First iPhone 5 reportedly unboxed

A set of images reportedly showing the first unboxing of Apple's iPhone 5 hit the web on Tuesday, revealing the new handset's eco-friendly packaging is very similar to that of previous generation devices like the iPhone 4S and 4S.

The pictures, provided to BGR, detail the internal layout of the iPhone 5's compact box, complete with Apple's EarPods in a protective case, an AC adapter, the new Lightning to USB cable and the smartphone itself.

Opening the box reveals the iPhone 5, as in previous models, and the accessories are once again located beneath the handset, though the arrangement has been slightly tweaked. As seen in the pictures, the EarPods are situated in a custom-shaped cavity at the top of the box, the AC adapter is nestled in a molded middle section with prong supports and the Lightning cable takes its place in a simple compartment at the bottom of the package.

In comparison, the internal layout used with the iPhone 4S merely separated the accessories with standard dividers, the exception being a cutout for the AC plug to ensure the part didn't shift during shipping.

Perhaps the most obvious change is the switch to a new black box that matches the "Black and Slate" iPhone 5 colorway. It is not yet known if the "White and Silver" version will ship in the usual white packaging.

The set of photos also included a single image comparing the size of the iPhone 5 and previous generation iPhone 4S.

Apple is set to roll out the iPhone 5 this Friday after a record-breaking two million units were preordered in the handset's first 24 hours of availability.

iOS6 vs. Android 4.1 Jellybean vs. Windows Phone 8

Operating System wars

Apple continue to set the world alight, with the iPhone 4S and iPad selling in record numbers across the globe. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean takes the Cupertino giant head on, and with 400m Android devices (up from 100m last year) and 1m daily activations (up from 400k), it looks like it can.

Jellybean is not the revolution we expected, but I also expected the iPhone 5, and look how the iPhone 4S turned out. Android 4.1 is faster, smoother and much better looking, and it cracks the distinction between Phone and Tablet devices in a way it hasn't before.

With Windows Phone 8 now announced, the key to Android's success will be how it updates its devices. OTA updates are due mid July on selected devices, but the key is Google releasing the platform kits to partners. Thankfully it's now doing this sooner, so devices should be updated a lot quicker after the initial software release.

Alleged iPad Mini

A new mockup of the Apple's so-called "iPad mini" showed up on a Chinese website early Tuesday, with the non-working unit appearing to have a fabricated front glass attached to the device's rumored backplate.

While the legitimacy of the mockup is highly suspect, the unit is one of the first physical representations of how Apple's rumored 7.85-inch tablet may look if and when it is released this fall.

Given that there are many inconsistencies with the mockup and previous "leaks," the validity of the unit, including the front assembly's bezel, cannot be confirmed by AppleInsider. As such, the images are presented here only for purposes of discussion.

The apparently non-functioning model, first discovered on website BoLoPad.com by nowhereelse.fr, seems to be based on the purportedly leaked iPad mini backplate seen earlier this month, except Tuesday's images show what looks to be markings for storage capacity, model specifications and governmental certifications.

Centered near the top of the backplate is a small hole or opening, the purpose of which is unknown.

Rounding out the parts seen on the unit's backside are volume rocker and power buttons, a rear-facing camera and hold switch, all of which are most likely non-functional and may not even be official Apple parts.

On the front is a front assembly possibly made from glass, with bezels strikingly similar to those seen in a mockup from iMore in August, though the no light seems to emanating from the screen, possibly pointing to a paper placeholder. Sitting in the center of the top bezel is a hole for a front-facing camera, though the positioning is not centered, being slightly higher than the part seen on the 9.7-inch iPad.

courtesy : Appleinsider

iPhone 5 starts breaking records

Apple's iPhone 5 has been called the most anticipated smartphone launch in history, and the device's pre-order numbers have proven this to be true. After completely selling out in just one hour on Sept. T14, the iPhone 5 set a new pre-order record for both AT&T and Apple. Apple fans ordered more sixth-generation iPhones from AT&T than any other previous model during its first day of sales and over the weekend.

 The Cupertino, Calif.-based computer design company also shared its sales numbers on Monday, noting that more than two million iPhone 5 devices were pre-ordered within the first hour of availability. This figure more than doubled the pre-launch sales of Apple's iPhone 4S, which was released nearly one year ago.



"iPhone 5 pre-orders have shattered the previous record held by iPhone 4S and the customer response to iPhone 5 has been phenomenal," Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said in a statement. "iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet, the most beautiful product we've ever made, and we hope customers love it as much as we do."



The official retail release date for Apple's iPhone 5 is Sept. 21, but customers that pre-ordered the device for delivery shouldn't expect to snag their shiny new Retina Display smartphone on launch day. Phones ordered online aren't expected to arrive until Oct. 5, as Apple's website says, and iPhone 5 handsets are predicted to be sold out by Sunday following its retail launch.