the funds can be re-used to explore a secondary option (such as Jailbreak Unlock).

Finally, please note that trying to do a jailbreak yourself is not advised. It’s not worth the time or the energy, particularly when you have an expensive device at stake.

 

See you later!

Paul Evartson

Editor

iPhone4S5Jailbreak.Com

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Jailbreak iPhone 5 iOS 6

If you have an iPhone 5, also known as iPhone 4S, and you want to run iOS 6 to
see what the fuss is all about, but you don’t want to be limited by Apple and its
approved apps in the iTunes app store, then you may want to consider jailbreaking
iOS 6.

At this time, iOS 6 is in beta build 2, which means progress has been made, but it is
not yet available to the public. Currently, only developers can access this operating
system. If you are not a developer, we advise you to jailbreak with caution as a
wrong move may render your phone useless. Since Apple does not provide service
or honor warranties to jailbroken devices, you may be out of luck if anything goes
wrong!

Installing iOS 6 on Your iPhone 5

If you are not currently running iOS 6 on your device, you will need to make sure
you update it before you start the process. You can do this using either iTunes or
OTA. Once you have iOS 6 Beta 2 installed on your phone, you can move to the steps
below to start the jailbreak process.

Jailbreaking iOS 6 on Your iPhone 5

Start by downloading RedSn0w 0.9.13dev2 (Mac version.)

After the program is downloaded, launch it by double clicking the RedSn0w icon.
First, you will need to select “Extras” so you can point the phone to the right IPSW to
jailbreak the correct version of iOS 6.

Choose the “Select IPSW” so you can manually specify the right firmware. Select the
firmware for Beta version 1 (while this seems counterintuitive, it is correct!) and
then click “Back.”

Now, you will select the “Jailbreak” option. This will allow the program to process
the firmware. You will see a screen with a few options. Because Cydia is not yet
available for this jailbreak, you will need to make sure you have the “Install SSH”
option selected before you continue.

Next, you will want to put your phone in DFU mode by following these steps:

Step One: Hold your power button down for five seconds.
Step Two: Without letting go of the power button, start holding the home button
down for 10 seconds.
Step Three: Without letting go of the home button, release the power button.
Continue to hold the home button for another 15 seconds.

When you phone is in DFU mode, the jailbreak process will begin. Do not use the computer or do anything to interrupt the process. When the phone is jailbroken, it will reboot.

An important note about tethered jailbreaks: You will have to connect your
phone to your computer every time it loses power and run RedSn0w. While
you won’t have to run the jailbreak process each time, you will need to select
the “Extras” button and choose “Just boot.” This will be required to reboot your
phone. This will be necessary every time until an untethered jailbreak becomes
available for your device.

 

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News on Jailbreak iPhone 5

Reports by Planetbeing, the famous iOS hacker, indicate that work being done on an iPhone 5 jailbreak is yielding results, and thus, nearing success on a tethered jailbreak – but not without a catch. If you aren’t aware, Planetbeing was part of the team who created the iPhone 4S jailbreak, and is now working on the iPhone 5 iOS 6 jailbreak. Interestingly, the latter may actually work on the former as well.

planetbeing

However, this jailbreak comes with a caveat – an Apple Developer account is required to use it, and that is not something which is often required. Certainly, it is not convenient nor is it terribly accessible for the average consumer. Planetbeing’s Tweet sent on October 18th reads as “Upgraded the #failbreak with a kernel exploit so tweaks actually work on iPhone 5. :D Almost a full tethered JB, though need dev account.”

pod2g

Unfortunately, there have not been any forthcoming details regarding a tentative time line for the jailbreak iPhone 5 release, anything else about the Apple Developer account, or what its necessity may imply. In reality, a tethered jailbreak may be imminent or on the horizon, but that does not mean it will released anytime soon. The need for an Apple Developer account might necessitate keeping the jailbreak internal for further work, or to continue seeking an untethered jailbreak. While a tethered jailbreak is better than nothing, an untethered jailbreak is always the goal, as it will allow user to jailbreak their devices after restarting without being tethered to a computer or losing functionality.

iOS 6 Jailbreak iPhone 5

If what Planetbeing says is true, and remains true in the future, this would be the first jailbreak which would necessitate an Apple Developer account. It is probably required to run code which the iPhone would normally not accept. In order to jailbreak, users may have to purchase a spot in the developer program, which costs around $100. This increases the overall cost of the jailbreak by some distance, and will likely mean fewer people would use the jailbreak as a result.

hack-in-the-box-iphone-5-jailbreak-ios-6-untethered-hacker

However, there is still the possibly that users would only be required to add their iPhone to the developer account. This option is for users who wish to try beta versions before release. The only additional cost would be to register the UDID (unique device identifier) which could be done for just a few dollars. Users are asked to wait for more information before making any decisions.

Apple iPhone 5 Jailbreak

In related news, other reports that jailbreak iPhone 5 progress is ongoing comes from pod2g, another well-known hacker who stated at a recent conference that a breakthrough could be just a few weeks away. Also, a video has surfaced which purports proof of the jailbreak, showing Cydia running on iOS 6. You can see unauthorized applications running on the iPhone 5, but no other information is available. This could be the jailbreak referred to by Planetbeing which requires an Apple Developer account.

Jailbreak the iPhone 5

As you may know, iOS 6 jailbreaks are already available for the iPod Touch, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 4, but unfortunately, they do not apply to the iPhone 4S/5, or iPads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Verizon iPhone 5 Carrier Update

Verizon iPhone 5 Carrier Update Carrier Unlock

Just about a week and a half after the iPhone made its way into the hands of Verizon Wireless customers, Apple released a carrier update to fix a bug. The bug? Some handsets were using cellular network data, even though they were set to use a Wi-Fi connection. Verizon has since issued an announcement saying those customers will not be charged for the unwarranted data use—as many customers took their phones into Verizon Wireless stores across the country, demanding a fix.

If your phone is one of the affected, here’s what you can do to install the update and solve the problem: 

  1. Select Settings > General > About.
  2. An alert will pop up on the screen that reads: “Carrier Settings Updated: To install important new settings, tap OK, then press and hold down the power button, drag the slider and restart.”
  3. Select OK to install the update.
  4. Hold the power button down until you see the “slide to power off” option come on the screen. Slide it to turn the phone off.
  5. Once the phone is off, hold the button down to turn it on again.

It is important to remember, to completely finish the update installation, the iPhone 5 must be powered down and back up again.

Some people say the issue was a result of the new iPhone, while others maintained it was an issue within the new operating system. It seems the issue lies in iOS 6, as people who run iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models started experiencing the same issue shortly after upgrading their devices to the operating system.

The issue does not appear to be specific to Verizon, either. There are reports of the same thing happening on AT&T, but these claims have yet to be verified. However, the update issued from Apple applies only to Verizon customers. If you are an AT&T customer experiencing this issue, take the phone to your nearest AT&T store to report the issue—and if it truly is a problem, Apple will likely release another carrier specific update to solve the problem.

We are not clear on whether or not Verizon will be refunding customers for the unintended data use—and Apple has yet to say what caused the issue.

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Jailbreak for the iPhone 5, Already?

iPhone 5 Cydia Jailbroken ChpwnBoth iPhone users and Apple know that shortly after an iPhone makes its debut on the market, a jailbreak will not be far behind it. In fact, just a couple of weeks after the new release, there appears to be a jailbreak for the iPhone 5. The news comes via a twitter photo, showing a screenshot of Cydia, on what veteran jailbreaker Grant Paul, AKA chpwn says is the new iPhone 5. This comes as a surprise to many, as there was a major setback in jailbreaking when a large piece of development code was sold with an iPhone, to an Apple employee.

For those who are unaware, Cydia is an app, as well as an app store, where people can download applications for their iPhones, iPads, and iPad Touches that are not approved for use by Apple. Cydia is required to run jailbreaks, but is frowned upon by Apple because it violates their terms of service.

While most “unapproved” apps will not damage your device, Apple provides no support for them, and if they determine your phone is damaged as a result of using unlicensed software, you will not able to turn in your insurance claim to replace your phone. While some claim simply restoring the phone to factory defaults will erase any evidence of prior jailbreaking, there are many people who will not take the chance. If you choose to jailbreak your iPhone 5, or any other Apple device, do so at your own risk, and be aware that you will no longer have a warranty. Keep in mind that you cannot get the Cydia app store from the Apple app store, so if it’s on your device, Apple will know it has been jailbroken.

While the news sounds promising and the photo appears to be legitimate, iPhone 5 users can’t rejoice yet—as we are nowhere near an actual jailbreak for the iPhone 5. Paul has not yet explained how he was able to pull off the jailbreak, so until he comes forward with his steps—we cannot really be sure the photo is real. Even if it is 100% legit and can be done right now, a lot more work needs to be done to refine the process to make sure it is replicable, and that anyone can do it.

Why then, was Paul able to get the job done? Well, we’re guessing from his years of experience running the well known jailbreaking website JailbreaKr which helps users learn how to jailbreak their smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices.

jailbrea.kr ios 6

The hack comes on the tails of an exploit discovered by two dutchmen last week at the iPhone 4S at the EUSecWest security conference. Since the iPhone 5 is not the only device that can run iOS 6, jailbreaks are already in place for the operating system. The catch is, right now, those jailbreaks only run on devices such as the iPhone 4S, and the most recent generation iPod Touch. Since the only real hardware difference between these devices and the iPhone 5 lies in the faster core processor, it stands to reason that applying the same technology should yield a result sooner rather than later.

Paul claims it didn’t take too long. In fact, he’s quoted as saying:

“I started working on it the day before the iPhone 5 was released, and I had my iPhone 4S jailbroken on iOS 6 in a few hours. Then, once I got an iPhone 5, it was even easier. It took just about half an hour from first turning it on to a jailbroken iPhone 5.”

Even though he admits it was easy for him to do, it does not sound like it would be easy for the average user. Paul also admits the jailbreak is not very stable or reliable, so there is more work to be done before it can go public.

How Hackers Jailbreak the iPhone 5

As soon as Apple releases a new device and/or operating system, thousands of hackers get to work to jailbreak it. It seems that the harder Apple works to tighten up the security vulnerabilities hackers use to get in, the harder the hackers work to move past them. All models have been jailbroken, with an untethered option (meaning you do not have to have your device connected to your computer to restart it) not far behind it—and just weeks after the iPhone 5 official release, there is one person claiming to have already jailbroken the device. Though more work needs to be done to stabilize the jailbreak, it is well on its way.

Just how does a hacker, or team of hackers develop a jailbreak for the iPhone? Let’s take a closer look.

The Issue

Hackers are not interested in the iPhone 5 itself, but rather the operating system it runs. iOS 6 is native to the iPhone 5, but many other Apple devices can upgrade to it, and once they do, existing jailbreaks will not work. They are also looking for a flaw in the processor, as this is a new technology for Apple products. It will take some time for them to work through the system to find the exploits they need to get in.

If history repeats itself, the iPhone 4S was the hardest device to crack, and each device becomes progressively more difficult to break. However, just because it takes hackers a longer time to do it, does not mean it will not be done.

Basically, to create the untethered jailbreak option, hackers will have to find a security issue within the iOS 6 kernel, which will then allow them to work around the built in security, and install a special piece of code in the boot software of the device, or the very first thing to start running on any iDevice when it turns on. The code will disable the default Apple security settings, to allow users to install Cydia apps—or those that are not approved by Apple for sale in the iTunes store. Disabling the security and running unauthorized apps voids the iDevice warranty as it is against Apple’s terms of service, and they will not provide support to users with jailbroken devices.

How Hackers Find the Kernel Exploit They Need

With programs such as Linux, or any open source software project, really, where the entire code base is visible to everyone who wants to try working on it finding exploits is easy. However, because the iOS 6 source code is not available to the public, the device is considered “locked down” and becomes that much harder to hack.

Stefan Esser Serial Cable to iPhone for Jailbreaking

But—the 30-pin connector at the bottom of the previous iPhone models can be used as a serial connection, with some items you can purchase for around $30. This serial connection allows hackers to run internal kernel debuggers—the same thing the Apple staff uses to find and fix bugs—to find the security vulnerability they need. This takes a lot of knowledge of software, so not just any average iDevice user can do it. The problem with this approach is—the new connector is only 9-pin, and will likely not have serial ports.

Hackers will have a long road ahead of them to create a stable jailbreak. How long do you think it will take?

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Apple Comes Out on Top with Apps in iOS 6

ios6-siri-moviesIt is no secret that there are more smartphone apps available for the iPhone in the iTunes store than for Android devices in the Google Play store, or for Microsoft, or Blackberry devices. But for more than the volume of options Apple provides to consumers, the competitors have reason to worry.

Though not originally open to third party developers, Apple has seen some moderate success with this option. Most third party app developers focus on what is lucrative for them—games and other forms of entertainment—rather than focusing on what can make the device a more powerful tool. As a result, Apple has taken to the task of partnering with other companies to provide a truly useful experience.

For instance, now in iOS 6, users can ask Siri about what movies are playing in nearby movie theaters. Then, they can use the new native Maps app to navigate to that theater, and they can use the built-in ability to purchase movie tickets to buy their tickets. Once they get to the movie theater, all they have to do is show the ticket on the screen, and they can go see their show. The entire process of going to see a new release has become simplified, not only for the viewer, but for the business as well.

No other platform can promise such convenience and usability—and Apple has been able to do this only by utilizing careful partnerships. We expect to see other smartphone platforms follow suite with future models, but even if they do, will they ever be able to top Apple’s success with this model?

While Apple still takes time to highlight applications from third party developers, their focus seems to be mostly on what they can do make the phone more useful, rather than what the third parties have to offer. Many developers would love to be able to get their hands on Siri to work integration in with their apps, but to stay ahead of the third party developer’s game, it is doubtful that Apple will release this any time soon, if at all.

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Will We See Google Maps On iPhone 5 iOS 6? Executive Chairman Says Not Anytime Soon. Jailbreak May Be Only Hope

Apple Maps Jailbreak

According to Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman, after Apple has eschewed the Google Maps app for an in-house developed alternative, Google itself is no longer making efforts to offer the application for the iPhone 5, now or anytime in the immediate future. The new mapping application launched by Google this month comes natively with its new mobile software platform update iOS 6.

However, in the aftermath, consumers have not taken well to the new application, which is based on a digital map maker’s data and Dutch navigation equipment. It appears that geographical errors are inherent in the application, and the features so beloved of Google Maps do not seem to be present.

Eric Schmidt told several reporters in Tokyo: “We think it would have been better if they had kept ours. But what do I know? What were we going to do, force them not to change their mind? It’s their call.”

According to CNN:

Here’s some bad news for the haters of iOS 6′s new maps : there is no Google equivalent waiting in the wings.

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt confirmed on Tuesday that his company has not submitted a mapping app of its own to Apple’s App Store, though he didn’t entirely rule out the idea.

“We have not done anything yet,” Schmidt said in reference to a rumored Google Maps application for iOS, according to Reuters .

“We think it would have been better if [Apple] had kept ours. But what do I know? What were we going to do, force them not to change their mind? It’s their call.”

Schmidt went on to say that Google is still open to partnering with Apple — “We welcome that” — but that Apple will ultimately do what it wants. He also pointed out that Google’s own offerings through Android have performed well, implying that dissatisfied iOS 6 users might consider making the switch.

Google Chief Eric Schmidt iOS 6

Schmidt did concede that Apple and Google were still communicating regularly on many different fronts. However, if Google maps is to be allowed as an available app in the App Store, that is a decision would have to be made primarily by Apple. He added that we [Google] “”…have not done anything yet” but still hoped that Apple and Google could remain partners in the future. “I’m not doing any predictions,” he noted. “We want them [Apple] to be our partner. We welcome that. I’m not going to speculate at all what they’re going to do. They can answer that question as they see fit.”

Historically, Apple and Google have collaborated, such as on the original iPhone in 2007, including Google Maps and YouTube as well. However, the relationship has been troubled since the advent and subsequent popularity of the Android mobile OS, which is now considered the leading smartphone platform worldwide.

Google provides Android free of charge and allows developers to add applications on an open basis, betting that by cultivating a bigger pool of users – now at over 500 million globally – it can make more money by providing search functions and selling advertising.

Despite the outcome, Schmidt offers that the numbers, however on their side: “Apple is the exception, and the Android system is the common model, which is why our market share is so much higher.” He also accused the media of being “obsessed with Apple’s marketing events and Apple’s branding” and that conversely, the Android OS was largely ignored.

Schmidt was in Japan announcing the release of the Nexus tablet, a Google device which was utilized to exhibit a new feature now inherent in Google Maps. The new function permits users to alternate an area view by simply moving in a “looking around” fashion, no screen touch needed. Schmidt said jokingly: “Take that Apple,” but abruptly added “That was a joke, by the way.”

Generally speaking, users are so far reporting unhappiness with the new mapping application, and are dumbfounded as to why Google Maps wasn’t at least offered in conjunction with the new and relatively untested system.

Late Breaking Update:

According to the Huffington Post, Google IS in fact developing a version of Google Maps that they plan to submit to the App store for iOS 6. Previously, there was some speculation that an iPhone 5 jailbreak might be the only way to side load Google Maps onto iOS 6, but it sounds like that may no longer be the case.

Here’s what the Huffington Post had to say:

There may be light at the end of the tunnel for iPhone users yearning for the return of Google Maps.

Google is developing a version of its popular Google Maps application  for iOS 6, Apple’s newest mobile operating system, according to reports in The Verge  and The New York Times .

iOS 6, which Apple released to the public last week, powers the iPhone 5 and is available as an update for users who also have iPads, iPod Touches and past models of the iPhone. Unlike previous versions of the mobile operating system — which included Google Maps for navigation — Apple chose to drop Google and go with a new “Maps” app, a service Apple built in conjunction with GPS mapping company TomTom.

It seems that Apple may have underestimated what it would take to put together a successful Map application. Google is obviously seizing the opportunity to recapture the Google Maps market share in iOS 6 with the problems that users have been having with Apple’s map applications. Stay tuned for updates as they’re released.

 

 

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iPhone 5 Photos Leaked Online Before Product Launch

With just a few weeks left before the iPhone 5 launch, it is no surprise photos of the device are being leaked online . Photos from a smartphone repair company, UBreakiFix, indicate the newest version of the phone will have a larger screen and a modified charging dock. The photos do not tell us much, but as we draw closer to the launch, we expect to see more details emerge.

Larger Screen Size

All previous versions of the iPhone have sported a 3.5’’ screen, where as the iPhone 5 is speciphone-5-to-release-in-september-says-german-carrier-mobilcom-debitelulated to have a 4’’ screen. The increased screen size is thought to be a result of competing with Google’s Android powered smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy S III features a 4.8’’ screen, and has proven to be a success with smartphone customers. The larger screen is thought to be one of the biggest features of the new device.

Other Features

Other features speculated to be part of the iPhone 5 include: 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) connectivity, a modified charging dock that uses fewer pins, a better quality battery, and NFC (near field communication) capabilities.

The overall phone is slimmer compared to previous models, despite using a larger screen size. This is also thought to be in part due to competition and trying to keep up with trends of small phones that pack a lot of punch in terms of features and display size.

Sales are Down, but…

Apple’s iPhone sales are down in recent months, in part due to competition from Google Android, but also because many potential customers are waiting for the release of the newer iPhone before making their purchase. This information won’t stop the Apple iPhone 5 launch from being the largest smartphone release in history, however. Reports indicate Apple expects to launch with 15 million handsets in their inventory. With an estimated 170 million customers across the globe coming out from under current cell phone service contracts within the second half of 2012, there is a great deal of potential for the new device to do well on the market.

The Wall Street Journal has reported Apple is preparing for the launch by offering deep discounts on the previous models, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. Two unnamed individuals in the interview say Apple is planning to match lower prices referenced by consumers from retail outlets, such Best Buy, Target and Sprint. At the customer’s request, Apple will offer a $49.01 discount on both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models, following an announcement from Sprint that they are reducing all iPhone prices by $50. This brings the prices to $49.99 for the iPhone 4 model, and $349.99, $249.99 or $149.99 respectively for the iPhone 4S models.

Apple has not confirmed that they are indeed implementing the discount program before the official iPhone 5 launch in September.

German Mobile Phone Carrier Says iPhone 5 Will Be Released in September

At this point, anyone who is interested in the iPhone 5 release date pretty much knows it is coming in September, but for skeptics who require more confirmation of the release, German mobile phone carrier Mobilcom Debitel has released a statement saying the new iPhone will be here in September.

The company website, features a red veil that appears to be covering the iPhone. Though written in German, the loose Google translation to English states: “Mobilcom-Debitel allows you to find free e-mail about everything worth knowing about iPhone.” It also says, “”Is it the summer temperatures, or is it the heat from the rumor mill, which increases the fan fever?” “Is coming soon, in the late summer, a new smartphone, the world eagerly awaits all.”

Hilariously poor written English aside, it is clear that cell phone carriers all over the world are receiving word about when the new phone will make its debut. The website goes on to say:

“The new smartphone special surprises? Perhaps a bigger screen of 4 inches or a thinner cell touchscreen? The world expects a faster processor or higher graphics performance? Maybe even a memory of 1 GB? It will be exciting…”

There’s also an option for people to sign up via email to stay up to date with the latest news and information about the iPhone 5, but anyone who has followed previous iPhone releases has heard that before.

Mobilcom-Debitel Not the Only Carrier to Hint at Release Date

The German phone carrier is not the only one that has hinted at a release date. Francis Shammo, Verizon’s CFO said in July there would be a new phone coming out in the fourth quarter. He said they have been working a lot over the past year and half to change their upgrade policies, including a $30 upgrade fee, to help address the ‘rumor mill’ of a phone coming out in the fourth quarter this year. He said a lot of people will be looking, but it is managed on a quarter-to-quarter basis.

Another source reports a “trusted source” from AT&T has said the company plans to launch the new iPhone in either the 3rd or 4th week of September. It’s speculated the launch will be announced on September 12, with it officially going on sale eight to nine days later, around Friday the 21st. The release date information comes from a source that has been accurate in the past.

Thanks to leaks from what is thought to be Apple’s foreign supply managers, we have seen images of prototypes, and have a decent idea of what to expect from the iPhone 5.

  • Expanded and changed speaker grill design
  • Moved the headphone jack to the bottom of the phone
  • Facetime camera now directly above earpiece
  • Added a camera opening on the back of the phone, between the camera lens and flash
  • Possible unibody metal back, to improve call reception.
  • New charging dock, with 9 pins instead of 30.
  • May be the first iPhone with 4G LTE connectivity support.
  • NFC capabilities for sharing photos, and allowing multi-player gaming.
  • May feature crack-proof glass.

No one really knows about the features until it gets here, but with several sources producing the same information originating from various other sources, it’s safe to say a September launch is definite.

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iphone 5 miniLacking iPhone 4 Features We’d Like to See in the iPhone 5

As the world prepares for the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 5 jailbreak to become available in September, many iPhone users are coming up with their own lists of features they would like to see in the new model. We are sure all iPhone users can come up with their own lists, but these seem to be among the most popular.

Power Saver Mode

There are ways to save battery power when it comes to the iPhone, but in all honesty, the power from the battery could be greatly improved. If you follow all the tips that are already out there to utilize more battery saving power, then you are going to spending a lot of time tweaking settings, and it does not need to be so time consuming for the user.

Offering a power saver mode would be a great feature. This would allow you to conserve battery power when you want to, so you can have the battery power when you need it. It is speculated that the iPhone 5 will have a more powerful battery, but with the additional new features and so forth, there is no real good indication of how long the battery will last between charges.

Burst Mode

The existing camera on the iPhone 4S is an excellent one. It takes amazing pictures when properly utilized. However, without a burst mode that allows it to shoot images continuously in a rapid succession, it is truly lacking. This feature would definitely put it far above all other smartphone digital cameras and give it a leg up on the competition.

Without a burst mode feature, you really have to focus on getting your camera operational at just the right moment to capture the best shot. It would be easier to use the camera to take several pictures at once and then choose the best shot after the fact.

 Improved Camera Integration with Facebook

iOS 6 is going to be tightly integrated with Facebook, much like iOS 5 is tightly integrated with Twitter. Many users hope that this integration will extend to the camera app, to allow them to more easily share their newly captured photos with their Facebook friends. It is highly likely that Apple will make this change for complete integration to allow better photo sharing.

 Improve the iTunes App

It’s not too difficult to display the artist and song title in the notifications window. When using the iTunes app to listen to music, this additional feature would certainly make the app more user friendly.

As we all anxiously await the release of the iPhone 5 next month, it is easy to sit and think about what is wrong with the current model. What other features would you like to see available in either the new model or the new operating system?

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Jailbreak iPhone 5 iOS 6What You Need to Know Before the iPhone 5 Release in September

 

On August 20, 2012, Apple made history by coming the most valuable publicly-traded company, ever. Based in California, Apple has no plans to cease growth any time soon. With the iPhone 5 release coming this September, and the iOS 6 operating system not far behind it, there is plenty of room for continued growth. Though iOS 6 betas are available for developers, there is still no official release date for iOS 6. As of right now, the two are thought to coincide and release on September 12, 2012. The release date also seems to coincide with the release of new iPad Mini and the next generation iPods, just in time for the holidays.

Here’s what you can expect as Apple releases a new iPhone and a major operating system upgrade at the same time.

No Google Maps or YouTube

Previous iPhones and iOS versions have had native Google Maps and YouTube apps, but with iOS 6, this will not be the case. As Google and Apple continue to compete with not only cell phones but computers and tablets, Apple no longer wants to use their apps. They are currently in the process of developing a rather advanced mapping system, complete with 3D maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and fly-over tours of entire cities.

For faithful Google Map and YouTube users, these apps should still be available in the iTunes store, but they will have to be downloaded and installed manually.

Facebook Integration

Facebook will integrate much like Twitter has integrated with iOS 5.

 Passbook

Passbook will provide one place for users to get access to all their passes, be they boarding passes or concert tickets. Coupons will also be included.

Siri Updates

Siri will be available for iPad. With the new updates, you will be able to get updates on your favorite sports games, tweet, launch applications, and even make restaurant reservations with your voice.

 New Phone App Features

Now you will be able to set reminders so you don’t forget to call people back. You’ll also be able to send messages instead of calling people. Perhaps best of all, you can use a “Do not disturb” setting that will stop alerting you of notifications.

 Facetime Chat Via 3G

In previous operating systems, Facetime chat was only available when you were on a wi-fi connection. With iOS 6, users will now be able to use their 3G service provided by their cell phone company to use facetime chat.

 Mail VIPs

This feature will enable you to mark certain senders as important, and when this happens, all messages from them will be starred.

iCloud Tabs

This feature will make Safari available across all iCloud devices.

Guided Access

This feature will enable you to “lock” an app while you’re using it, so you can’t access other controls.

Photo Stream

This will make sharing photos with your friends even easier.

Apple fans will surely rejoice over the new device, but for now, we will just have to wait to see what the new iPhone 5 and iOS 6 brings.

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A Closer Look at the iPhone 5, Due Out This September

August 27, 2012

A Closer Look at the iPhone 5 – Due to Be Released This September   With just a few weeks before Apple is expected to make the iPhone 5 announcement on September 12th 2012, there is a lot of speculation about how it will look and what it will do. Right now, it’s thought that [...]

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