iPhone 5s motion sensors delivering inaccurate readings: Report

The motion sensors on Apple's iPhone 5s are not working properly and delivering inaccurate results, if a new report is to be believed.

The various sensors of the phone, including the Level, Gyroscope, Compass, and Accelerometer, were put to test by Gizmodo, and the site found out that the readings were way off compared to the ones taken by the iPhone 5's sensor. Both the phones were running iOS 7, which implies that it's not a software problem and cannot be fixed through an update.

The site found a major difference between the iPhone 5s' internal inclinometer/ level readings and a real measurement of inclination. Compared to a Stanley spirit level, the iPhone 5s level's reading in iOS 7 compass software was 2-3 degrees off. The reading was accurate on the iPhone 5. The results were similar even on a third party app. Same was the case with the Gyroscope impacting gameplay on the phone.

Testing the Compass, Gizmodo found out that there was a difference of 8-10 degrees between the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5. Compared to a real compass both the phones' readings were off but iPhone 5's reading was more accurate. This issue could affect mapping and navigation apps leading to differences in location detection.

The iPhone 5s' Accelerometer registered more latent motion than the iPhone 5's Accelerometer. This would again impact gaming and motion tracking-based fitness apps.

It's also possible that the iOS 7 software is not accurately calibrating the iPhone 5s' sensors for which a firmware update bringing a fix could be released. However, different users are reporting different levels of discrepancies on forums. It's also possible that the sensors have not been calibrated properly in the factory, as the report notes. 

iPhone 5C packaging, documentation pictured

iPhone 5C or the low-priced iPhone has been the subject of different leaks in the past. Continuing with the series of leaks that have hit the internet before Apple’s whispered September 10 iPhone event, new pictures of Apple’s alleged 5C iPhone 5C have surfaced online.

We had seen alleged pictures of plastic of plastic retail packaging features white plastic boxes marked ‘iPhone 5C’ with the Apple logo, in July. This time, the iPhone 5C is present inside the same iPod touch-like box complete with a transparent plastic lid.

The iPhone 5C pictured inside the box, matches with the previously leaked images of the phone, and features iOS 7 with the wallpaper of the phone matching the color of its Red (Pinkish Red) back casing. The site also offers similar pictures of the White, Yellow and Blue iPhones.

The pictures, first posted on iapps.im, also ‘confirm’ that the front panel of the iPhone 5C would be Black. In addition to this low quality photo, purported images featuring some documentation that comes with the iPhone 5C and the phone’s SIM-eject tool have also appeared on Chinese micro blog Weibo. The pictures were spotted by 9 to 5Mac.

The documentation captured in the pictures features the same Black front panel that we’ve seen in previous leaks and shows the iPhone 5C running iOS 7. It also suggests a White wallpaper, colour matched with the phone’s White back. The website notes that the documentation is semi-oval shaped, to fit the semi-oval plastic box revealed in other images. 

The low-cost iPhone or iPhone 5C has leaked several times alleged pictures of the iPhone 5C have revealed a plastic polycarbonate body back panel in White, Blue, Red, Yellow and Green colors, a round camera lens and LED flash, Apple logo and iPhone branding. It’s expected to be powered by a dual-core CPU, and have a  4-inch screen, just like the iPhone 5, with a resolution of 640x1136 pixels. The iPhone 5C is rumored to have 1GB of RAM, and come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage variants. It’s also likely to sport an 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.2 megapixel front camera and run iOS 7 complete with Siri which would be available in English, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian and Spanish.

A number of rumors including some y credible publications and journalists have confirmed September 10 as the most probable date for Apple hosting a special event to announce the ne iPhone(s). Apple has not sent any invitations o announced an event officially, yet though it typically sends out official invitations only a week before the actual event, so one can expect them any time.

A number of rumours including some by credible publications and journalists have confirmed September 10 as the most probable date for Apple hosting a special event to announce the new iPhone(s). Apple has not sent any invitations or announced an event officially, yet, though it typically sends out official invitations only a week before the actual event, so one can expect them any time.

Purported press image of iPhone 5C appears online

While the purported iPhone 5C, Apple's low-cost iPhone, has made several online appearances, including in some really high resolution pictures and videos that surfaced on the Internet, a website now claims to have published the official press shots of the phone.

Romania based publication, Mobilissimo.ro, claims that a Romanian retailer sent a couple of press shots of the iPhone 5C to the website.

The press photo features the White coloured variant of the iPhone 5C running iOS 7.The front panel is also in White unlike some previous leaks, while the back of the phone features the same plastic polycarbonate body panel that appeared in recent leaks, in glossy White, complete with a round camera lens and LED flash, Apple logo and iPhone branding.

The left-hand side of the phone features the same pill shaped volume rocker and mute keys that had appeared online, in a recent leak. These are also White in colour.

In addition to the press pictures, the site has also posted images of what the Romania-based dealer claims as iPhone 5C dummies placed in shop shelves till the actual phone arrives. The dummy features a White plastic power button. At the bottom of the dummy phone, there's a small hole for the second microphone, next to the 3.5mm headset jack port, two screw holes with the Lightning connector port at the centre, and four holes for the speaker towards bottom right. This is in line with the pictures that appeared recently on Sonny Dickson's website.

It's interesting to note that the low-cost iPhone has leaked several times but the pictures were of pre-production units and did not feature cut outs for the power and volume rocker keys.

Other alleged pictures of the iPhone 5C have revealed a plastic polycarbonate body back panel in White, Blue, Red, Yellow and Green colours. However, we've not heard much about the specifications of the phone till now.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5C along with the iPhone 5S, the next generation iPhone, on September 10 at an event in San Francisco. It's worth pointing out that Apple has not sent any invitations or announced an event officially, yet, though it typically sends out official invitations only a week before the actual event.

Apple new iPhone launch date is revealed

Apple shares gained ground Monday after a report saying the California tech giant was set to announce its next iPhone at an event September 10. In late morning trade, Apple shares were up 2.04 percent at $463.88.

The Dow Jones news website AllThingsD reported Sunday that Apple scheduled an event next month where it will announce its newest iPhone in an effort to regain ground lost to Samsung and other smartphone makers.

Details were not clear, but speculation has centered around whether Apple would shift its strategy to include a lower-cost handset to appeal to more consumers, especially in emerging markets.

Trip Chowdhry, analyst at Global Equities Research, said Apple appeared to be preparing "to declare thermo-nuclear war on Android," referring to the Google mobile operating system which has become dominant in the smartphone market.

Chowdhry said the launch "may be massively successful and probably one of the most successful launches."

"If Apple launches a cheaper iPhone, Apple will immediately gain market share against Android, as in many parts of the world, consumers are not well informed and are buying Android phones thinking that they are buying a cheaper iPhone," he said in a note to clients.

A recent IDC survey showed Apple's share of the global smartphone market slipped to 13.2 percent in the second quarter, from 16.6 percent a year ago, while Android's share rose to 79.3 percent.

Report : Apple to unveil next iPhone on September 10: Report

Apple Inc, the world's largest technology company, is expected to present its redesigned iPhone in September, according to technology blog AllThingsD.

The blog cited unnamed sources as saying that Apple will unveil its next smart phone at a special event on Sept 10.

The company was not immediately available for comment.

Apple's iPhone launches are among the most-watched events on the tech industry calendar.

Reuters reported in June that Apple is exploring launching iPhones with bigger screens, as well as cheaper models in a range of colors, over the next year, according to several sources with knowledge of the matter.

The new iPhone would hit store shelves in time for the crucial holiday season.

Apple announces trade-in program for third-party chargers

Fears of dangerous shocks caused by unsanctioned chargers for Apple gadgets prompted the company on Monday to announce a trade-in program.

Beginning on August 16, people with counterfeit or third-party power adaptors will be able to swap them for certified Apple models for the local equivalent of $10.

"Recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third party adapters may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues," Apple said in a blog post.

"While not all third party adapters have an issue, we are announcing a USB Power Adapter Takeback Program to enable customers to acquire properly designed adapters."

People must bring the unwanted chargers along with a corresponding iPod, iPad, or iPhone to an Apple Retail Store or to an authorized Apple service provider.

 

Apple said device serial numbers need to be valid to qualify for the adapter trade-in program, which will continue until October 18.

Last month, Apple began investigating reports that a women in China was electrocuted while using an iPhone that was charging.